Former India Batting Coach Vikram Rathour Joins New Zealand Support Staff For Aghanistan Test

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour has been added to New Zealand's coaching staff for the Blackcaps' upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan in India.

New Zealand squad which arrived in Delhi on Thursday (September 5) will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan before heading to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. Rathour joins the New Zealand coaching staff just for the Afghanistan Test amid reports of job at the an IPL team.

Rathour had a successful run as India's batting coach under head coach Rahul Dravid. His tenure ended after India's T20 World Cup win in June this year. According to reports, Rathour could follow Dravid and join him at Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2025.

Before that news could be official, Rathour is now set to be part of the Kiwis coaching staff alongside Sri Lanka spin great Rangana Herath, who has been added to the New Zealand support staff for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and the series in Sri Lanka.

The only Test against the Afghans will be held at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground from September 9 to 13. The Kiwis are also due to play a three-Test series against India in October-November.

Rangana Herath added as NZ spin bowling coach

Herath has been appointed for Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as New Zealand's spin bowling coach. The addition of Rathour and Herath was announced by New Zealand Cricket on their website.

"Sri Lankan spin maestro Rangana Herath has been appointed as spin-bowling coach for the three upcoming Tests in Asia, replacing former Pakistan spinner and coach Saqlain Mushtaq who was originally announced to fill the temporary role before pulling out to take up a position with the Pakistan Cricket Board," New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.

Head coach Gary Stead said, "We're really excited to introduce Rangana and Vikram into our Test group." "Both men are held in high regard in the world of cricket and I know our players are really looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them."

Stead hoped Herath's expertise as a left-arm spinner will help New Zealand's Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra during the next few months when the Kiwis will be playing games in the Asian sub-continent.

"For our three left-arm orthodox spinners in particular, Ajaz, Mitch and Rachin, having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the sub-continent will be hugely beneficial," he said.