Indian pace bowlers Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh are set to extend their stay in New Zealand to support the Indian Test squad's training ahead of the upcoming World Test Championship series. Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed the development on Monday, November 9, 2026, as the Indian team manages logistical transitions between its white-ball assignments and the red-ball campaign scheduled to begin on November 19.
The three bowlers are currently part of the squad contesting a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with the third fixture scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, in Hamilton. According to Kotak, their presence in the nets is designed to assist the Test team in their final preparations. While the ODI side continues its limited-overs commitments, the designated Test players will shift their focus to Wellington, where a dedicated training camp is set to commence on November 11.
The shift in team structure involves several key players moving to the capital city following the third ODI. Among those heading to Wellington for the camp are captain Shubman Gill, senior batter KL Rahul, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and pacer Anshul Kamboj. Kotak expressed optimism regarding the transition, noting that the team expects to complete five or six high-intensity practice sessions before the first Test match, aiming to ensure the players are fully prepared for the challenging conditions ahead.
The coaching staff will also undergo a split to manage the overlapping schedules. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to remain with the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs, which are slated for November 13 and 15 in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. Assistant coach Sairaj Bahutule is also expected to stay with the limited-overs group, while bowling coach Morne Morkel and other support staff members are scheduled to travel to Wellington to oversee the preparations for the Test squad.
Kotak emphasised that these arrangements remain subject to final adjustments by head coach Gautam Gambhir, depending on tactical requirements. The primary objective remains maintaining player fitness and ensuring the squad benefits from high-quality practice sessions on conditions similar to those anticipated during the Test matches. Kotak noted that the current surfaces in New Zealand, which feature between 12 and 14 millimetres of grass, have provided valuable preparation for the team, offering insights into the seam-friendly conditions they expect to encounter during the five-day games.
The Indian team also credits the recent unofficial Tests between India A and New Zealand A for providing the squad with a significant competitive advantage. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Prasidh Krishna gained critical experience against the local conditions during that series. This exposure has reportedly helped the bowlers identify the correct lengths and lines to target, while also assisting the batters in adapting to the lateral movement provided by the New Zealand tracks. As the team pivots to red-ball cricket, the integration of these learnings remains a focal point for the coaching staff.
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