New Zealand rope in Herath and Rathour for Afghanistan Test

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour and former Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath have joined the New Zealand backroom staff for their one-off Test against Afghanistan in India. 

The New Zealand Test team is already in India to play Afghanistan at their home ground in Greater Noida. The Test against the Afghans, beginning September 9, will be followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka. Then, another stint in India awaits them in October, when they are scheduled to play three Tests against India beginning October 16. 

Rathour, who opened the batting for India in six Tests in 1996, was an integral part of the Indian coaching setup under Rahul Dravid as a batting coach in the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning campaign. He has joined the Blackcaps for a one-off Test. 

Meanwhile, Herath has played 93 Test matches and picked 433 wickets for Sri Lanka. He has joined as the spin bowling coach and will be with the New Zealand Test side for their next three Tests in Asia (one against Afghanistan and two against Sri Lanka). He will replace former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who has taken up a role in Pakistan cricket. 

Kiwi head coach Gary Stead welcomed these appointments and is keen to implement the knowledge and insights shared by the two experienced professionals joining his backroom staff. 

"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 looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them," Gary Stead said. 

“For our three left-arm orthodox spinners, Ajaz, Mitch, and Rachin, having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the subcontinent will be hugely beneficial. Rangana has taken over 100 Test wickets in Galle, which is the venue of our two Tests against Sri Lanka, and so his knowledge of that venue will be priceless.”

New Zealand are set to travel to Sri Lanka after the Afghanistan Test, where they will play a two-match Test series against the home side and then return to India to play a three-Test series in October. 

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