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The former India batsman and wicketkeeper Dinesh
Karthik has been selected in the squad’s coaching group for the first nine days
of the tour and will help with England Lions preparations in India later this
week.
Following his stints on two tours of England in 2007
and 2018, as well as the 2019 World Cup, Karthik established a prosperous
career for himself in the media, where he currently works as a commentator for
Sky Sports.
Working under head coach Neil Killeen, with full-time
assistants Richard Dawson and Carl Hopkinson, and former England spinner Graeme
Swann joining the tour as a mentor, he will serve as a batting consultant for
the team, helping to share his knowledge of Indian conditions.
In addition, Karthik’s assignment will cover for Ian
Bell, the other batting consultant for the Lions, who will join the team on
January 18 following his conclusion as assistant coach of the Melbourne
Renegades in the Big Bash League of Australia.
“It’s great to have such a strong coaching group
supporting our players for what should be an exciting challenge versus India
A,” Mo Bobat, England Men’s Performance Director, said. “The group
has a deep and diverse set of experiences and expertise.
“Neil Killeen did an excellent job leading the
Lions in Sri Lanka last year and will assume head coach responsibilities
again.”
The senior squad’s five-Test trip of India, which
starts on January 25 and consists of three four-day matches against India A in
Ahmedabad, will coincide with this tour.
“Ian Bell and Graeme Swann have spent time around
our Lions environments over the past year and will be well-placed to continue
supporting the players, many of whom they already know well,” Bobat added.
“They both bring fantastic experiences to their respective coaching and
mentoring roles.
“Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson have extensive
pathway experience and bring with them an England senior coaching perspective,
and recent experience of Indian conditions.
“And it’s fantastic to have Dinesh Karthik with
us for a part of our prep period and leading into the first Test. I’m sure the
lads will love spending time with him and benefiting from his experience of
what it takes to be successful at Test level in India.”