Dinesh Karthik Joins England Lions Coaching Staff For India Tour

The 38-year-old is yet to announce his retirement from international cricket. He last played for India in a T20I against Bangladesh in 2022.

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 10 January 2024 8:08 pm

Dinesh Karthik gives a lot of credit to India coach Rahul Dravid.

India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has joined the England Lions' coaching staff for the India tour 2024, which starts with a two-day practice match in Ahmedabad on Friday. (More Cricket News)

During the nine-day tour, Karthik will assist the visitors as one of the batting consultants. Former England batter Ian Bell, who's currently in Australia as part of Melbourne Renegades's coaching staff in the Big Bash League, will link up with the squad on January 18.

Both will be working under head coach Neil Killeen, and alongside assistant coaches Richard Dawson and Carl Hopkinson. Former England spinner Graeme Swann will serve as a mentor during the tour.

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Karthik played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 60 T20Is for India in an international career spanning nearly two decades. The wicketkeeper-batter made his debut in an ODI match against England at Lord's in 2004. The 38-year-old is yet to announce his retirement from international cricket. He last played for India in a T20I against Bangladesh in 2022.

The Tamil Nadu captain in domestic cricket has since launched a successful career in the media, including as a commentator for Sky Sports.

"It's fantastic to have Dinesh Karthik with us for a part of our prep period and leading into the first Test," Mo Bobat, England Men's Performance Director, was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. "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."

The tour will overlap with the senior team's five-Test tour of India which starts on January 25.

England Lions squad: Josh Bohannon (c), Kasey Aldridge, Brydon Carse, Jack Carson, James Coles, Matt Fisher, Keaton Jennings, Tom Lawes, Alex Lees, Dan Mousley, Callum Parkinson, Matt Potts, Ollie Price, James Rew, Ollie Robinson.

England Lions tour of India 2024 schedule:

India A vs England Lions, 2-day practice match (Jan 12 - 13) at Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground, Ahmedabad;
India A vs England Lions, 1st unofficial Test (Jan 17 - 20) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad;
India A vs England Lions, 2nd unofficial Test (Jan 24 - 27) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad;
India A vs England Lions, 3rd unofficial Test (Feb 1 - 4) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

All matches start at 10:00 AM local time.