Narendra Hirwani hired as India’s spin consultant

It is no secret that India prides itself on consistently producing high quality spinners. Right from Erapalli Prasanna and Bishan Singh Bedi to Anil Kumble, and now Ravichandran Ashwin in the men’s team to Diana Edulji, Neetu David, Nooshin Al Khadeer and now Poonam Yadav in women’s cricket, India has produced some of the best spinners in the game. Considering the vital role that spinners play, particularly in the women’s game, the Indian team management have chosen to to hire Nirendra Hirwani, former India international, as a spin consultant.

Hirwani, a former leg-spinner, is currently working as the spin coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He played 17 Tests and 18 ODIs for India between 1988 and 1992.

Hirwani will not be taking the job full-time, but instead will travel with the team on select assignments, starting with the home series against South Africa in September, Press Trust of India reported.

“It is not a full-time role since he is busy at the National Cricket Academy. He will travel with the team on and off. He also worked with them briefly during the team’s recent camp at NCA,” a BCCI official told PTI on Thursday.

The talk of hiring spin consultant gathered steam when Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s T20I captain stressed the need to have specialist coaches. With WV Raman, head coach of the women’s team, around, the batters are in good hands, but they could possibly do with the addition of a fast bowling coach as well.

“Like the men’s team, there should be a dedicated support staff for the women’s team,” a source close to the side said.

India, who played their last international match in March against England in Guwahati, will next take on South Africa at home. The series in September marks the beginning of what is likely to be a hectic international schedule leading into the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.