Indian cricket team are set to have a new physical conditioning coach and physiotherapist after the 2019 ICC World Cup as both Shankar Basu and Patrick Farhart have decided to step down and have conveyed the same to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Indian Express reported on Saturday.
“Basu has informed the team management of not continuing as a trainer as he needs a break. So has Patrick. The Indian team will look out for their replacements after the World Cup and West Indies series,” a board official was quoted as saying by the paper.
Sohum Desai would replace Basu for the upcoming tour of West Indies in August and the BCCI would advertise for all posts including that of the head coach after the tour, the report added.
The development was confirmed by captain Virat Kohli on Twitter. A day after the tournament came to an end for India, the skipper tweeted his thanks to the two long-serving members of the support staff.
“Thank you Patrick and Basu for the amazing work you both have done for the team,” Kohli tweeted. “More importantly, the friendship you have with all of us is even more special. You both are true gentlemen. Wish you the best for everything else in life ahead.”
Thank you Patrick and Basu for the amazing work you both have done for the team. More importantly, the friendship you have with all of us is even more special. You both are true gentlemen. Wish you the best for everything else in life ahead. 🙏🙂 @patrickfarhart
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 11, 2019
India lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals at Edgbaston on Wednesday to bring down the curtains on their tournament.