India contemplate releasing Gurnoor Brar early for Test preparations

India bowler Gurnoor Brar celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Latham during the one day cricket international in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mount Maunganui: The Indian team management is contemplating releasing Gurnoor Brar from the ODI squad. TimesofIndia.com has learnt that Brar could be released after the fourth ODI, with a final decision expected after Friday's fixture in Tauranga.With New Zealand having tall bowlers in their squad, the management is keen to have Brar with the Test squad in Wellington. The fast bowler is not part of the India Test squad but has been asked to stay back.

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that the support staff would split after the Hamilton ODI. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule are with the ODI set-up, while Kotak, bowling coach Morne Morkel and fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh are accompanying the Test squad.

Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj left Hamilton for Wellington, while the remaining players, who are part of the India A set-up, joined the group from Christchurch.Ruturaj Gaikwad likely to openAs far as the fourth ODI against New Zealand is concerned, India are likely to make two changes, with Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in as an opener in place of Shubman Gill, while Ishan Kishan is expected to retain his place in the middle order.A late shake-up cannot be ruled out, but cues from the nets and discussions within the group point to Kishan batting in the middle order for the remaining two ODIs.All the batters, including Tilak Varma, had extended batting sessions in the nets. Ruturaj looked assured and will be keen to make the most of the opportunities in the series.