India replace Video Analyst for South Africa tour

What's the story?

Just days before their South Africa tour begins, India have replaced their Video Analyst Ashish Tulli with CKM Dhananjai.

Dhananjai has previously worked with the national side and is currently the Vice-President of SportsMechanics, a technology and analytics company, providing data analytics support to IPL team Mumbai Indians.

In case you didn't know..

Dhananjai was with the Indian team when they lifted the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. When India became the number one Test team in 2009, he was a part of the backroom staff.

On the other hand, the outgoing Tulli is being rumoured to have been moved to the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The heart of the matter

Since the news broke, the reasons doing the rounds for the switch are many. One reason being suggested is that Tulli belonged to the previous dispensation and has now lost the faith of the team management.

Another reason could be the vast experience that Dhananjai brings, as his company has been around for almost 10 years, thus providing much more data and analysis about the opposition.

What's next?

India start their challenging tour of South Africa with the first Test at Cape Town from January 5. The team departs early morning on December 28 for a visit lasting nearly two months, including three Tests, six ODIs and three T20 Internationals.

Author's Take

With Dhananjai having history on his side, the decision of the management to choose him instead of Tull does not come as a surprise, especially taking into consideration India's tours to South Africa, England and Australia this year. However, rather than replace Tulli in the eleventh hour, the BCCI could have done the same at least a few days in advance.