Former Test batsman Ashok Malhotra will coach India in the early games of the one-day tri-series starting in Dhaka on Friday.

Malhotra will do the job until John Wright, in New Zealand following his father's death, returns to take over, according to Karunakaran Nair, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI had earlier said Wright would miss the entire April 11-20 tournament, in which South Africa and hosts Bangladesh are also taking part.

Nair denied media reports that captain Sourav Ganguly may not travel to Dhaka because of a back strain.

"He will be leading the team," he said.

India, who lost to Australia in the World Cup final, will be without batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and seamer Ashish Nehra due to injuries, while fast bowler Javagal Srinath and leg-spinner Anil Kumble have opted out of the trip.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 63 Sub: RE:cricket coach He might be a sucessful captain, but how much did he contribute in bat??? Can u look into this matter. How many matches did he ... Posted by sidd Sub: RE:no matter who should be coach Who r u to say that....from ur writing it is clear that u have no idea what cricket is and how a captain can be ... Posted by Dips Sub: RE:no matter who should be coach obviously u have miopia!!... the man has skill, aggression & holds the respect of his fellow players.. right man for the job. Posted by Rahul Sub: not a right decission by Bcci Instead of Ashok Malhothra ,India has having many more rich talented cricketer like The great opining bastmen littel master Sunny Gavaskar,Navab Pattudii, Kapil Dev,and other ... Posted by Mohammed yahiya Sub: intresting after huge hopes and dismay a team without its heroes young faces and a new coach it can be make or break time for the ... Posted by abhishek