India team's manager Lalchand Rajput has been named assistant coach for the Australian tour later this month.

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten, who is set to take over as the new coach, will be with the team for a brief period in Australia. He is expected to join the team as full-time coach only after the Australia tour.

"Rajput has been named as the assistant coach for the Australia tour because Gary Kirsten will be on and off during that tour. Rajput will be with the team along with the support staff," Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president Rajiv Shukla said in Kolkata on Saturday.

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Meanwhile, Shukla also added that Kirsten has seven days to reply to the BCCI's offer.

Rajput has been serving as cricket manager since the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and for the ODI series against Australia.

Former players Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh will continue as bowling and fielding coaches respectively.

The Indian team will play four Test matches in Australia and a triangular ODI series also involving Sri Lanka [Images] from December 20 to March 7.