Prasad and Robin retained in support staff

	Robin Singh will continue as India's fielding coach © AFP

The BCCI has retained Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh among its seven-member support staff team for the three-Test South Africa, but dropped assistant coach Lalchand Rajput who had managed the team since the Bangladesh tour last May.

Prasad, the former India new-ball specialist, will remain in charge of bowling while Robin will handle the team's fielding. The South Africa series, starting March 26 in Chennai, will mark the debuts of Gary Kirsten as coach and his associate Paddy Upton as mental conditioning coach and physical trainer.

Paul Close, the physio of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore will assist the team as its physiotherapist till the BCCI appoints a permanent candidate. "The BCCI will appoint a full-time physiotherapist for the Indian team by the end of April," Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said.

Prasad, Robin and Rajput have also signed up to coach IPL teams while Kirsten has shied away, saying he wants to focus on the Indian team. Prasad has tied up with the Bangalore franchise and Robin with Hyderabad, while Rajput will coach the Mumbai IPL team.

Mumbai-based Ramesh Mane remains the Indian team's masseur while Chennai's Russell Radhakrishnan will continue to be the team's travel assistant.