New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi will leave the coaching staff after the all-format home series against India. Ronchi, who joined the coaching staff in November 2020 after Peter Fulton's departure will bid goodbye to the role after six years.
He has accepted the job of head coach at Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Ronchi’s achievements as batting coach
With Ronchi as batting coach, New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2021, beating India in the final. New Zealand qualified for three white-ball tournament finals — T20 World Cup 2021 and 2026 editions and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He was also part of the coaching staff when Tom Latham-led New Zealand whitewashed India in a three-Test series on Indian soil, a historic feat. His most recent achievement as batting coach is New Zealand's 2-1 Test series win on England soil. Currently, the BlackCaps are placed third in the WTC 2025-27 standings, alive for the final race.
Test skipper Latham hailed Ronchi for the impact he has had on every individual for more than half a decade in the New Zealand dressing room.
"He's such a valued member of this group, certainly when he was playing but also after he transitioned into the coaching space too, so it's disappointing to be losing a guy like Ronchs. He's someone who understands the environment and culture of this group and is a huge driver of that,” Latham said.
When will be Ronchi’s last dance as Kiwi batting coach?
India are scheduled to tour New Zealand for five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. It is India's longest tour of New Zealand till date.
The five-T20I series will commence on October 22 in Christchurch. The tour will end at the same venue with India and New Zealand locking horns for the second Test of the series starting on November 27.
Ronchi to be on India trip soon after IND vs NZ series -
Soon after joining Melbourne Renegades’ camp, Ronchi will travel to India for the historic BBL 2026-27 opener which will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on December 12. Renegades will begin their campaign against defending champions Perth Scorchers.
Ronchi to stage Renegades’ turnaround?
In the previous season, Melbourne Renegades finished seventh on the points table. The last time Renegades qualified for the playoffs was in 2022-23 season. Their only BBL title win came in the 2018/19 edition when Aaron Finch was their captain.
Ronchi's BBL career
Ronchi had made his BBL debut for Perth Scorchers in the inaugural edition. He scored 65 runs from nine games. Perth Scorchers lost to Sydney Sixers in the final.