The Punjab cricket team, current champions of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is preparing for a significant shift in their coaching staff. Former domestic cricket star Wasim Jaffer is being considered for the role of head coach for the upcoming domestic season.
With several major changes occurring across India’s domestic cricket teams, Punjab is seeking a new head coach following Avishkar Salvi’s departure. According to a Cricbuzz report, Jaffer is emerging as a leading candidate for the position.
Wasim Jaffer in the race to become Punjab’s head coach ahead of the next domestic season
The recent report highlighted that negotiations are in progress between Jaffer, the all-time leading run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history, and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), with an announcement from the state body anticipated soon. Meanwhile, Salvi has been appointed as the bowling coach for the Indian women’s cricket team.
According to a PCA official who spoke to The Indian Express: “We have received more than 45 applications for the head coach position of the Punjab senior team. Among the notable candidates are former India opener Wasim Jaffer and former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait. The selection process is still ongoing, and we expect to make an announcement by next week.”
Jaffer, who has represented India in 31 Tests and 2 ODIs, has previously worked as the batting coach for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL and served as the coach for the Bangladesh U-19 team. He has also held the role of chief coach for Uttarakhand and Odisha.
Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Mandeep Singh, a senior batter for Punjab who captained the team to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season, is likely to transfer to Tripura for the upcoming domestic season.
Major changes have been made in other states ahead of the next domestic season
In other coaching changes, Tinu Yohannan, the former Indian fast bowler, has been appointed as the coach for the Andhra team for the upcoming domestic season. Yohannan, who previously led his home state Kerala and worked as a talent scout for the Delhi Capitals (DC), takes over from Nirmal Kumar at Andhra.
Meanwhile, Sulakshan Kulkarni, who recently parted ways with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) due to disagreements with both the team captain and the state body, has been named the new coach of the Maharashtra team. Kulkarni succeeded Santosh Jedhe as Maharashtra’s coach earlier this week. Lakshmipathy Balaji, who was Tamil Nadu’s bowling coach last season, is expected to assume the head coach position for Tamil Nadu in the upcoming domestic season.
Additionally, Surendra Bhave, a former Indian selector and Maharashtra player, has been appointed as the coach of the Odisha team, taking over from Dinesh Mongia.
Tripura is still in the process of finding a new coach for the upcoming season. The next domestic cricket season in India will kick off with the Duleep Trophy on September 4 at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Ananthapur, followed by the Irani Cup 2024.
