The Punjab cricket team, the defending champions of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is all set for a major change in the coaching staff, and the former domestic cricket giant Wasim Jaffer is on their radar ahead of the next domestic cricket season.
As several significant changes are unfolding across the domestic cricket teams in India, the Punjab team is currently searching for a new head coach after the departure of coach Avishkar Salvi. The Cricbuzz report claimed that Jaffer is emerging as a strong candidate to become Punjab coach.
Wasim Jaffer in the race to become Punjab’s head coach ahead of the next domestic season
The report revealed that discussions between Jaffer, the highest run scorer in Ranji Trophy history, and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) are underway, and a decision from the state body is expected to be taken soon. Notably, Salvi joined the Indian women’s cricket team as the bowling coach.
A Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official told The Indian Express: “We have received over 45 applicants for the head coach role of the Punjab senior team. Two of the prominent names are former India opener Wasim Jaffer and former Australia speedster Shaun Tait. The process is still underway, and we will announce the name by next week.”
Notably, Jaffer, who played 31 Tests and two ODIs for India, served as the batting coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League and also coach of the Bangladesh U-19 team. He had also had previously worked as the chief coach of Uttarakhand and Odisha.
It is being said that the Punjab team’s senior batter, Mandeep Singh, is set to join Tripura for the upcoming domestic season. Mandeep had led Punjab to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title last season.
Major changes have been made in other states ahead of the next domestic season
Meanwhile, Tinu Yohannan, the former Indian pacer, has been appointed as the coach of the Andhra team for the upcoming domestic season. Yohannan, who previously coached his home state Kerala, and worked with the Delhi Capitals (DC) as a talent scout, replaced Nirmal Kumar at Andhra.
On the other hand, Sulakshan Kulkarni, who ended his association with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) following disagreements with the team captain and the state body, has now been appointed as the coach of the Maharashtra team.
Kulkarni replaced Santosh Jedhe as Maharashtra coach earlier this week. Well, Lakshmipathy Balaji, who served as Tamil Nadu’s bowling coach last season, is expected to step into the head coach role for the side in the upcoming domestic season.
Additionally, Surendra Bhave, a former Indian selector and Maharashtra player, has been named the coach of the Odisha team, replacing Dinesh Mongia, ahead of the new season of domestic cricket.
Tripura is still searching for a new coach for the upcoming season. Notably, India’s next domestic season will begin with the Duleep Trophy on September 4 at the Rural Development Trust Stadium, Ananthapur, followed by the Irani Cup 2024.
