The Andhra cricket team appears eager and proactive as the domestic season approaches. Just a day after officially bringing on world-renowned Gary Stead to lead its support staff, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has appointed Vinit Indulkar as the team’s batting coach.
Indulkar, 41, a seasoned Mumbai batsman, has now joined the Andhra squad. He met the team on Sunday in Mysore, where they are currently competing in the KSCA tournament.
“I’m heading to Mysore,” Indulkar told Cricbuzz, choosing not to discuss his new role for now and saying he would comment once his formalities with the ACA are completed. However, a senior ACA official confirmed that the former Mumbai batsman has officially joined the team.
Indulkar served as Mumbai’s batting coach until last season, before the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decided to part ways with him. The MCA has since appointed Bravish Shetty as his replacement, but the ACA is pleased with their acquisition.
“He was a vital part of Mumbai’s support staff last season, helping the team reach the Ranji semifinals and win the Mushtaq Ali Trophy,” said the Andhra official.
Indulkar played 43 first-class matches over a 16-year career from 2004 to 2020.
MSK Prasad Praises ACA For Appointing Gary Stead
Meanwhile, the ACA’s decision to hire Stead has been widely hailed. “A good decision by the ACA. It should be a game-changer for Andhra cricket. The state has always had an abundance of talent but needed direction. The players may not be very expressive, but having Gary, with his humble background in New Zealand, will be a perfect blend for the Andhra setup,” MSK Prasad, a former India international who was part of the ACA setup in the past, told Cricbuzz.
“With his vast experience in shaping New Zealand cricket and taking it to the highest level across formats – guiding the team to finals in all formats and winning the World Test Championship – this appointment will be a huge boon. He can provide a clear vision for Andhra cricket, instill confidence in the players to express themselves, and broaden their perspective.”
Prasad, a celebrated figure in Andhra cricket and the State’s first international player, had appointed former New Zealand cricketer Maria Fahey as the head coach of the women’s team nearly ten years ago, during his tenure as ACA CEO.
“Andhra was fortunate to have had the experience of Maria Fahey. Women’s cricket immensely benefited from her presence, and she set the tone for its growth in the state. Stead’s arrival will be another perfect cultural exchange between the Kiwis and Andhra players,” the former chief selector of India remarked.
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