Karnataka Appoints Ex-India Cricketer as Head Coach After Punjab Kings Drops Shaun Tait

Ex-Australian pacer Shaun Tait, who applied for the Kerala head coach role after losing out to Wasim Jaffer for the Punjab position, has faced another setback.

In contrast, Karnataka cricket is embracing stability and continuity with the return of former India batter K Yere Goud as the head coach for the upcoming domestic season. The state cricket association announced Goud’s appointment on Thursday. He replaces PV Shashikanth, who had coached the team for the past two seasons.

Goud, who previously led Karnataka’s senior side for four seasons starting in 2018, had been coaching the state’s under-23 team. Under his guidance, the under-23 squad won the CK Nayudu Trophy this year, a first for the state. Now, with his extensive experience from 134 first-class matches for Karnataka and Railways, Goud aims to bring similar success to the senior team.

In the 2023-24 season, Karnataka had a strong showing, reaching the semifinals of both the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Additionally, former pacer Mansur Ali Khan will continue as the bowling coach, and J Abhiram, who managed the Indian team’s recent white-ball tour to Zimbabwe, will stay on as the senior men’s selection committee chairman. Former India batter Karuna Jain has been appointed as head coach for both the senior and under-23 women’s teams.