Karnataka Appoints Vinay Kumar as Head Coach
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has named Vinay Kumar the head coach of the Karnataka senior men’s cricket team for the 2026-27 domestic season.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 13, with the KSCA stating that all coaching appointments for the men’s and women’s programs for the season were based on the Cricket Advisory Committee’s recommendations.
Vinay Kumar comes into the post with a record that few Karnataka cricketers can match. He is the most successful speed bowler in Ranji Trophy history, having taken 442 wickets in his first-class career. His body of work ranks him among the most experienced personalities in Karnataka’s domestic cricket history.
Deepak Chougule, a former Karnataka batter, has been confirmed as the senior men’s fielding coach, rounding out the core support staff for the 2026-27 season.
What achievements did Vinay Kumar make as a Karnataka player and captain?
Vinay Kumar’s playing experience includes both domestic and international cricket. He captained Karnataka during one of the state’s most successful eras, guiding the team to a domestic treble that comprised the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and Irani Cup from 2013 to 2015.
Vinay represented India in one Test match and 31 One Day Internationals. His IPL career also included two title-winning seasons, with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and the Mumbai Indians in 2015 and 2017.
The mix of captaincy experience, domestic record, and exposure to high-pressure franchise cricket provides him with a solid platform for the head coach role.
What does the entire KSCA coaching structure for 2026-27 look like?
Beyond the senior men’s setup, the KSCA has confirmed a full slate of coaching appointments for its women’s and age-group programs in 2026-27.
S N Ameet has been appointed head coach of both the senior and under-23 women’s teams, with Rakshitha Krishnappa serving as fielding coach for the senior women’s side.
Ganesh Satish has been appointed head coach of the men’s age-group teams. The appointments across all programs are in accordance with the CAC’s recommendations and encompass the entirety of Karnataka’s domestic cricket structure when the season begins.
