Amay Khurasiya, the former India batter who steered Kerala to their maiden Ranji Trophy final, has stepped down as head coach after completing a two-year stint. The 53-year-old will now begin a new chapter by taking charge of Chhattisgarh ahead of the next Ranji Trophy season, calling the switch a “fresh challenge.”
Khurasiya’s move from Kerala to Chhattisgarh
- Khurasiya, who had previously led Kerala to the Ranji Trophy final for the first time in the 2024-25 season, has concluded his two-year tenure as head coach.
- He decided to relocate his base to Chhattisgarh for the upcoming Ranji season and officially submitted his resignation after being in Thiruvananthapuram earlier in the week.
- Kerala’s coaching change comes as his contract with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) ended at the close of the season.
- In his comments, Khurasiya described the new assignment as an exciting opportunity and said he was looking forward to rebuilding work in Chhattisgarh.
Speaking about his time with Kerala, Khurasiya said he enjoyed the past two years with the group, describing them as a humble set of people. He added that, as the team moves ahead, it requires a strong mentor more than just a coach. He also expressed that he will miss Kerala, the team bonding, and the warm environment surrounding the squad.
Why the Kerala exit was announced
The KCA clarified that the decision was not linked to on-field results. KCA secretary Vinod Kumar said that a typical coaching appointment with the association runs for two years, and Khurasiya’s departure had nothing to do with Kerala’s performance last season. Vinod also noted that a run of injuries disrupted Kerala’s campaign, and the side was unable to progress as hoped.
Vinod further indicated that the association will issue an Expression of Interest and invite applications for a new head coach in the coming days. He also credited Khurasiya for improving the squad’s professional standards and work ethic during his tenure.
“Amay brought in a strong sense of professionalism and work ethic to this team,” Vinod said, adding that Khurasiya’s impact on Kerala cricket over the previous two years had been significant.
Players Khurasiya highlighted
Khurasiya also pointed to some of the state’s emerging talent. He singled out MD Nidheesh as Kerala’s “find of the season” last year and praised Eden Apple Tom as another promising pacer who, in his view, can be developed further.
What lies ahead for Chhattisgarh
In his new role, Khurasiya’s focus will be on nurturing the region’s developing players and strengthening the overall cricketing structure. With Chhattisgarh yet to qualify for the Ranji Trophy knockouts, rebuilding and creating momentum will be central to his responsibilities.
“That’s exactly what I am looking forward to,” Khurasiya said, underlining his motivation for the challenge ahead.
