Amay Khurasiya appointed Rest-of-India coach for Irani Trophy

Indore: Former international cricketer Amay Khurasiya from Indore was appointed as the new coach of the Rest of India team by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the Irani Trophy.He is the first coach from Madhya Pradesh to assume a national-level coaching role, marking a historic milestone for the state's cricketing circuit. "I am honoured to be appointed as the coach of the Rest of India team for the Irani Trophy, which is the most coveted event in the domestic circuit of Indian cricket. I wish to work towards Rest of India retaining the trophy like last year. I am waiting for the team to be announced to work on the action plan," Khurasiya told TOI.Currently, Khurasiya serves as the head coach of Kerala, where he made a significant impact by guiding the team to the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time in the state's history.Khurasiya, 51, made his mark in domestic cricket early, debuting in first-class cricket at the age of 17. Over nearly two decades, he played 199 first-class matches, scoring over 7,000 runs. His international career included 12 One Day Internationals for India, with a notable debut in 1999 against Sri Lanka where he scored 57 runs off 45 balls. He was also part of India's squad for the 1999 World Cup.After retiring from international cricket, Khurasiya transitioned to coaching, a journey spanning 22 years. He served as the head coach of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) for over a decade, nurturing several players who went on to make their mark nationally. Notable among them are RCB's captain Rajat Patidar, fast bowler Avesh Khan, and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. He has also been associated with the Indian Premier League, mentoring emerging talent and refining their skills.Cricket enthusiasts in Madhya Pradesh have welcomed the announcement, viewing it as recognition of the state's growing presence in Indian cricket. Khurasiya's experience and insights are expected to provide young players with a valuable platform to excel at the national level.The Irani Trophy, which pits the Rest of India team against the Ranji Trophy champions, is considered one of the most prestigious events in India's domestic cricket calendar.