ACA has been showing a lot of hiring intent ahead of the domestic season © Cricbuzz The Andhra team seems to be showing a lot of intent ahead of the domestic season. A day after formally recruiting world-renowned coach Gary Stead as head of its support staff, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has roped in Vinit Indulkar as its batting coach. Indulkar (41), a veteran Mumbai batter, has, in fact, joined the Andhra squad. On Sunday, he linked up with the team in Mysore, where it is currently participating in the KSCA tournament. “I am on my way to Mysore,” Indulkar told Cricbuzz, refusing to dwell on his new assignment and stating that he would speak after his paperwork with the ACA is completed. A top ACA functionary, however, confirmed that the former Mumbai batter is on board. Indulkar was Mumbai’s batting coach until last season, before the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decided to part ways with him. The MCA has brought in Bravish Shetty in his place, but the ACA says it is happy with its catch. “He was one of the key members of Mumbai’s support staff last season when Mumbai reached the Ranji semifinals and won the Mushtaq Ali tournament,” said the Andhra official. Indulkar featured in 43 first-class games in a career spanning 16 years between 2004 and 2020. Andhra legend MSK Prasad lauds ACA for hiring 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 legend of Andhra cricket and the first international from the State, had recruited former New Zealand cricketer Maria Fahey as the head coach of the women’s team almost a decade ago when he was the CEO of the ACA. “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.
