Kanitkar to be new Tamil Nadu coach

According to informed sources, the 41-year-old former India and Maharashtra cricketer will meet TNCA president N. Srinivasan here on Wednesday to finalise the terms of the agreement.

Hrishikesh Kanitkar is a proven motivator and strategist, he led an unheralded Rajasthan as a professional cricketer to two rousing Ranji triumphs in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Hrishikesh Kanitkar is all set to be the new head coach of the Tamil Nadu State team ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.

According to informed sources, the 41-year-old former India and Maharashtra cricketer will meet TNCA president N. Srinivasan here on Wednesday to finalise the terms of the agreement.

Without a triumph in the Ranji Trophy since S. Vasudevan’s spirited team won the title in 1988, Tamil Nadu continues to seek an increasingly elusive victory in India’s premier domestic competition.

Not surprisingly, the TNCA wants to inculcate a winning culture in a State side that has not always been a picture of unity. This is precisely why Kanitkar has been picked.

A proven motivator and strategist, he led an unheralded Rajasthan as a professional cricketer to two rousing Ranji triumphs in 2010-11 and 2011-12. A gritty left-hander with innings-building skills and a handy off-spinner, Kanitkar had limited success in the two Tests and 34 ODIs he represented India in.

He was a formidable player in domestic cricket though, with 10,400 runs in 146 First Class matches at 52.26. Kantitkar also scalped 74 batsmen with his off-spin.

In his last appearance at Chepauk, Kanitkar lifted the Ranji Trophy after Rajasthan subdued the host. This time around Kanitkar will be in a different role, on the other side of the fence.