Kerala cricket is set for a fresh coaching setup ahead of the 2026-27 season, with former Goa and Rajasthan Royals batter Swapnil Asnodkar appointed as the new head coach of the senior men’s team.
Meanwhile, Devika Palshikar will continue to oversee the Kerala women’s senior side after guiding the team through the previous two seasons.
Swapnil Asnodkar appointed by Kerala
The former right-handed opener represented Goa in first-class cricket and also featured for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He has previously worked with the Kerala Under-23 team as head coach, giving him familiarity with the state’s domestic cricket structure.
Asnodkar replaces Amay Khurasiya, who took Kerala cricket to new heights during his two-season tenure. Under his guidance, Kerala qualified for the Ranji final in 2024-25, which was their first-ever appearance in the competition’s final.
There is also a new addition to the women’s coaching setup. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Karuna Jain has been appointed as the coach of the Kerala Under-19 women’s team and mentor of the KCA Women’s Academy. Jain, who represented India in both Test and ODI cricket, will be associated with Kerala cricket for the first time.
Alongside the coaching appointments, the KCA has also unveiled its selection committees for the new season. Former Kerala batting star Rohan Prem has been named chairman of the senior men’s selection committee. V.A. Jagadeesh and Anthaf P.U. will serve as the other members.
The junior men’s selection panel will be headed by K. Chandrasekhar, with K.R. Sreejith and Renji Philip joining him as members. The committee will focus on identifying and nurturing Kerala’s emerging talent.
The women’s senior selection committee, meanwhile, remains unchanged. E. Renzy will continue as chairperson, with Rani Varghese and Anjana Paul retaining their positions as members.