In a groundbreaking move, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has opted for a split coaching structure for the upcoming domestic season. Veteran coach Vivek Jaisimha will take the reins as the head coach for the senior men’s team in red-ball tournaments, while RX Murali will helm the team in shorter formats.
Sources within the ACA revealed that the decision was made with the demanding length of the season in mind. Over the years, the association has observed that players and coaching staff often struggle with fatigue due to the constant format shifts. This led to the ACA’s apex council deciding to separate the coaching roles for red-ball and white-ball cricket. This marks a significant shift in Assam’s coaching approach, and if successful, the ACA plans to continue this strategy in future seasons.
Despite achieving respectable results in white-ball formats – reaching the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinal in 2022 and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semifinal in 2023 – Assam has faced challenges in reaching the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy. This split coaching structure aims to address this disparity, with the ACA hoping for improved performance in the longer format. While the core players will remain consistent across formats, some new faces are expected to join the respective teams, based on expertise.
RX Murali, a seasoned coach with a long and distinguished career, has previously guided notable players like K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. He currently coaches the Mysore Warriors in the Maharaja Cup. The ACA also appointed Noel David, another former India international, as the head coach for the U-23 team.
With this new coaching strategy in place, the Assam Cricket Association is aiming to improve performance across all formats and solidify their position in the domestic circuit. The team is currently placed in Elite Group D of the Ranji Trophy alongside Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Saurashtra, Delhi, Railways, and Chhattisgarh. The upcoming season promises exciting competition and a chance for Assam to showcase their talent under a new coaching regime.
