In a surprising move, the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association (APCA) has signed the former World Test Championship-winning New Zealand coach, Gary Stead, ahead of the 2025/26 season of domestic cricket, starting with the Ranji Trophy. Stead has a successful seven-year stint with the Kiwis before ending his long-time contract with the NZC earlier this year in June. 

Under his coaching, New Zealand experienced incredible success across the formats. They went up to the number one position in the Test ranking and ODIs, besides winning the mace in 2021, along with finishing as the runners-up of the 2019 World Cup in England. They crashed the Indian side during the semifinal of the ODI World Cup and the final of the WTC in Southampton.

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“We were initially looking at an Australian coach. Then a friend suggested, Why not try Gary? So we reached out to him, and right from the very first conversation, we were struck by his preparedness. He came to the meeting with a complete understanding of our team.” The secretary of the ACA, Sana Sathish Babu, was revealed as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Andhra Pradesh Cricket signs Gary Staead as head coach ahead of Ranji Trophy 2025/26

Stead has asked to be back home during the Christmas period, which the ACA has agreed to. His work visa in India will be approved and is expected to be in charge from September 20. Andhra had a tough season last year, as they finished sixth in Group B with just one win and three losses in seven games.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, they were fourth on the table in the eight-team event, and in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, they topped their group before losing to Uttar Pradesh in the pre-quarter finals. They have already faced the setback of losing veteran Hanuma Vihari.

The side will be led by Ricky Bhui, with the experienced member, Saurabh Kumar, coming as the senior member in the side. ACA signed him from UP before the new season. Along with the state coaching. Stead was expected to be under the IPL franchises for the same role. However, nothing was confirmed.