The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has selected ex-Indian cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar to be the head coach of the India A side for their soon-to-be-conducted shadow tour of England, scheduled from May 30, 2025. The tour is an important component of preparations for India's senior team's five-match Test series against England from June 20. Kanitkar, who represented India in a few Tests and ODIs, had a fruitful domestic career, scoring more than 8,000 runs, and now carries that expertise to an important developmental role.

Kanitkar’s coaching experience includes the IPL coaching of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala along with his current domestic side of Maharashtra. Kanitkar, who is described as being calm and possessing a good tactical mind, has significantly contributed to pushing young talent in all formats. His new role with India A comes at a crucial moment, as India needs to rebuild the Test side after the recent retirements of players from the format, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The IPL 2025 season is slated to return on May 17 and end on June 3, so the player focus will transition from white ball to red ball cricket very quickly.

India A team, with Abhimanyu Easwaran as captain, boasts such exciting names as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Shardul Thakur, with Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan joining from the second match. The tour itinerary includes two four-day games against the England Lions, a mid-tour intra-squad match, and a game against the senior Indian team. All these games are meant to test fringe players' preparedness and condition for the eagerly awaited Test series.

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A New Chapter for India A Squad 

Kanitkar's appointment heralds a new direction for India A in a transition period. His skill in counseling young players through hostile conditions will be crucial as the side learns to cope with English wickets and match pressure.

With his guidance and experience, India A's shadow tour can be the defining piece of work in shaping India's red-ball future in the build-up to the WTC 2025–27 cycle.

The appointment of former India batsman Hrishikesh Kanitkar as the Indian women’s cricket team’s senior batting coach was made public on Monday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Kanitkar will join the team for the five-match Twenty20 International series against Australia, which begins on December 9 in Mumbai.

As part of the BCCI’s restructuring module, former women’s team head coach Ramesh Powar will join VVS Laxman at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and switch to men’s cricket.

On being appointed as the batting coach, 

“It is an honor to be appointed as the new batting coach of the senior women’s team. I see tremendous prospects in this team and we have a good mix of youth and experience. I believe this team is ready for the challenge ahead. We have a few marquee events coming up and it is going to be exciting for the team and myself as batting coach.”

Kanitkar said

Former head coach Powar on his part said that he is looking forward to working with Laxman at the NCA.

“I have had an enriching experience in my stint as head coach of the senior women’s team. Over the years I have worked closely with some of the stalwarts of the game and upcoming talents of the country. With my new role at the NCA, I will be looking to take forward my experience over the years to help build talent for the future. I look forward to working in tandem with Laxman for the further development of the game and bench strength,”

he said.

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Laxman, welcoming the former India spinner, said that Powar’s presence will bolster the NCA set-up.

“With Powar coming on board as a spin bowling coach, we are sure he will bring his expertise and experience to the National Cricket Academy. Having worked in domestic, age-group cricket and the international circuit, I am sure he will play an active role in the betterment of the game. I look forward to working with him in his new role at the NCA,”

Laxman said.