Coaching uncertainty, inadequate preps cloud UP’s Ranji campaign

Nearly two decades after Uttar Pradesh last won the Ranji Trophy, the state team is again preparing for a new domestic season with uncertainty around its coaching setup and squad finalisation.With less than 12 days left for the start of the senior season, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is yet to announce coaches for the Ranji Trophy side and junior teams.A UPCA source said the Cricket Advisory Committee has prepared a list of recommendations, which will be placed before the association’s annual general meeting.Former India cricketer and former UP Ranji coach Gyanendra Pandey is likely to be the frontrunner for the Ranji Trophy head coach’s role. Current UP selector Rizwan Shamshad and previous edition Ranji trophy coach Arvind Kapoor are also in contention, particularly for white-ball coaching roles.UPCA secretary Prem Manohar Gupta told TOI, “UPCA will announce the appointment of coaches at the annual general meeting on Sept 30.”Uttar Pradesh won its only Ranji Trophy title in 2005-06 under captain Mohammed Kaif and coach Rajinder Singh Hans. The team has finished runner-up five times — in 1939-40, 1977-78, 1997-98, 2007-08 and 2008-09.Pandey had a strong record during his earlier stint with UP in red-ball cricket. Under him, UP reached the Ranji Trophy final in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and made the semi-finals in 2009-10. He was also the coach when UP finished runner-up in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021-22.Shamshad’s coaching record has been prominent in the T20 format. UP won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2015-16 and finished runner-up in 2013-14 under him. Kapoor, who coached the Ranji side in the previous edition, could not deliver the expected results in red-ball cricket, though UP reached the quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2025-26.UP’s record in limited-overs cricket has also been modest. The team has won the Vijay Hazare Trophy once, in 2002-03, and finished runner-up in 2005-06 and 2020-21. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, UP won the title in 2015-16 and was runner-up in 2013-14.A senior UPCA official said preparation for the season has been inadequate. “Ahead of the fresh season, UPCA held only one camp of two to three days last week. We want results and trophies, but how is it possible? Ranji Trophy requires hardwork and more practice matches before the tournament,” the official said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.