Sulakshan Kulkarni appointed Chhattisgarh coach for three seasons

Chhattisgarh have named Sulakshan Kulkarni, the former Mumbai wicketkeeper, as their coach for the next three seasons. Kulkarni will begin work with a camp in Raipur, attended by 30 probables.

"I'm happy to be back in the Ranji Trophy again as a coach. I will enjoy helping develop a team like Chhattisgarh, which would play in the Ranji Trophy for the first time," Kulkarni told the Times of India.

"We had received applications from many coaches, some of whom are former players," Rajesh Dave, the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh secretary, said. "Kulkarni has a good track record with Vidarbha and Mumbai, and our committee felt he would be the ideal man to coach our boys, who're talented but need his guidance and polishing since they lack experience at the Ranji level. We want to do well in our maiden Ranji appearance."

The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh, which was an associate member of the BCCI, was elevated to full-member status after a special general meeting in February this year, paving the way for their Ranji Trophy debut in the forthcoming season.

Kulkarni previously coached Vidarbha between 2009 and 2011, before serving in the same capacity with the Mumbai team from 2011 to 2014. He was in charge when Mumbai lifted their 40th Ranji Trophy title in 2012-13.