Mumbai: Former Mumbai wicketkeeper Surakshan Kulkarni has been appointed as the head coach of the Oman men’s cricket team.
Kulkarni, who was Oman’s deputy head coach at the 2026 T20 World Cup, replaces former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Duleep Mendis, who has been transferred as the “chief development officer” of the Oman cricket team.
Oman Cricket Club announced Kulkarni’s appointment on social media on Saturday: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Surakshan Kulkarni as Head Coach of the Oman Men’s National Team. He will bring a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to lead #TeamOman into an exciting new era.
“Duleep Mendis has been promoted to Chief Development Officer after 14 extraordinary years at the helm of Omani cricket, leaving behind a brilliant legacy of historic milestones and taking Omani cricket to unprecedented heights. His impact on the national team and the development of cricket in the country is truly immeasurable.”
“This is a big hole that needs to be filled. Mendis sir has played a very important role in shaping Oman cricket. I am grateful to Oman Cricket for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach,” Kulkarni told TOI in Oman.
Kulkarni’s next main task will be to help Oman qualify for next year’s 50-over World Cup in South Africa. Oman will play several ICC CWC League 2 Tri-nation series matches in Nepal and Namibia next month.
Oman failed to impress at the T20 World Cup; they lost all four of their matches, suffering heavy defeats against Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
Kulkarni is the head coach of Maharashtra Ranji FC in the 2024-25 season. He has also served as head coach of Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh in the past.
The former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batsman played 65 first-class matches and 13 first-class matches and as the team’s head coach, he led Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy title in 2012-13.
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