BENGALURU: In one of the most high-profile appointments of coaches in Karnataka cricket, the KSCA has roped in former Indian pacer and state skipper R Vinay Kumar as the head coach for the upcoming season.The 42-year-old, the most successful captain of Karnataka, is learnt to have been cleared by the Cricket Administrative Committee (CAC), which includes Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Joshi, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. Vinay’s appointment, along with that of the other men’s and women’s coaching staff, will be ratified at the managing committee meeting likely to be held on August 13.Vinay, apart from being a talent scout for Mumbai Indians, has also been the bowling coach of MI Emirates in the ILT20. A seasoned commentator, Vinay is also likely to become the highest-paid coach ever roped in by the KSCA.The state team, which finished runners-up in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, is in a transitional phase with many youngsters being bloodied in and Devdutt Padikkal handed over the reins of the team.Vinay made his Ranji Trophy debut against Bengal under the captaincy of J Arun Kumar. He launched his career with the wicket of opposition skipper Rohan Gavaskar. He moved out of Karnataka in 2019 and spent a year with the Pondicherry team. After going without an IPL contract or state team the following season, he called time on his career in 2021.Vinay was among the key members of the golden period of Karnataka cricket between 2013-15. During this phase, with Vinay leading the team and J Arun Kumar as the head coach, Karnataka won two trophies each in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Trophy.Vinay brings with him the experience of having earned an India cap in all three formats, seven major domestic titles as captain and 504 first-class wickets from 139 matches at an average of 22.44, of which a record 442 are Ranji Trophy scalps.Vinay, who coached Hubli Tigers in the recently concluded Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament, held a meeting with fast bowlers on Monday, with the likes of Vyshak Vijaykumar and Vidwath Kaverappa, along with junior bowlers, in attendance. He will hold a session for spinners on Friday. With the ratification of his appointment coming through next week, the former pacer is expected to hold a two-week camp at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium later this month before the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament, which is the precursor to the red-ball season.Vinay takes over from Yere Goud, who has moved on to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in the role of a batting coach.
