Appointment of Vineet Saxena as HPCA Head Coach

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has confirmed the appointment of former Rajasthan opening batsman Vineet Saxena as the head coach of its senior men's team for the 2026-27 season. The 45-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the HPCA, and the association has officially communicated the decision, stating, "...glad to inform you that the Competent Authority of HPCA has approved your appointment."

Ahead of taking on his new role, Saxena will also serve as the head coach of 'Team 3' for the upcoming Emerging Men’s Tournament at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru from July 6 to July 24. Former domestic player Siddharth Trivedi will assist him as the assistant coach. Saxena will collaborate with other prominent coaches such as Wasim Jaffer, Ramesh Powar, and Debashish Mohanty during this tournament.

Experience and Achievements

Vineet Saxena is a well-known figure in Indian domestic cricket, having scored 7637 runs in 129 First Class matches. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, managing the Rajasthan senior men's team for a year. Additionally, he has been involved in national development pathways, serving in short-term coaching assignments for the BCCI at the CoE, as well as working with the India A and India Under-19 squads.

Reactions and Expectations

Saxena expressed his enthusiasm for the new role with Himachal, stating, "This is a big assignment for me. The team is in a phase of transition, so it’s a good opportunity to work with the players and make the side into a formidable unit. I am grateful for the opportunity from the HPCA," he told TOI. Saxena, who also works for India Post, is set to take on the dual responsibilities of coaching at the HPCA and the Emerging Men’s Tournament.