The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has appointed former India opener Wasim Jaffer as Mentor – Cricketing Activities for a two-year term, with his tenure set to begin on August 1. In his new role, Jaffer will supervise all senior and age-group teams while playing a key part in shaping the association’s overall cricketing programme.
Jaffer, the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history with 12,038 runs, retired from competitive cricket in 2020 and has since built a strong coaching portfolio. His experience includes coaching assignments with Punjab, Uttarakhand, Odisha and Vidarbha, along with serving as a batting consultant for Bangladesh’s Under-19 men’s team and batting coach of Punjab Kings during the 2019 and 2023 IPL seasons.
HCA Head of Cricket Operations Ambati Rayudu said the association believed Jaffer’s vast domestic cricket experience made him the ideal choice to guide Hyderabad’s emerging talent.
“I played with him, I’ve grown up seeing him play, I know how his mind works and how disciplined he is. Nobody knows the domestic circuit as well as he does. We wanted to bring positivity and guide talented players in the right direction, and Wasim Jaffer is the best person for it,” Rayudu told Sportstar.
Apart from overseeing teams, Jaffer will conduct coaching clinics for both players and coaches. He is also expected to travel with different squads during the domestic season, including the Ranji Trophy and age-group competitions.
“He will be travelling with the teams. Maybe two games for Ranji Trophy, one game with Under-23, one game with Under-16 and so on. We want to inculcate a winning mindset and bring a good cricketing culture here. Not only to the players, but also the coaches. We want to maximise his services,” Rayudu added.
HCA Secretary Jeevan Reddy said Jaffer accepted the role after receiving assurance that he would have complete freedom in carrying out his responsibilities.
“The only thing Jaffer wanted was freedom to do his work without any interference from the association and we gave him that guarantee, which is what convinced him. We are here to take care of him and he is here to take care of our players,” Reddy said.
Alongside the appointment, HCA has outlined ambitious infrastructure plans. The association intends to develop district academies with grounds, dormitories and basic facilities across Adilabad, Karimnagar, Kammam, Avavnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizambad and Warangal. It also plans to establish four Centres of Excellence in Suryapet, Jagityal, Nagarkurnool and Zaheerabad, with each 15-acre facility designed to meet BCCI standards.
