Former India U19, Ranji Trophy and IPL Player Anand Rajan has been appointed the Head Coach of Pondicherry Senior Team for the season of 2024-25. Anand Rajan is an experienced cricketer himself who represented India U19 while he played for Madhya Pradesh Senior Team between 2005 to 2014. In IPL, Anand also played for Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Post his remarkable cricketing career, Anand forayed into coaching journey and he has made a name for himself as one of the top young coaches in Indian Domestic Circuit. More recently, Anand was also the Coach of India U19 Team player Saumya Pandey who emerged as the highest wicket taker in India U19 World Cup in 2024. Anand was also the assistant coach to Uttarakhand Ranji Team in the 2023-24 season. Under his mentorship, Gaurav Yadav with 41 wkts went on to become the season’s highest wicket taker too!
A Certified Coach from MRF Pace Bowling Foundation training under legends like Glenn Mcgrath and Denis Lilee, Anand also holds BCCI Level 2 qualification to his repertoire. Anand in the previous season was also the Bowling Coach with Uttarakhand Team who reached the Quarter Finals in Ranji Trophy. Anand also coached India U16 Team and personally trained Adhiraj Mangat who became the highest wicket taker for Punjab in Vijay Merchant Trophy.
Anand has also mentored many players over the years who are currently playing in IPL and India. From the likes of Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Kuldeep Sen, Venkatesh Iyer to name a few who have been fine tuned by Anand before they went on to become big names!
Anand will begin a new journey serving as the Head Coach of Pondicherry Ranji Team, Anand shared with Zoomcricket.in “Really excited for this new role with Pondicherry Team, they have an amazing unit and talented bunch of players, the overall environment is also great to grow together, we will be giving our best and putting our best foot forward in the coming season”