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From NZ To Andhra! Ranji Team Hires WTC Winning Coach Gary Stead For 2025-26 Season

Aakash Saini

Gary Stead to join Andhra [Source: @SportNationNZ/x]Gary Stead to join Andhra [Source: @SportNationNZ/x]

In a move that flips the domestic coaching script, the Andhra Cricket Association have lured World Test Champion architect Gary Stead from New Zealand’s dugout to spearhead their 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign. It is worth noting that Stead stepped down as New Zealand head coach a couple of months ago, after serving his country for seven glorious years.

The former New Zealand cricketer is expected to reach Visakhapatnam later this month.

Gary Stead Joins Andhra For Two Years

Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) secretary Sana Sathish claimed that the board initially looked to hire an Australian coach. While speaking with the Cricbuzz, Sathish added that they were “struck” by Gary’s preparedness as he came to the meeting with a “complete understanding” of the Andhra team.

The report also stated that while Gary Stead and the ACA initially signed for a one-year deal, the New Zealander has agreed to commit to the state for at least two years. As per Stead’s conditions, he will be allowed to fly back to New Zealand this year in late-December to celebrate Christmas with his family amid the Indian domestic season.

The former New Zealand cricketer and coach is scheduled to fly to Visakhapatnam next week. His work visa in India has reportedly been approved and he is expected to join the Andhra team as head coach between September 20 to September 25, i.e., roughly three weeks prior to their first match of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.

Gary Stead previously served as New Zealand head coach between the years 2018 and 2025. During his tenure, the New Zealand cricket team reached the final of the 2019 World Cup, losing to England in a thrilling Super Over. The ‘Black Caps’ also made it to the semifinal of the 2023 World Cup in India, and reached the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.

However, Gary Stead’s moment of euphoria for New Zealand occurred in mid-2021 when they lifted the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) title by defeating India in the final.