From 'Goa Cannon' to Kerala coach: Swapnil Asnodkar pads up for a new innings
toi
newspoint|23-09-2026
KOCHI: Swapnil Asnodkar once made his name with his fearless strokeplay. Now, Kerala wants him to take on a different challenge: getting its batters to attack with the same conviction that once made him IPL's breakout star.
The former Goa batter was appointed head coach of Kerala's Ranji Trophy team on Tuesday, succeeding Amay Khurasiya, who stepped down at the end of the previous season. It is, in many ways, a tectonic shift in Asnodkar's role, who built his reputation as a fearless strokeplayer, and whose coaching career, has more recently brought him into Kerala's system.
Asnodkar was appointed Kerala’s U-23 coach last year, and that familiarity with the state’s emerging players was a key factor in the Kerala Cricket Association’s ( KCA 's) decision to elevate him to the senior job.
“I like to thank the KCA for giving me this opportunity. Kerala is a good team and I will give my best shot,” Asnodkar told TOI.
Former Karnataka coach Sashikant and former Australia pacer Shaun Tait were among those who applied for the job, but the selection panel believed Asnodkar was better suited to the composition of the current squad.
“The selection committee felt Asnodkar would be the perfect fit in the current mix, given that the team has so many young players who have graduated from the U-23 setup,” KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar said.
At 42, Asnodkar's task is to bridge that gap between potential and performance across formats. Kerala’s bowling has gained experience with the return of Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate. The batting, however, remains Asnodkar's concern.
“The return of veterans like Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate has bolstered our bowling. It is the batting that has been the concern,” he said.
His prescription is simple: batters must convert their ability into runs, giving the bowlers enough to work with. “My job as the head coach is to ensure that our batters bat to their potential and put the runs on the board, which would give our bowlers a chance to take 20 wickets and put results on the board,” Asnodkar said.
Among the young players he has identified are Varun Nayanar and Mohammed Enan. But developing individuals is only one part of the assignment. Asnodkar also wants the squad to move together, a challenge that can become particularly important in a team containing players at different stages of their careers.
“There are some talented players like Varun Nayanar and Mohammed Enaan. Very little time on our hands,” he added. Kerala begin their season on Oct 11, with an away game against Jharkhand.
Before the IPL gave him a national profile, he was one of the many domestic cricketers working his way at the domestic circuit. His breakthrough came with the Rajasthan Royals in 2008, where Shane Warne recognised something in the right-hander’s attacking game.
Warne nicknamed him the "Goa Cannon” with a clear brief: Use his wrists and score through clever strokeplay.
For those eight weeks, he became one of the most eye-catching performers in the Royals setup. His form did not last into subsequent seasons, but the imprint remained.
These qualities that made Asnodkar an intriguing batter: aggression, instinct and an ability to back his game, are qualities he must now transmit to the Kerala squad.
The former Goa batter was appointed head coach of Kerala's Ranji Trophy team on Tuesday, succeeding Amay Khurasiya, who stepped down at the end of the previous season. It is, in many ways, a tectonic shift in Asnodkar's role, who built his reputation as a fearless strokeplayer, and whose coaching career, has more recently brought him into Kerala's system.
Asnodkar was appointed Kerala’s U-23 coach last year, and that familiarity with the state’s emerging players was a key factor in the Kerala Cricket Association’s ( KCA 's) decision to elevate him to the senior job.
“I like to thank the KCA for giving me this opportunity. Kerala is a good team and I will give my best shot,” Asnodkar told TOI.
Former Karnataka coach Sashikant and former Australia pacer Shaun Tait were among those who applied for the job, but the selection panel believed Asnodkar was better suited to the composition of the current squad.
“The selection committee felt Asnodkar would be the perfect fit in the current mix, given that the team has so many young players who have graduated from the U-23 setup,” KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar said.
At 42, Asnodkar's task is to bridge that gap between potential and performance across formats. Kerala’s bowling has gained experience with the return of Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate. The batting, however, remains Asnodkar's concern.
“The return of veterans like Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate has bolstered our bowling. It is the batting that has been the concern,” he said.
His prescription is simple: batters must convert their ability into runs, giving the bowlers enough to work with. “My job as the head coach is to ensure that our batters bat to their potential and put the runs on the board, which would give our bowlers a chance to take 20 wickets and put results on the board,” Asnodkar said.
Among the young players he has identified are Varun Nayanar and Mohammed Enan. But developing individuals is only one part of the assignment. Asnodkar also wants the squad to move together, a challenge that can become particularly important in a team containing players at different stages of their careers.
“There are some talented players like Varun Nayanar and Mohammed Enaan. Very little time on our hands,” he added. Kerala begin their season on Oct 11, with an away game against Jharkhand.
Before the IPL gave him a national profile, he was one of the many domestic cricketers working his way at the domestic circuit. His breakthrough came with the Rajasthan Royals in 2008, where Shane Warne recognised something in the right-hander’s attacking game.
Warne nicknamed him the "Goa Cannon” with a clear brief: Use his wrists and score through clever strokeplay.
For those eight weeks, he became one of the most eye-catching performers in the Royals setup. His form did not last into subsequent seasons, but the imprint remained.
These qualities that made Asnodkar an intriguing batter: aggression, instinct and an ability to back his game, are qualities he must now transmit to the Kerala squad.
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