Gary Stead, World Test Champion Coach, Takes Helm at Andhra Pradesh Cricket

In a major breakthrough for Indian domestic cricket, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has secured the services of Gary Stead, New Zealand’s World Test Championship-winning coach, as head coach of its senior men’s team for the 2025-26 season. The appointment marks a rare instance of a coach with proven international pedigree taking charge of an Indian state side.

Stead, 53, brings heavyweight credentials. He oversaw New Zealand cricket between 2018 and 2024, guiding the Black Caps through 268 matches and masterminding their biggest triumph — the 2021 World Test Championship win against India. He also took the team to the 2019 World Cup final and the 2021 T20 World Cup final, cementing New Zealand’s reputation as one of the most consistent sides of the last decade.

“The passion for cricket here is palpable. I look forward to working closely with the players, support staff, and leadership to build a team that competes with heart and purpose,” Stead said after his appointment.

The former Black Caps coach has signed a one-year deal with ACA, though both sides have left the door open for an extension. Stead is expected to arrive in Visakhapatnam later this month, with his tenure likely to begin between September 20 and 25. He will assess Andhra’s talent pool and work in tandem with the state selection committee on building a competitive squad.

ACA officials revealed that they were initially exploring Australian candidates but were impressed by Stead’s thorough preparation during talks. “He came into the first meeting with an in-depth knowledge of our players,” ACA secretary Sana Sathish Babu said, adding that Stead’s approach reflected his long-term vision for Andhra cricket.

“We were initially looking at an Australian coach. Then a friend suggested, why not try Gary? So we reached out to him, and right from the very first conversation, we were struck by his preparedness. He came to the meeting with a complete understanding of our team," the report cited ACA secretary Sana Sathish Babu as saying.

Stead’s appointment is widely viewed as a game-changer for Andhra cricket. Beyond immediate results, his focus will be on nurturing homegrown talent and raising the state’s profile in India’s fiercely competitive domestic structure.