India Domestic Cricketer Sulakshan Kulkarni Appointed Oman Head Coach

Sulakshan Kulkarni has been appointed Oman’s new head coach, succeeding long-serving coach Duleep Mendis after the T20 World Cup 2026.

Former Indian domestic cricketer Sulakshan Kulkarni has been named the new head coach of the Oman national cricket team, succeeding long-serving Sri Lankan coach Duleep Mendis. The transition comes after the T20 World Cup 2026, which marked Mendis’ final assignment in charge of the side.

Mendis concluded an influential 14-year tenure with the national team and has now moved into a new position as Chief Development Officer with Oman Cricket. Over more than a decade at the helm, he played a pivotal role in shaping Oman’s rise in international cricket and helped the team secure qualification for four editions of the T20 World Cup.

Despite his remarkable journey with the team, Oman’s latest T20 World Cup campaign ended on a disappointing note. Drawn in a tough Group B alongside Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Ireland, the side struggled throughout the group stage and failed to register a single victory.

Oman Cricket acknowledged Mendis’ contribution to the sport in the country through an official statement.

“Duleep Mendis transitions to Chief Development Officer at Oman Cricket after 14 remarkable years at the helm, leaving behind a stellar legacy of historic milestones and taking Oman cricket to unprecedented heights. His impact on the national team and the game’s growth in the country is truly immeasurable,” Oman Cricket wrote.

Kulkarni Promoted After Serving As Deputy Coach

Kulkarni takes over the role after working closely with Mendis as the assistant coach since July last year. His promotion marks the beginning of a new phase for the national team as Oman looks to build on the progress achieved in recent years.

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter brings vast experience from the domestic cricket circuit in India. Over the years, he has been associated with several prominent teams including Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh in coaching roles.

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Kulkarni also enjoyed a lengthy playing career in domestic cricket. Between 1985 and 2002, he appeared in 65 first-class matches, scoring 3332 runs which included six centuries at an average of 38.29. In List-A cricket, he featured in 13 matches and scored 130 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.66.

During his playing days, Kulkarni represented multiple domestic sides such as Mumbai, Railways, Assam and Vidarbha.

Oman’s Upcoming International Schedule Faces Delay

Meanwhile, Oman’s next international assignment was originally scheduled to be the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures in Nepal, where they were set to face the UAE and Nepal.

However, the series has been postponed due to ongoing tensions in West Asia that have caused widespread flight cancellations, affecting travel plans for participating teams.

With Kulkarni now officially taking charge, Oman will aim to turn the page and begin a fresh chapter as they prepare for their upcoming international commitments once the schedule resumes.