The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced that they will dedicate the Pavilion Block at their Rajnagar ground in Hubballi to former Indian cricketer Sunil Joshi. This tribute recognizes Joshi’s significant contributions to cricket at both state and national levels. The naming ceremony, scheduled for noon, will coincide with the commencement of the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir.
Hailing from Gadag district, Sunil Joshi played a crucial role in his early cricketing days in Hubballi. The decision to name the Pavilion Block after him is a gesture of respect and admiration for his remarkable cricketing journey and his enduring connection with cricket in North Karnataka. This tribute aims to honor one of Karnataka’s most distinguished cricketing figures.
The KSCA expressed that naming the Pavilion Block after Sunil Joshi not only acknowledges his accomplishments but also aims to inspire young cricketers who will grace the field at Hubballi in the future. The event, set to honor Joshi, will be graced by notable personalities including KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, and Santosh Lad, the district in-charge minister of Hubballi-Dharwad.
Sunil Joshi, who represented India in 15 Tests and 69 ODIs between 1996 and 2001, was a key player for Karnataka. Apart from his playing career, Joshi served as the chief selector for two years, overseeing India’s Test series victory in Australia in 2020/21. He also contributed as a member of the selection committee from March 2020 to early 2023. Additionally, Joshi coached domestic teams like Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh and served as the spin bowling coach for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL. Currently, he holds the position of spin bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and was part of the coaching staff when India clinched the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Harare recently.
