He Cracked UPSC, Played For Indian Cricket Team, Scored A Debut Fifty — Then Became A Coach

Every cricketer dreams of representing their country at least once. In India, where millions aspire to be the next Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah, earning a national cap is extraordinarily difficult. Now imagine doing that while also clearing one of India’s toughest examinations, the UPSC. It sounds almost impossible, yet one cricketer achieved exactly this: Amay Khurasiya.

Amay Khurasiya cleared the civil services examination even before making his international debut for India against Sri Lanka in 1999. As of February 22, 2025, he serves as an inspector in the Indian Customs and Central Excise Department. Alongside his administrative career, he went on to represent India in 12 One Day Internationals during a brief international stint.

Rise Through Domestic Cricket

Amay Khurasiya earned his India call-up through outstanding performances in domestic cricket. Known as an aggressive left-handed batsman, he was admired for his ability to score quickly and dominate bowlers.

His international career began in style, as he struck a rapid half-century against Sri Lanka on debut, instantly grabbing attention.

Challenges At The International Level

Despite the promising start, Khurasiya struggled to cement his place in the national side. He was selected for the 1999 World Cup squad but did not get an opportunity to play.

His last appearance for India came against Sri Lanka in July 2001. After that, he was dropped from the team and was never recalled.

Domestic Numbers Speak Volumes

While his international record remained modest, Amay Khurasiya was a giant in domestic cricket. Playing for Madhya Pradesh, he scored 7,304 runs in 119 first-class matches at an average of 40.8, including 21 centuries and 31 half-centuries. In 112 List A matches, he amassed 3,768 runs at an average of 38.06, with four centuries and 26 fifties.

In contrast, his international tally stood at 149 runs from 12 ODIs, averaging 13.54, with his debut fifty being his only half-century.

Retirement And Reflections

In April 2007, Amay Khurasiya announced his retirement from professional cricket. At the time, he openly expressed regret about not receiving enough opportunities at the international level when he believed he was at his peak.

However, he made it clear that his association with cricket would continue in a different role.

A New Chapter As Coach

After retiring, Amay Khurasiya turned to coaching. He is currently the head coach of the Kerala cricket team, having taken charge last October.

Under his guidance, Kerala enjoyed a historic run and reached the Ranji Trophy final for the first time. Although the team narrowly missed the title, their performance earned widespread praise, signalling that under Khurasiya’s leadership, Kerala cricket is moving firmly in the right direction.