The tour, which has been planned to provide the players with quality match practice ahead of what promises to be a long and demanding domestic calendar, will see Goa take on an international side in five friendly fixtures.
“It will be an exposure tour for our players, as they would play against international players leading up to a gruelling season,” Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Tulsidas Shetye told Sportstar.
The association hopes the experience of facing an established international outfit will help its young squad adapt to higher standards of competition before the domestic season gets underway.
Dinesh Mongia named coach, no clarity on Arjun Tendulkar
Meanwhile, Goa will begin the new season under a new coach. Following Milap Mewada’s move to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, the GCA has appointed former India all-rounder Dinesh Mongia as the head coach for the forthcoming campaign.
Mongia, who represented India in 57 ODIs and played a key role in the country’s run to the 2003 World Cup final, brings considerable domestic and international experience to the role. The association believes his experience will be valuable as Goa looks to build on the progress made in recent seasons.
On the player front, Lalit Yadav and V. Koushik will continue as Goa’s outstation professionals.
However, uncertainty remains over Arjun Tendulkar’s future with the side.
The left-arm pacer, who has represented Goa over the last two domestic seasons after moving from Mumbai, is yet to communicate his plans for the upcoming campaign.
“He hasn’t told us anything about his availability as yet, so we are not sure if he wants to continue,” Shetye said.
“We will wait for some more time and take a call accordingly,” he added.
With no confirmation from Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, the association has started exploring alternatives and is looking to rope in a third guest player before the season begins.
Sportstar understands that the GCA also explored bringing in an experienced India international from Mumbai in a dual role as mentor and captain. Initial discussions were held, but the move eventually failed to materialise after the player, who has also led India, decided against relocating to Goa.
The association is expected to finalise the remainder of its squad and support staff before the team departs for Oman next week.
Published on Jul 28, 2026
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