Former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya has been appointed Uttar Pradesh's head coach ahead of the upcoming Indian domestic season, which sees the return of the Ranji Trophy. He takes over from Gyanendra Pandey who has stepped down from the post.

"We look forward to a fantastic journey for achieving all our dreams under his proven mentorship," UPCA posted on Twitter.

Dahiya brings with him the experience of coaching Delhi and being part of IPL backrooms in the past. He had worked with the Kolkata Knight Riders as an assistant coach and more recently performed a similar role for Delhi Capitals in the league.

Dahiya played two Tests and 19 ODIs for India between November 2000 and April 2001. Dahiya had a more successful domestic career, effecting 159 dismissals in first-class cricket for Delhi. Only Surinder Khanna (171) and Punit Bisht (216) have claimed more victims among Delhi keepers in first-class cricket.

UP will open their 2021-22 domestic campaign with a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 fixture against Chandigarh in a Group E clash on November 4.