The year was 2011, and the iconic PCA Stadium in Mohali was the venue for an exhilarating clash between the Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. With Chennai setting a daunting target of 188 runs, victory seemed inevitable for them. However, an unheralded player named Paul Valthaty emerged as the unexpected hero, scoring an unbeaten century to lead his team to a stunning victory. Fast forward 13 years, and Paul Valthaty is once again making headlines, this time as he has been appointed the head coach of the Seattle Thunderbolts, a team in the Minor League Cricket in the USA.
Paul Valthaty’s Appointment as Coach
On August 22, the Seattle Thunderbolts announced through their social media channels that Paul Valthaty will be taking over as their head coach for the upcoming season. Valthaty brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously run his own cricket academy in Kandivali, Mumbai. Alongside Valthaty, the Thunderbolts have also appointed Ian Dev Chauhan as the new captain, who has notably served as the captain of Jammu and Kashmir’s state team.
Career Journey of Paul Valthaty
Paul Valthaty has had a diverse cricketing career, playing a total of five first-class matches and four List A games in India. His most significant contributions came in the T20 format where he played 34 matches. Valthaty is best remembered for his standout performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored a brilliant century against the Chennai Super Kings in 2011, finishing with an unbeaten score of 120 runs and leading Kings XI Punjab to a remarkable win. In total, he accumulated 505 runs over 23 matches in the IPL.
From Prominence to Absence
After the 2013 IPL season, Valthaty’s presence in professional cricket diminished significantly, with no major teams bidding for him in subsequent seasons. He made a brief return to the field in 2018 when he was picked up by the Mumbai South Central team in the Mumbai T20 League for a modest sum of 50,000 rupees. Valthaty also ventured into commentary, collaborating with cricket legends like Brian Lara to bring insights into the game.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in America
Now, with his appointment as the head coach of the Seattle Thunderbolts, Paul Valthaty is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in his cricketing journey. As Major League Cricket gains traction in the United States, Valthaty’s experience and expertise will be crucial in guiding the team and nurturing emerging talents in the American cricketing landscape.
