Hubli witnessed a historic moment in cricket on Tuesday as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) unveiled the Sunil Joshi Pavilion at the KSCA Stadium. This tribute honors the stellar career of India’s former left-arm spinner, who represented the nation with distinction in both state and international arenas.
The inauguration took place during the Ranji Trophy final between Jammu & Kashmir and eight-time champions Karnataka. BCCI President Mithun Manhas and KSCA chief Venkatesh Prasad jointly officiated the ceremony, marking a fitting recognition of Joshi’s contributions to the sport.
Sunil Joshi attended the event alongside his wife Ravneet, visibly moved by the gesture. Karnataka’s former Chief Minister and Union Minister Prahlad Joshi also graced the occasion, adding political weight to the celebrations.
Speaking to reporters, Joshi expressed his gratitude, saying, ‘I never imagined my name would adorn a pavilion like this. I thank KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and Sintoosh Menon for this honor. My dedication over the years has finally been acknowledged.’
A key figure in Karnataka’s setup, Joshi played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs for India between 1996 and 2001. In Tests, he claimed 41 wickets and scored 352 runs, including a half-century. In ODIs, he took 69 wickets and amassed 584 runs.
His domestic record is equally impressive: 615 wickets and 5,129 runs in 160 first-class matches, plus 192 wickets and 1,729 runs in 163 List A games. Beyond playing, Joshi served as chief selector for two years, contributing to India’s memorable 2-1 Test series win in Australia during 2020/21.
From 2023 to 2025, he coached spin bowling for Punjab Kings in the IPL. Currently, Joshi guides young talents as spin bowling coach at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where his mentorship helped the Indian U-19 team clinch the Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup earlier this month.
This pavilion stands as a testament to Joshi’s enduring legacy, inspiring future generations of cricketers in Karnataka and beyond.