Goa state cricket team to tour overseas for pre-season camp [Source: AFP]In an interesting development, the Goa state cricket team is set to tour Oman for a 10-day practice camp ahead of the domestic season. However, all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar is missing from this plan of action.The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is scheduled to kick off in October, and state teams have begun their preparations. But Goa’s senior cricket team have raised their standards by organising an overseas tour.Goa to tour Oman under Dinesh Mongia’s leadershipAccording to Sportstar, the Goa state cricket team will travel to Oman from August 8 to August 18 for a 10-day pre-season camp. During the tour, they will play 3 ODIs and 2 T20I games. All five games will be against the Oman senior cricket team. The idea is to give Goa's players match practice against an international side before India's domestic season begins.And for this important tour, former India all-rounder Dinesh Mongia has become Goa's new head coach. This shift comes after Goa’s former coach Milap Mewada joined the BCCI CoE.Also, Dinesh Mongia is the perfect man for the job. He played nearly 60 ODIs for India and was a part of the 2003 ODI World Cup squad. Hence, he will bring international experience to a relatively young Goa team.Also Read - Arjun Tendulkar Insulted By LSG Teammate On His Debut In IPL 2026Arjun Tendulkar yet to confirm his participationInterestingly, the squad that will travel to Oman for this pre-season camp is yet to be announced officially. However, according to reports, all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar has not confirmed his availability.Apparently, Tendulkar is unsure if he still wants to continue playing for Goa in the upcoming domestic season. Notably, the all-rounder moved his home state from Mumbai to Goa in 2022 for better opportunities.He performed well for Goa in the Ranji Trophy, but this year, Arjun Tendulkar appears to be weighing his options. For now, Goa will continue having Lalit Yadav and Koushik as guest players.When will Goa play their first Ranji Trophy game?As per the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season schedule, Goa will open their campaign against Baroda on October 11. They are placed in Group Elite A, where they will face Mumbai, UP, Vidarbha, Bihar and Hyderabad.In the previous season, Goa finished at the bottom of the Elite B group with just a single victory in 7 games. Goa has been struggling in the domestic circuit for the longest time.Hence, this overseas tour to Oman is organised for exposure and experience. Players are expected to take the camp seriously and ensure the next domestic season surpasses expectations.While the Elite A group is competitive this year, Goa will certainly have to raise their standards if they wish to stay relevant in the Indian domestic circuit.Also Read - Mohammed Shami's India Career All But Over As BCCI Reveal Future Plans
