31 March,2015 08:51 AM IST | | Clayton Murzello
Mumbai's chief selector quits post for the second time in two years; Patil, as reported in the Indian Express, asked the Mumbai Cricket Association not to consider him as chairman for the next season
Sandeep Patil
Sandeep Patil has quit as Mumbai's chief selector for the second time in two years! Patil, as reported in the Indian Express last week, asked the Mumbai Cricket Association not to consider him as chairman for the next season.
Sandeep Patil
Patil, who is chairman of the national selection committee, told mid-day yesterday: "I have no time to watch local cricket. I thought I would be able to watch local matches but again, due to my travelling and watching Ranji Trophy games, I was not doing justice to my MCA post."
Mumbai exited the Ranji Trophy after losing to Karnataka in the semi-finals. Last January, Patil quashed rumours of him quitting the post by saying in these columns, "I am concerned about Mumbai cricket and won't turn my back on it. Mumbai cricket needs me and if I don't help, who will?"
So why this change of heart? Patil responded: "I was coming to selection meetings and asking my co-selectors for feedback. You need someone who is constantly in Mumbai. I didn't feel comfortable just depending on my co-selectors. Personally, I was not happy with my contribution."
There's hope
Despite Mumbai's domestic season being viewed as a rocky one, Patil felt it was not so bad. "Despite three senior players on national duty and untimely injuries to main players during entire Ranji season, Mumbai did pretty well by reaching the Ranji Trophy semi-finals.
"Like the Indian team, the Mumbai team is also going through a transition period, but I am confident Mumbai will settle down in two years' time." He hailed Karnataka's great run and called them the Australia of domestic cricket but stressed they too had to overcome hurdles.
So who should replace Patil as chairman of selectors? Patil reckoned Chandrakant Pandit would be a good man to get back - as chief selector or coach (now that Pravin Amre is not coach anymore). Patil also mentioned Ajit Agarkar.
"You need people who can be completely involved. Today's cricket is different. There is not only Ranji Trophy, but even Twenty20 cricket. Go for people who can move around," remarked Patil.
