Unlike BCCI, MCA allows coaches to be part of T20 League

Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strict guidelines that disallow any of their coaches or support staff members to be associated with the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) teams to avoid conflict of interest. However, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has provided leeway to various teams' coaches and support staff members to be part of the inaugural T20 Mumbai League.

Yesterday, the MCA kickstarted the process of registering coaches and support staff who will be required by the six teams for the March 11-21 T20 Mumbai League. Due to the BCCI ruling, the likes of Rahul Dravid had to disassociate himself with the Delhi Daredevils, the franchise he last represented as head coach. The Indian team's coaches and support staff members were also forced to discontinue their IPL contracts and were given a 12-month contract to compensate for two months of IPL.

However, the coaches and support staff associated with the MCA have a 12-month contract and there are raised eyebrows already over possible conflict of interest scenarios. MCA's Joint Secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar said: "The decision to let the MCA coaches and support staff be part of the Mumbai T20 league was taken in the last Managing Committee meeting. A three-member committee has been formed comprising Pravin Amre, Arman Malik and Arvind Kadam to prepare the coaches and support staff list which will be submitted to the franchises."

The MCA has decided to earmark Rs 15 lakh for coaches and support staff of the teams. Every team will have a mentor, coach, physio, trainer and video analyst. "Any addition to the support staff will be completely at the expense of the franchise," an MCA official said. There is no clarity yet as to whether Mumbai coaches, who are associated with other state teams, can be part of the Mumbai T20 league.