12 February,2021 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Harit Joshi
Cricket Improvement Committee chief Lalchand Rajput
Mumbai cricket is going through one of its toughest phases. After a forgettable outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, where they lost four of their five games in the league stage. Mumbai kickstarted their preparations for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over tournament) just a few weeks back.
While over 120 players were slugging out in the selection trials, the corridors of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) were busy with the coach appointment saga. Ramesh Powar was the Cricket Improvement Committee's (CIC) choice while MCA preferred Amol Muzumdar.
After several email exchanges between CIC chief Lalchand Rajput and the MCA office bearers, Powar was finally appointed for the hot seat on Tuesday.
The entire episode could have been avoided, felt Rajput. "If proper process was followed, there would not have been any misunderstanding. Ramesh had applied to the secretary and a copy was marked to the CIC. The CIC did not know that Amol had shown interest. Since we had Ramesh and taking into consideration his experience at the National Cricket Academy and senior India women's team, the CIC felt he was the best candidate for the job. Hence, he was appointed," Rajput told mid-day from Zimbabwe, where he is coaching their national team.
MCA has been sitting on key appointments like coaches and selectors despite the CIC finalising the candidates last October itself. Though Amit Pagnis had resigned immediately after the Mushtaq Ali T20 debacle last month, new coach Powar was appointed only on Tuesday. Pagnis was appointed only 24 days before the T20 tournament.
The BCCI has already announced that U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy and a women's tournament will be conducted in the COVID-hit season, but the MCA is yet to swing into action.
Rajput agreed timely appointments will make a difference. "Obviously, if they [coaches and selectors] are appointed well in advance, the selectors can plan their line of action. The coach can plan properly for the season. You can't rush things at the last minute," said India's 2007 World T20-winning coach.
Mumbai have been struggling to find a coach ever since Chandrakant Pandit was ousted in 2017. In three seasons, Mumbai have had as many coaches with Powar being the third one. Captains too have been changed. "That's what the CIC would like to address as we want the coach to be around for a long period. But this season there was uncertainty because of COVID but surely the tenure of the coach should be for a longer period. The selectors' job is to appoint the captain and I am sure they will be looking at the continuity factor."
Rajput felt a healthy environment is important for the team to perform better.
"Everyone wants Mumbai to be where it belongs. We all know that the performance over a period of time has not been up to what Mumbaikars are expecting. We, the CIC, would like to give the coaches, selectors and players a healthy environment so that the team performs better. We all - MCA, CIC, players, support staff - have to create that environment so that the players have the feel-good factor to perform to the best of their abilities. I am sure in time to come, Mumbai will start performing like a champion team if the management creates a healthy environment," Rajput signed off.
