MCA treasurer Jagdish Achrekar wants mentor for struggling Mumbai team

Jagdish Achrekar

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) treasurer Jagdish Achrekar has called for the urgent appointment of a mentor for the struggling Mumbai senior team before the Ranji Trophy season begins next month.

In an email to MCA president Dr Vijay Patil, Achrekar suggested the names of former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, India's 1983 World Cup-winning team swing bowler and Mumbai coach Balvinder Singh Sandhu, ex-Mumbai chief selector Milind Rege and former Test pacer Raju Kulkarni.

Poor show

Earlier, Achrekar had requested the MCA president to call an urgent Apex Council meeting to discuss Mumbai's poor showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare Trophy. It is learnt that a few Apex Council members endorsed Achrekar's suggestion.

Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani-led Mumbai outfit managed only one win from five games and were placed at the bottom in Group B in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. Earlier, under the leadership of India batsman Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai were knocked out in the league stage of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November. Former Mumbai skipper and middle-order batsman Amol Muzumdar is Mumbai's head coach.

"I suggest that we have renowned players like Dilip Vengsarkar sir, Balvinder Singh Sandhu sir, Milind Rege sir and Raju Kulkarni sir, who may come forward to help Mumbai cricket in this period of crisis. Sir, there cannot be two opinions on the sincerity of the above mentioned names as their love for Mumbai cricket is beyond doubt and their credentials are well known," Achrekar said in his email to Dr Patil. "I request you to give a thought to appoint a mentor to boost the moral of our senior men's team," he added.

Apex meet likely next week

The emergent meeting of the Apex Council could be held on December 21, followed by a joint meeting with the Jatin Paranjape-headed Cricket Improvement Committee, Salil Ankola's senior selection committee and various coaches of Mumbai teams.