‘Failure’ forces Manoj Prabhakar to resign as UP coach

LUCKNOW:Finally, the alleged tussle between the UP Ranji Trophy team management and the chief coach Manoj Prabhakar came to a ‘bitter end’ on Monday with the former India speedster resigning from his post, citing personal reason.

Ever since the last domestic season came to an end this March-April, a campaign against the ‘failure’ of Prabhakar was on, and there was a strong possibility of his sacking before the start of the next season as selection committee as well as team management reportedly had ‘serious difference’ with him.

“The relations between the team management as well as coach weren’t good throughout the season and exit of Prabhakar was certain, but before this could be done by the UPCA, the coach himself chose to part ways with the state team,” a team player told HT on condition of anonymity.

Interestingly, one of the selection committee members in his report to the UPCA too had criticized Prabhakar for ‘ignoring them’ in terms of selection of the team as well as the playing 11. “Yes, I shot a letter to the UPCA against Prabhakar as he fielded one such player, who was nowhere in the selectors list,” said the selector preferring anonymity.

“Even the team management had lost control over the playing 11 and everything was being decided by the coach himself.”

This wasn’t for the first time when a former international cricketer and that too from other states, who succumbed to failures of Uttar Pradesh team, which have big names like Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla etc.

Under the guidance of former Team India bowler Venkatesh Prasad as coach, the UP Ranji team did not show any remarkable performance.

As far as UP’s performance in domestic cricket is concerned, they always did great under the leadership of their own men.

In 2005-06, they won their maiden Ranji Trophy under the guidance of Rajinder Singh Hans. But it was former Team India cricketer Gyanendra Pandey, who guided the team to make it to the finals twice, besides achieving many a success.

Confirming Prabhakar’s resignation, acting secretary of the UPCA Yudhveer Singh claimed that it was Prabahkar’s own choice to leave the UP team and the cricketing body had nothing to do with this.

“Prabhakar cited ‘personal reasons’ for his resignation. In his letter to u, he claims that he has a busy schedule next season so he won’t be able to spare time for the UP team,” said Singh.

He, however, said that last year Prabhakar was roped in as coach for UP’s Ranji team. His contract was for a maximum period of two years, but before his contract is over, Prabhakar tendered his resignation. “There was nothing from our side so far,” clarified Singh.

Prabhakar too confirmed that resignation was his own decision and there was no other reason behind this. “I have a tight schedule (business) next season so I informed UPCA’s director Rajiv Shukla about my resignation,” Prabhakar said.

It is learnt that Uttar Pradesh had an unforgettable outing last season, finishing at the seventh place in Group A in Ranji Trophy, besides failing to make a mark in other trophies like Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy etc.

“UPCA will hold a meeting in June to pick a new coach. Statelevel players and those of international repute are being considered for this post,” said Singh.