Mumbai begin hunt for new coach

MUMBAI: With Ramesh Powar appointed as India women’s coach on Thursday, Mumbai will have to look for a new coach for the next season.

Powar’s exit may open the door for former Mumbai captain Amol Muzumdar, who was approached by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) office bearers last season to take over the reins of the team after Amit Pagnis resigned following team’s dismal showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

But the Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC), headed by former-India player Lalchand Rajput, decided on recommending Ramesh Powar’s name for the top job. The tussle led to a long delay in the appointment of the Mumbai coach.

Later, Rajput softened his stance and backed Muzumdar’s candidature for the post considering time was very less for Vijay Hazare Trophy to begin but Muzumdar made himself unavailable after he learnt of the administrative tussle over the appointment.

Former India off-spinner Powar, who was given a shortterm contract, clicked right away and guided Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare title. For the next season, the MCA committee was divided over giving the job to Powar or Muzumdar with the office bearers in favour of Muzumdar to take over.

The MCA had recently floated application for the post of selectors. However, the decision to appoint the new coach is unlikely to be taken anytime soon. Rajput has filed a complaint with MCA’s Ethics Officer cum Ombudsman, Justice Vijaya Tahilramani, urging her to reinstate CIC and declare the appointment of new CIC headed by Jatin Paranjpe invalid. A similar complaint has been filed by CIC member Raju Kulkarni. Till the matter is resolved, they urged her to bring stay on appointments of selection committee, coach and support staff for Mumbai team.

With no decision taken yet, it will be a while before new selectors and coach is appointed.