Powar, Muzumdar in fray to coach Mumbai

MUMBAI: Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar has again offered his services to coach the Mumbai team. Amol Muzumdar, former Mumbai stalwart, is also in contention to take over the reins of the struggling team which saw head coach Amit Pagnis resigning after the team’s disastrous showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Mumbai finished at the bottom of their group.

In a mail addressed to Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Apex Council, Powar stated: “I am very thankful to all of you for rectifying the earlier resolution which was restricting me to take up any coaching job in Mumbai Cricket Association. I am always available for Mumbai cricket whenever need arises.”

Powar was banned in 2018 by the ad-hoc committee for criticising MCA’S functioning. Powar had written to MCA president Vijay Patil in November 2020, urging him to revoke his ban.

The decision to withdraw the ban was taken during the AGM in December last year.

Meanwhile, it was decided during the Apex Council meeting on Thursday that the MCA officer bearers will meet the Lalchand Rajput-led Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) to discuss the Mushtaq Ali debacle and appoint the new coach.

“We have accepted the resignation of Amit Pagnis. We will now meet the CIC in the next few days and then decide our future course of action,” said MCA secretary Sanjay Naik.

There were suggestions that the CIC should be removed but it is learnt that most of the members were of the opinion that they should be allowed to complete their tenure which ends on March 31. It was also decided to add another 20 players to the probables which were selected before the Mushtaq Ali Trophy and start a training camp from February 1 at the BKC ground.

It was also decided to name the MCA Lounge after former India captain Late Ajit Wadekar.