Samant named Mumbai Ranji coach ahead of Powar
MUMBAI: Vinayak Samant has pipped ex-india off-spinner Ramesh Powar to be appointed as Mumbai Ranji Trophy coach on Thursday.
“I was on vacation in London when I applied for the job. I was expecting to get the job but with Ramesh Powar in the fray I wasn’t sure.
“The committee must have liked my presentation and my body of work to hand me the job,” said the 46-year-old Samant, who has also represented Tripura in Ranji Trophy.
Known for his tenacity as a player, he guided the Mumbai under-23 team to the Col CK Nayudu title in 2015-16. He also coached the Namo Bandra Blasters in the T20 Mumbai League this year.
The former Mumbai wicketkeeper played 101 first class games, scoring 3,496 runs with a highest score of 200 not out.
While Samant will be given a one-year contract, he is looking at it as a long-term prospect. “I don’t look at it as just a one-year job but from a long term point of view. Cricket is not just a job for me, it’s a religion. I’m passionate about it,” said Samant, who is an assistant manager with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.
Powar, with experience as an international, was not considered. Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar said: “There is a managing committee resolution that those who quit the job will not be considered again.”
Powar, who was spin bowling coach at the MCA Academy, had resigned earlier this year after labelling MCA’S functioning ‘unprofessional’.
Former India stumper Ajay Ratra, former Rajasthan coach Pradeep Sundaram, and former first-class players Nandan Phadnis and Pradeep Gandhe had also applied for the job.
Former Mumbai all-rounder Wilkin Mota was appointed the under-19 coach.