Mumbai's cricket coach drama: MCA appoints Amol Muzumdar, CIC sticks to Ramesh Powar

Amol Muzumdar

Their poor performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament notwithstanding, Mumbai's preparation for the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy hasn't got off to a better start.

Ramesh Powar

On Friday, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) secretary Sanjay Naik and joint secretary Shahalam Shaikh informed the all-powerful Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) headed by Lalchand Rajput that domestic stalwart Amol Muzumdar has been appointed head coach for the 2020-21 season.

The letter stated that the appointment was done as per Rajput's three suggestions in an email on February 1 and considering there is limited time on hand.

Selection trials on
Selection trials are underway with over 100-plus cricketers trialled over the last one week. However, the CIC preferred to stick with the candidate of their choice - Ramesh Powar.

Reminding MCA that the coach's appointment is CIC's decision, Rajput in response to MCA's email (a copy of which is with mid-day) wrote: "The CIC has the prerogative to appoint the coach and the CIC committee feels that Mr Ramesh Powar is the right candidate to be the coach of the Mumbai senior team since he has been the coach of the Indian senior women's team and is associated with the National Cricket Academy as a senior coach." Rajput also made his displeasure known after not getting a response from the MCA office-bearers over previous communication in the last couple of weeks.

Rajput in his previous email had suggested announcing the selectors and coaches for respective teams as early as possible and begin with various age-group tournaments. The CIC came to know of coach Amit Pagnis's resignation after the T20 tournament, from the media, Rajput had stated.

It is learnt that the MCA has been contemplating sacking the CIC, consisting of Rajput, Raju Kulkarni and Sameer Dighe, after being given the mandate from the general body on December 27. However, a veteran ex-MCA official played a key role in ensuring that the CIC functions without any interference.

Conflict of interest issue
An MCA official said two CIC members are allegedly in conflict of interest. "The two CIC members are disqualified because they couldn't get any relief in the conflict of interest issue. So, the new CIC members are yet to be appointed. After appointing a new CIC, they will appoint the coach," the official said.