MCA repose faith in former India batsman who coached Mumbai to three Ranji titles
Praveen Amre will have his task cut out after Mumbai's poor season
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) finally ended the suspense over the appointment of its Ranji Trophy coach yesterday.
Praveen Amre will have his task cut out after Mumbai's poor season
After weeks of speculation, the Managing Committee arrived at a decision to bring back coach Praveen Amre who took Mumbai to three Ranji Trophy wins in his previous tenure between 2006-07 and 2010-11.
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The former India batsman will take the place left vacant after Sulakshan Kulkarni's removal following Mumbai's quarter-final exit from the Ranji Trophy.
Former India pacer and Mumbai's last Ranji Trophy-winning captain Ajit Agarkar was touted as the frontrunner for the post.
"We have appointed Praveen Amre as the Mumbai coach. Ajit Agarkar was busy due to his media commitments. I am not sure what the reason is, but Nitin Dalal (the other Joint Secretary) spoke to him and he said he won't be able to do it," Dr PV Shetty, MCA's Joint Honorary Secretary, told mid-day yesterday.
However, a source said Agarkar was "not interested" in taking up the job. mid-day was the first to inform Amre about his appointment. He refused to comment as there was no official communication from the MCA.
Rajput storms out?
Meanwhile, it is learnt, the former India coach and current India 'A' coach Lalchand Rajput walked away from the meeting after he did not agree over the appointment of U-16 coach Amol Ghag.
Dr Shetty however quashed this speculation. "He did not walk out. He had some work and that is why he left. The meeting was over in 10 minutes after he left," he said.
Amre was earlier part of the Pune Warriors India coaching staff where he worked alongside South African great Allan Donald.
Even after Amre left his job with Mumbai, many players like Ajinkya Rahane, Abhishek Nayar and Aditya Tare sought his help.
It may be recalled, Rahane worked with Amre for nearly a month before he hit his first Test century on the last tour to South Africa.
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