Vadodara: Baroda team is set to get a new coach for the next cricketing season. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) management has already decided to embark on its search mission for a new Ranji team coach later this month.
The decision was taken as the current coach, Sanath Kumar, is recovering from a brain-stroke he had suffered earlier this month. “We will have an important annual general meeting (AGM) on March 19 after which we will begin search for the new coach. We are looking for an experienced hand who can manage the players and coach them well,” said Ajit Lele, BCA secretary.
When asked if they have already listed any possible names, Lele said, “Former India cricketer Chandrakant Pandit’s name is being considered. His current term with other cricket association is ending. Also under considerations are names of Level III coach, Mukund Parmar and ex-India player Rishikesh Kanitkar.” He, however, was quick to add that they are still weighing options and nothing has been decided yet.
A section of BCA, however, feels that the association should go for a local coach. “Baroda has once won Ranji Trophy and later ended in the finals under local coach. BCA can rope in a local former cricketer instead of giving hefty fees to some outsider,” a BCA official said.
But the BCA management has no plans to hire a local Ranji coach as it feels that the locals get influenced by persons having vested interests.
After Kumar’s sudden exit, former India player Munaf Patel is playing the dual role of mentor as well as coach for Baroda. Kumar was appointed as Baroda coach in June last year by the managing committee. This Kumar’s second stint with the Baroda Ranji team as he had earlier worked here in 2011-12.
In his earlier stint as coach here, Baroda was champions in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and performed well in Ranji tournaments. Fifty-six-year-old Kumar has played 11 first class matches between 1986-87 to 1988-89. “He suffered paralysis on the right side of his body but is recovering,” Lele added.
The decision was taken as the current coach, Sanath Kumar, is recovering from a brain-stroke he had suffered earlier this month. “We will have an important annual general meeting (AGM) on March 19 after which we will begin search for the new coach. We are looking for an experienced hand who can manage the players and coach them well,” said Ajit Lele, BCA secretary.
When asked if they have already listed any possible names, Lele said, “Former India cricketer Chandrakant Pandit’s name is being considered. His current term with other cricket association is ending. Also under considerations are names of Level III coach, Mukund Parmar and ex-India player Rishikesh Kanitkar.” He, however, was quick to add that they are still weighing options and nothing has been decided yet.
A section of BCA, however, feels that the association should go for a local coach. “Baroda has once won Ranji Trophy and later ended in the finals under local coach. BCA can rope in a local former cricketer instead of giving hefty fees to some outsider,” a BCA official said.
But the BCA management has no plans to hire a local Ranji coach as it feels that the locals get influenced by persons having vested interests.
After Kumar’s sudden exit, former India player Munaf Patel is playing the dual role of mentor as well as coach for Baroda. Kumar was appointed as Baroda coach in June last year by the managing committee. This Kumar’s second stint with the Baroda Ranji team as he had earlier worked here in 2011-12.
In his earlier stint as coach here, Baroda was champions in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and performed well in Ranji tournaments. Fifty-six-year-old Kumar has played 11 first class matches between 1986-87 to 1988-89. “He suffered paralysis on the right side of his body but is recovering,” Lele added.
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