Ramesh Powar appointed as new Mumbai coach

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has roped in former India spinner Ramesh Powar as their head coach to finally end the speculation surrounding the post. Powar has replaced Amit Pagnis as the coach after the latter stepped down following Mumbai’s poor showing in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

Pagnis was named as Mumbai’s coach on December 17, just around a couple of weeks before the team had to enter a bio-secure bubble for the T20 tournament. And his stunt ended prematurely after Mumbai’s disastrous run in the domestic T20 championship. The domestic powerhouse finished the six-team Group E at the bottom with their only win coming in their last match of the campaign.

Mumbai lost to Delhi, Kerala, Haryana and Puducherry before beating Andhra to bow out of the tournament with a win. Powar will be looking to change the fortunes of the team in the coming days. The former cricketer has been offered the contract only for this season, according to an MCA office-bearer. “The appointment is for this season for now and going forward, we will see,” the MCA official said.

I am grateful to the MCA: Ramesh Powar

Expressing his delight over getting the job, Ramesh Powar thanked MCA and Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) for trusting him. He further said he is looking forward to creating a good environment in the dressing room and helping the team play a positive brand of cricket.

“I am grateful to the MCA and CIC for trusting my abilities. I am looking forward to creating a positive environment in the side and playing a positive brand of cricket for which Mumbai is always known. I am looking forward to the assignments ahead,” Powar was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Powar’s stint with Mumbai will start with the Vijay Hazare Trophy which will start later this month. Mumbai have been clubbed with Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Pondicherry in Group D. An off-spinner, Powar played 31 ODIs and two Tests from 2004 to 2007, picking 34 wickets. In 2018, he was also appointed as the head coach of the women’s national team.