The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed former left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan as head coach of Mumbai Under-14 team. Chavan was one of the three Rajasthan Royals players who was banned for life for the alleged spot-fixing in 2013. They were allowed to resume their competitive cricket two years ago after the Indian cricket board had reduced their ban to seven years.
Chavan continued to play club cricket in Mumbai for Karnataka Sports Club and later cleared his Level-1 exam as for coaching.
“I’m looking forward to it (on his new assignment). It’s a second innings for me and there is always a turn around. I really want to thank MCA for showing faith in me. Coaching was certainly on my mind and I know what challenges it has going ahead. As it’s Under-14 cricket I want to work on the basics of players and show them the path so that they can improve their game,” Chavan told The Indian Express.
In 2013, the BCCI disciplinary committee had found S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Chavan guilty of spot-fixing in the IPL and had handed them life bans. However in 2015, a Delhi trial court dropped all charges against these players for lack of evidence. However, the BCCI continued to impose a life ban. In June 2021, the BCCI reduced the ban of all cricketers involved in spot fixing scandal to seven years.
Chavan played 18 First-Class matches and 20 List A games apart from 13 IPL matches.
Salvi retained as Mumbai coach
The MCA announced its appointments of coaches and selectors across age group cricket on Wednesday. The MCA has decided to retain its head coach of the Ranji Trophy team Omkar Salvi for next domestic season. MCA president Ajinkya Naik in a statement said, “His (Salvi) outstanding leadership and coaching over the past two seasons have played a vital role in the team’s strong performances. His ability to bring out the best in players has been exceptional.”
On the back of his Ranji Trohpy show, Salvi was appointed as bowling coach of Royal Challengers of Bangalore last season.
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Sandip Patil will also continue as the chairman of the selection committee.
