Mumbai appoints Amol Muzumdar as head coach for 2021-22 season

The decision to appoint him for the role was taken by the Cricket Improvement Committee, comprising Jatin Paranjape (Chairman), Nilesh Kulkarni and Vinod Kambli on Tuesday.

Muzumdar was a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, amassing 11167 runs in 171 First-Class matches between 1993 and 2013.

Amol Muzumdar, the eight-time Ranji Trophy champion with Mumbai, will return to his alma mater after more than a decade as head coach for the 2021-22 domestic season.

According to the Cricket Improvement Committee chairman Jatin Paranjape, who along with his colleagues Nilesh Kulkarni and Vinod Kambli interviewed eight candidates last week, it was Muzumdar’s brand of “Mumbai way of playing” that worked in his favour.

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“He has been a part of many great moments in Indian cricket. We just thought that his experience as a young coach and his involvement with some of the best years of Mumbai cricket made him the most suitable candidate,” Paranjape said.

Muzumdar, having represented Assam and Andhra in his latter years after leaving Mumbai following the 2008-09 triumph, lifted the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy as captain in 2006-07. Despite having won the Hazare Trophy in the curtailed last season, it’s been five seasons since Mumbai have been winless in Ranji Trophy.

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“No doubt it will be one of the top-most priorities, to get back to winning ways in the Ranji Trophy is critical for Mumbai cricket,” Muzumdar told Sportstar .

“It’s been a while since I have been in Mumbai colours. I am happy to be back. It’s a great honour and a challenge. Looking forward to it. Mumbai has always been dear to me. I am very grateful to everyone who has thought that I would be capable.”

After having retired in 2014, Muzumdar has had an impressive resume as coach.

A certified Level III coach from Australia, Muzumdar has worked as the Rajasthan Royals’ batting coach in the Indian Premier League. He also had a short stint as South Africa’s batting coach during its tour to India in 2019. Besides, he has also been a broadcaster, primarily for domestic cricket, thus staying in touch with the younger lot.

“I have always believed in staying with touch with the modern generation. I have always been inclined towards learning new things, be it while cricket or afterwards,” he said.

“I have always strived to be with the younger lot and learn new tricks. That’s helped me in my mindset. That’s probably a reason I had an extended season while playing.”