Chandrakant Pandit: ‘I would only laugh’

The MCA’s decision has not gone down well with former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who expressed surprise at Pandit’s ouster.

Pandit, the former India stumper, who took up coaching as a career, was the coach of the Mumbai team that won the title in 2015-16 and was the runner up in 2016-17.

Former Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit said he “would only laugh at the decision taken by the people involved with the appointment of a new coach for the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team for 2017-18 season. I don’t want to say anything more.’’

On Friday, the Mumbai Cricket Association ( MCA) issued a one-line statement that former Mumbai and India wicket-keeper batsman Sameer Dighe has been appointed coach of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team for 2017-18 season. The former India stumper, who took up coaching as a career, was the coach of the Mumbai team that won the title in 2015-16 and was the runner up in 2016-17.

The MCA’s decision has not gone down well with former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar. Following the Supreme Court order that disqualified office bearers who have completed nine years, Vengsarkar resigned as vice-president of the MCA and as Chairman of the Cricket Improvements Committee (CIC). The CIC makes all cricket related appointments.

At the prize distribution function of the 68th Salar Jung Communitiy Invitation Cricket Tournament and the Padmakar Talim Shield Tournament at the Parsee Gymkhana on Friday, Vengsarkar expressed surprise at Pandit being removed after the Mumbai team he coached, won the title and finished runner up in the last two seasons.