Sameer Dighe appointed Mumbai coach

Having featured in six Tests and 23 ODIs during his 12-year stint at the top, the 48-year-old is expected to carry the legacy of Mumbai cricket forward.

It is understood that Mumbai chief selector Agarkar had a word with Dighe on Friday before the CIC recommended a two-year term for the former Indian wicket-keeper.

Sameer Dighe, the former Mumbai and India wicket-keeper-batsman, has replaced Chandrakant Pandit as Mumbai coach for the next two seasons. Dighe's appointment was formalised by the Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA's) Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) on Friday.

Once the CIC, which over the last week has appointed Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector and made an overhaul of all the age-group selection committees and coaches, had decided to stick to its policy of bringing in fresh faces, it was clear that neither Pandit nor Praveen Amre, who had shown interest in returning for a third stint despite being the CIC chairman, bowed out of the race.

While Amre remained absent for Friday's meeting, the CIC, chaired by Agarkar, chose Dighe over the other two. Dighe, a close friend of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, has had coaching stints with Mumbai Indians (fielding coach), Tripura and National Cricket Academy, hoped he would do justice to the role.

“It's a great honour and a big responsibility to have been appointed as the coach of Mumbai's team. I am excited to return to the Mumbai dressing room after a gap,” Dighe told The Hindu.

It is understood that Agarkar had a word with Dighe on Friday before the CIC recommended a two-year term for Dighe. Having featured in six Tests and 23 ODIs during his 12-year stint at the top, the 48-year-old is expected to carry the legacy of Mumbai cricket forward.

The CIC has also asked chief trainer Amogh Pandit and Dr. Anant Joshi to shortlist candidates for the posts of trainer and physiotherapist, resctively, for the senior side.