Mumbai take Vinayak Samant on board after Sulakshan Kulkarni turns down offer
After Sulakshan Kulkarni turned down the offer to coach Mumbai, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to give the coaching duties to Vinayak Samant. Earllier, Kulkarni rejected their offer after getting to know that his remuneration was was less than what was published on the MCA website.
Kulkarni was interviewed for the role of Mumbai head coach back in May but his appointment was delayed for some reasons, even unknown to the man himself. By the time he received the letter from the MCA head-quarter, the remuneration that was written 14 lakhs despite 24 lakhs is what it was mentioned in the MCA website.
“The delay took place from the MCA’s side. I was available. Why should I be deprived? In July I went to England with the national handicap team but if the MCA appointment had come, I wouldn’t have taken it up,” Kulkarni had said on Tuesday.
After Kulkarni rejected their offer, MCA was left in a quandary and the MCA ad-hoc committee held an urgent meeting with Samant at its headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium to acquire his services for the upcoming season. Last season, Samant was at the helm of the affairs and helped Mumbai win the Vijay Hazare Trophy but the team failed to qualify for the Ranji Trophy knockouts.
Earlier in May, the MCA had shortlisted three candidates - Kulkarni, Sairaj Bahutule and Samant. While Bahutule has already joined Gujarat, MCA now have Samant on board. Mumbai will kick-off their season with the Vijay Hazare Trophy that starts from September 24.