Lalchand Rajput awarded full-time role as Zimbabwe head coach

Rajput has a wealth of experience in coaching and team management, having previously worked as the head of the backroom staff with the Indian team during their T20 WC 2007 as well as guiding the current batch of Afghanistan internationals, who have since gone to earn Test status. Rajput recently served as head coach of Ranji Trophy side Assam and has also mentored the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

He had also served as the coaching director at BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Rajput, 56, was appointed in charge of the team on an interim basis in June this year after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) had sacked Heath Streak following the team's failure to secure qualification for the ICC World Cup 2019. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairman Tavengwa Mukhlani noted Rajput's hard-working and passionate approach to coaching as a clinching factor in earning him the full-time role as Zimbabwe target qualification to the next T20 WC.

“We are targeting qualification for the next T20 and 50-over World Cup tournaments and we believe Lalchand has the pedigree and experience to build a young side and help us achieve our goals. Lalchand has a wealth of experience and an outstanding track record of success throughout his career. "His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward,” Mukuhlani said.

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza, who is currently participating in a training camp organised by Rajput, welcomed the appointment as well.

"Think it is a positive move from ZC. Appointing someone of his experience and stature bodes well for the future of our cricket as he is a really positive coach who brings a lot of positive energy and wants to see positive results for the team.I have been very impressed with his work ethic and attention to detail. We have worked on a lot of specifics and put a lot of time into our games. The boys have responded really well to the rigorous training schedule and we are already starting to see a lot of improvement,” Masakadza said. 

Rajput's first assignments as the head coach is a limited-overs tour of South Africa starting September 30. That will be followed by a trip to Bangladesh, where Zimbabwe will play three ODIs and two Tests.