IND vs SA | South Africa might miss out on other aspects by focusing only on Indian spinners, feels Amol Muzumdar

One of the biggest unsolved mysteries in Indian cricket history is that of Amol Muzumdar never representing the country in a single international match. The veteran cricketer, who now is 44 years of age, played no less than 171 first-class matches in the domestic circuit, amassing more than 11,000 runs at an average of almost 50. But alas, he never went on to play for India and one can consider the Mumbaikar extremely unlucky in that aspect. 

"If you plan and prepare, then it’s only a question of execution. Against spin, we’ll have to deal with it. It’s an ongoing process. It requires skill and the right mindset. If you have that balance, you should be able to tackle it," he added.

"There was lot of diversity in my playing career just like the way it’s with my coaching career. And I love it. I don’t stick to a plan," he said. "I enjoy working with people from different ethnic backgrounds. You must make sure they’re in a comfortable space. You should integrate into their culture whether it’s the Australians, the Dutch or the English. In that respect coaching is a challenge.

"In the last few years of my playing career I went to Holland as player-cum-coach. There was a lot of coaching involved right from their junior boys to the main team. Then I returned to India to play first-class cricket for Assam for whom I doubled up as player and captain — I coached them too," he said.

"It’s a great opportunity. Coaching Rajasthan Royals in the IPL has given me a platform. It’s a superb franchise that gave me an opportunity to work with world-class players, some of whom are the best in the business. International cricket is a different kettle of fish," he said.

But now, Muzumdar has just one primary goal in his mind, which is to break the stereotype that only international cricketers can coach in international cricket. The former Mumbai cricketer explained how coaching was a completely different aspect and said that all that matters is a person's knowledge about the game. 

"If I know my subject fairly well – and mine is batting – and can give valid suggestions, then my job is to convince him (the player). How I do it is my skill. And if I know my subject well – which I do after 21 years of first-class cricket and four years in junior cricket – I don’t feel the urge that I should have played international cricket," he signed off.