Former Mumbai and Railways cricketer Amit Pagnis has been appointed as the Mumbai coach for the 2020-21 domestic season, starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 Trophy from January 10.

The MCA release jointly issued by secretary Sanjay Naik and joint secretary Shah Alam Shaikh stated:  “Cricket Improvement Committee of MCA has appointed Amit Pagnis as coach of the Mumbai Senior Men Team for the season 2020-21(ending 31st March 2021).”

MCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) comprises Lalchand Rajput (chairman), Raju Kulkarni and Sameer Dighe took the decision to appoint former first-class batsman as Mumbai’s head coach after CIC's first choice, Sulakshan Kulkarni turned down the offer.

Read Also: MCA appoints former Indian pacer Salil Ankola as the new Mumbai chief selector

Samant, the former Mumbai wicketkeeper, has been Mumbai coach for the last two seasons, was first asked for the role but he denied the job by saying his term would end on March 31, 2021, meaning it would last just three and a half months, for such a short period.

Meanwhile, Pagnis told Time of India about his appointment: “I feel good. It's definitely a big responsibility. I have a short time to prepare the team, but it should not be a big problem, because some of the boys in the Mumbai team played in the IPL.”

He added, “Having been a part of the system (he was the Mumbai under-23 coach for two years and was the batting coach at the MCA's BKC academy last season) for the last few years, I know most of the boys well. I understand that the team hasn't done too well in the last two seasons, but that doesn't matter. It's about how we do this season. I'm confident that the team will put up a good show."

The 42-year-old, who played 95 first-class matches and scored 5,851 runs, is also excited to reunite with former pacer Salil Ankola who was named chief selector of the Mumbai team. Pagnis signed off by saying, “I'm looking for my 'reunion' with him. He was my teammate at Sungrace Mafatlal in the 90s.”

(With PTI/TOI Inputs)