Paras Mhambrey Appointed Mumbai Indians' Bowling Coach

Paras Mhambrey Appointed Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Coach

Former India seamer Paras Mhambrey has been appointed as Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Mhambrey, who previously served as MI’s assistant coach, will work alongside current bowling coach Lasith Malinga under newly appointed head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

Mhambrey brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as India’s bowling coach from 2021 to August 2023 under Rahul Dravid. During his tenure, India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. He was also part of the MI setup when the team won the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013.

In addition to his international and IPL experience, Mhambrey has also coached in Indian domestic cricket. He oversaw the India A team and helped Bengal reach successive Ranji Trophy finals in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

As a player, Mhambrey represented India in two Tests and three ODIs between 1996 and 1998. He played for Mumbai in domestic cricket, taking 284 wickets in 91 first-class games and 111 wickets in 83 List A games.

Mhambrey’s appointment is part of a wider coaching staff overhaul at MI. On Sunday, the franchise announced the return of former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene as their head coach. The coaching staff’s first task will be to finalize Mumbai’s retentions ahead of the October 31 deadline.

MI finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2024 with just four wins in 14 games under new captain Hardik Pandya. The team will be hoping that the new coaching staff can help them return to their former glory in the upcoming season.

India's Pace Puzzle: Selectors Seek Clarity for Australia Tour

India’s Pace Puzzle: Selectors Seek Clarity for Australia Tour

With the highly anticipated five-Test tour of Australia looming, the Indian team management faces the daunting task of finalizing its pace attack amidst uncertainty surrounding the fitness of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami.

Akash Deep, despite his limited Test experience, has emerged as a beacon of assurance for the team. His impressive debut against England earlier this year showcased his ability to provide seam movement and control. Former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes Akash possesses the attributes necessary to succeed in Australia’s challenging conditions.

The selectors face the challenge of selecting five pacers for the tour, with workload management playing a crucial role. Even if Shami regains fitness, the team will require an additional pacer alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash.

The team management is keen on including a left-arm option, with Yash Dayal currently in contention. Khaleel Ahmed and Arshdeep Singh are also potential candidates. Dayal appears to be the frontrunner, as his ability to create rough outside the off-stump could prove valuable in conjunction with Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav.

Prasidh Krishna, with his height and seam-extracting capabilities, is another potential inclusion. The team management has invested heavily in his development, and his experience with the Kookaburra ball could be an asset.

The success of India’s pace attack in the previous Australia tour was largely attributed to the rigorous preparation provided by Rahul Dravid and Paras Mhambrey at the NCA. While the current crop of pacers may not have the same level of experience, they have been exposed to Kookaburra balls in India to familiarize themselves with the conditions.

The upcoming three Tests against New Zealand and Shami’s potential return to domestic cricket next month will provide further clarity on the team’s pace resources. The selectors must carefully consider the workload management of their key bowlers and make strategic selections to ensure a balanced and effective attack for the all-important tour of Australia.

Umran Malik's Absence from Indian Team Raises Concerns About Lack of Red-Ball Experience

Umran Malik’s Absence from Indian Team Raises Concerns About Lack of Red-Ball Experience

Umran Malik’s meteoric rise to fame in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022, where he showcased his blistering pace and ability to consistently bowl over 150 km/h, earned him a spot in the Indian white-ball squad. However, despite his early promise, Malik has not featured for India in more than a year, raising questions about his current predicament.

Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that Malik’s rapid rise without substantial red-ball cricket experience is a significant factor in his current situation. According to Mhambrey, Malik’s swift ascent to the national team via the IPL is typical of a bowler who lacks the grounding that comes from playing longer formats. With only 12 First-Class matches under his belt, Malik has struggled to maintain his place in the national lineup.

“Umran is a classic case of someone who has not played enough red-ball cricket,” Mhambrey told The Indian Express. “He came into reckoning through the IPL. That’s 24 balls in a game. Sometimes you don’t even get to bowl 24 balls. The amount of pressure in bowling 24 balls is not like the red ball. I feel this (T20) is not a format to judge a prospect.”

Mhambrey emphasizes the importance of First-Class cricket for developing a bowler’s skills and endurance. He explains that while the IPL offers a platform for showcasing talent, it doesn’t replicate the mental and physical demands of longer formats.

“For all the perks that come with bowling in the IPL, it has its repercussions as well,” Mhambrey continued. “We made sure that he played Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket. The moment you play one season, you understand your bowling. Physically, you will be tested in different phases of the game. Sometimes you will have to be on the ground for six sessions. And to be able to bowl with that intensity when the last session is coming up, you will be physically and mentally challenged. And you need to go through that.”

Mhambrey’s insights highlight a crucial element in Umran Malik’s development: the need for experience and endurance that comes only from playing red-ball cricket. Without this foundation, Malik has found it challenging to adjust to the rigors of international cricket, leading to his exclusion from the team.

Morne Morkel Appointed as India's New Bowling Coach

Morne Morkel Appointed as India’s New Bowling Coach

Former South African pace legend Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team, completing the support staff for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. Morkel, 39, replaces Paras Mhambrey and will take over from the Bangladesh series starting on September 19. He has been appointed until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Morkel was Gambhir’s preferred choice, having worked with him at Lucknow Super Giants during the Indian’s two IPL seasons as mentor of the franchise. The South African has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for his country, taking a total of 544 international wickets.

Morkel’s appointment is seen as a significant move, given his experience and success as a fast bowler. He will be tasked with handling the transition phase as Mohammed Shami enters the latter stages of his career and Jasprit Bumrah needs more potent support, especially in red-ball cricket.

Morkel’s biggest challenge will be to nurture the next generation of Indian fast bowlers, including Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur. He is expected to work closely with VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The other members of Gambhir’s support staff include assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. India has never had a dedicated spin bowling coach, but Sairaj Bahutule, who is part of Laxman’s team at the NCA, has traveled with the senior team on occasion.

Suryakumar Yadav Named India's T20I Captain, Hardik Pandya Snubbed

Suryakumar Yadav Named India’s T20I Captain, Hardik Pandya Snubbed

The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain of India’s T20I team has sparked debate, particularly given the omission of Hardik Pandya from the leadership role. Pandya has previously led India in T20Is in Rohit Sharma’s absence and was his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign.

India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, explained that the decision to name Suryakumar captain was based on fitness considerations. Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who recently concluded his tenure, has endorsed the decision, citing Suryakumar’s exceptional skills and leadership qualities.

Mhambrey emphasized that Suryakumar’s consistent performance and ability to win games for India make him an ideal choice for captaincy. He also highlighted Suryakumar’s strong bond with the team, including the younger players.

“He’s been with the team. I’ve seen him interact with the young guys. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he’s good at it. So, has a good bond with everyone in the team,” Mhambrey said.

Mhambrey also commented on the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach, expressing confidence in his experience but acknowledging the need for time to achieve optimal results.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, commencing on July 27. The series will provide an opportunity for him to demonstrate his leadership abilities and further cement his position as a key figure in Indian cricket.

Kohli and Shami's Mental Strength Key to India's Success, Says Mhambrey

Kohli and Shami’s Mental Strength Key to India’s Success, Says Mhambrey

India’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has lauded the exceptional mental strength of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, attributing it to Team India’s success.

Kohli’s aggressive batting style and Shami’s calm and composed bowling approach may differ, but their shared mental resilience has been instrumental in India’s achievements. During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Kohli topped the batting charts with 765 runs, while Shami led the bowling charts with 24 wickets.

Mhambrey highlights Kohli’s ability to chase down mammoth scores, a skill that has significantly improved India’s performance in shorter formats. He also praises Shami’s deep understanding of his game and his ability to adapt his training to suit his needs.

Despite their contrasting personalities, Kohli and Shami share a common understanding of their roles within the team. Their mental strength allows them to absorb pressure and deliver consistent results.

Mhambrey believes that Kohli’s work ethic has inspired younger players in the Indian team. He observes that youngsters seek guidance from Kohli, eager to learn from his wisdom and preparation techniques.

Mhambrey emphasizes that becoming a GOAT (greatest of all time) requires a combination of innate skills, hard work, vision, and inspiration. He believes that Shami and Bumrah possess exceptional skills that cannot be replicated, but their greatness is also attributed to their attitude and dedication.

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