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Lalchand Sitaram Rajputpronunciationⓘ; (born 18 December 1961) is an Indian cricket coach and former cricketer. He was appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in 2024.

Rajput played in two Tests and four ODIs from 1985 to 1987. He took up coaching after the conclusion of his playing career and has also held administrative positions with the Mumbai Cricket Association. He has served as head coach of India (2007–2008), Afghanistan (2016–2017), Zimbabwe (2018–2022) and the United Arab Emirates (2024–present). He notably coached India to victory at the 2007 ICC World Twenty20.

Playing career

Rajput had a distinguished career as an opening batsman for Bombay, and at one time was considered one of the best openers [2] in India after Sunil Gavaskar. However, he did not translate his promise and success at the domestic level to the international arena, in the limited opportunities he had. He was an occasional off-spinner.

Coaching career

Rajput attended a coaching clinic held at Bangalore in April 2007.[3] He was coach of Under-19 Indian Cricket Team during the tour of England.[4] Rajput was appointed as the manager of the World Cup winning Indian cricket team for the 2007 Twenty20 World Championship held in South Africa.

Rajput was the coach of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2008. He was caught on camera laughing when Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth after a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. The BCCI stated that it was shameful that Rajput was laughing on witnessing the incident.[5] It was expected that BCCI would take strong action against Rajput.

In June 2016, Rajput was named as head coach of Afghanistan's national team, replacing Pakistan's Inzamam ul Haq;[6] during his spell in charge, they defeated West Indies in a one-day international at Gros Islet[7] and were promoted to full membership of the International Cricket Council.[8] But the Afghan board ended his contract in August 2017;[9] he was later replaced by Phil Simmons.

In May 2018, he was named as the interim head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team.[10] In August 2018, he was appointed to the role on a permanent basis.[11] In June 2019, he was named as the coach of the Winnipeg Hawks franchise team for the 2019 Global T20 Canada tournament.[12]

In March 2022, Zimbabwe Cricket extended Rajput's contract and he served Zimbabwe up until early June 2022. Following the conclusion of Zimbabwe's home series against Afghanistan, he was replaced by Dave Houghton as the new head coach of Zimbabwe.[13][14]

Rajput was appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in February 2024. He signed a three-year contract with the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup as his first major tournament in charge of the team.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Lalchand Rajput's son to join Mizoram as 'outstation player'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Lalchand Rajput". ESPNcricinfo. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Lalchand Rajput tops in coaches clinic". Archived from the original on 8 September 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Lalchand Rajput pleased with Under-19 tour".
  5. ^ Rajput faces BCCI's ire over Bhajji-Sree slapgate
  6. ^ Former India batsman Lalchand Rajput named Afghanistan coach
  7. ^ Rashid Khan rips the fight out of West Indies
  8. ^ Afghanistan get Test status
  9. ^ Lalchand Rajput not to continue as Afghanistan's coach
  10. ^ "Zimbabwe appoint Lalchand Rajput as interim head coach". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Lalchand Rajput confirmed as Zimbabwe head coach". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Toronto Nationals sign up Yuvraj Singh for Global T20 Canada". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Dave Houghton appointed Zimbabwe head coach". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  14. ^ AP. "Afghanistan completes T20 sweep as Zimbabwe replaces coach". Sportstar. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  15. ^ Radley, Paul (21 February 2024). "Lalchand Rajput named new UAE coach ahead of Cricket World Cup qualifying". The National. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 21 February 2024.

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