Former Mumbai batsman Amol Muzumdar has been appointed as interim batting coach of South African cricket team. His assignment will specifically pertain to Test leg of South Africa’s tour of India. He will replace Dale Benkenstein, who departed after South Africa’s disastrous World Cup campaign. Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed this development on Monday. Muzumdar has received high-performance coaching certificates from both Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA).  

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A prolific domestic career 

Mumbai stalwart made his first-class debut against Haryana in  Ranji Trophy way back in 1994. Muzumdar was a prolific run-getter on domestic circuit raking up 11,167 runs at an aver of 48.13. Besides this, he scored 3,286 runs in List A cricket. Despite being second-highest run-getter in history of Ranji trophy, he was t able to play a single game for national side. After retiring from cricket in September 2014, he forayed into coaching teams at multiple levels, including India’s Under 19 and Under 23 sides at National Cricket Academy. Furrmore, he served as batting coach of  Indian Premier League (IPL) side, Rajasthan Royals as well as Nerlands.  

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‘Amol is a perfect fit for us’ 

Corrie Van Zyl, Acting Director of Cricket, CSA commented that Muzumdar was a perfect fit for m as he brought to fore an intimate kwledge of Indian playing conditions and challenges that South African batsmen were likely to face. He mentioned fact that Mumbai stalwart had recently assisted team at spin bowling camp held in India and had developed a good rapport with players like Aiden Makram, Tenda Bavuma, and Zubayr Hamza. Muzumdar revealed that he was approached by CSA last week and had accepted challenge of taking up this role. He furr added that being associated with an international side was a huge hour.  

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SA’s tour of India 

SA will play three T20 internationals as well as three Test matches against India from September 15. While Francois Du Plessis will captain Test side, Quinton De Kock will take up reins of captaincy in T20 format. Dale Steyn was t considered for selection despite his availability in shorter formats of game. Hashim Amla’s sudden retirement has also compounded problems for visiting side. On ir last tour of India in 2015, SA won ODI and T20 series. However, y were badly trounced 0-3 in Tests.  

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