Gavaskar returns to MCA after a decade

Mumbai:

Sunil Gavaskar has returned to head the Mumbai Cricket Association's Cricket Improvement Committee after a decade's absence from any activities connected with his cricketing alma mater.

Gavaskar was named as the chairman of the CIC, dealing with all cricket matters including the appointment of coaches and various selection panels, at the MCA's Managing Committee sitting here last evening.

"Gavaskar had been sounded out (on the issue of including him on the committee) by Mr (Sharad) Pawar (MCA President)," said MCA sources who added that 20 sub-committees were also chosen at the meeting.

The only time the former India skipper had been associated officially with MCA after his playing days was in 1998 when he was co-opted as a vice president to fill in the spot vacated by ex-Test fast bowler Ramakant Desai after the latter's death.

Among other members of the CIC, that also deals with plans for Mumbai cricket for the season, picked on Sunday were former Mumbai Ranji Trophy skipper Milind Rege, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Sanjay Manjrekar, both former Test cricketers.

"The other members are Maidan men Dr P V Shetty and Deepak Patil, besides women's cricket representative Diana Eduljee," the sources said, adding that the committee also includes the office-bearers of the MCA as its ex-officio members.

"We are going to meet again next Sunday and would finalise the floodlights for the revamped Wankhede Stadium for which two firms - Bajaj and Philips - have been short-listed," the sources said, adding the quotations by the two companies were Rs 6.80 crore and Rs 7.40 lakh.

"We would be negotiating with their representatives," the sources added.

Also on the agenda of the meeting is the progress that has been made in securing the area from the adjoining Mumbai Hockey Association for redevelopment of the Wankhede Stadium's stands at the south end.

"Negotiations are almost over and we would know how much extra space we would be getting," the sources indicated.