Ever since the Mumbai Indians management invited Mumbai coach Praveen Amre for a presentation on Sunday, it was clear that the former India middle-order batsman will have some role to play in the MI set-up.
Ever since the Mumbai Indians management invited Mumbai coach Praveen Amre for a presentation on Sunday, it was clear that the former India middle-order batsman will have some role to play in the MI set-up.
Amre yesterday signed the dotted line as the "Assistant Coach" of the team with Shaun Pollock as the Chief Mentor (read Head Coach).
"My role would be to facilitate between the two South African coaches Shaun and Jonty (Rhodes) and the players, especially the domestic players," Amre told MiD DAY yesterday. "And given that there are so many Mumbai players in the squad, it wouldn't be too different than working with the Mumbai team."
Given that the second season of the Indian Premier League is being played in South Africa, it wasn't a surprise to see the MI management opting for Amre. After all, the Rainbow Nation is as good as second home for the 40-year-old.
Amre had scored a century on his Test debut at Kingsmead in Durban in 1992-93 and had then returned to South Africa for a domestic cricket season with Boland in 1999.
So the thought of not getting enough time to prepare for his new assignment did not even touch Amre's mind.
"I know the conditions by heart," he said. In fact, Amre is excited to return to his favourite destination.
"South Africa has a special place in my heart. Every trip has been memorable for me so far. Let's hope this will also be such a visit for me and the team," he said.
