Ranji Trophy final: It's about players, not coaches, says Amol Muzumdar

Amol Muzumdar refuses to get caught up in the hype surrounding Ranji final, says it's not all about him versus past master PanditMUMBAI: If Mumbai are in the Ranji Trophy final for the first time since the 2016-17 season, some credit is due to Amol Muzumdar. Under fire after Mumbai crashed out of the two white-ball tournaments when he took over as the head coach, the domestic stalwart has shepherded the team impressively. "He's like a parent, or an elder brother to these boys.

He guides them so well and makes them feel very comfortable. If he has to point out someone's mistake, he'll do that privately. He'll play cricket and football with the guys in the rain as if he's one of them.

You've to be in the dressing room to see the difference that he's made to the side," says a source in the Mumbai team. Sparing some of his time on a day Mumbai travelled to Bangalore for the final against Madhya Pradesh at the Chinnaswamy Stadium from June 22, Muzumdar spoke about some outstanding players in this side, and the team's fabulous Ranji campaign this season. Excerpts...You played in so many Ranji finals as a player and as a captain.

Mumbai have made it to the Ranji final in your first season as a head coach with them. How does that feel?It's a 'good pressure.' Honestly, what we've done is that we've been following a process since the first game of the season. We're focused internally.

People are putting this as a battle of coaches between you and Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit. Mumbai last won the Ranji Trophy with him as the head coach back in the 2015-16 season. Knowing how good he is tactically, do you look at it?Chandu is a proven customer as far as coaching is concerned.