Mumbai are most likely to lose their most reliable spinner to Rajasthan.
On Saturday, there were reports that off-spinner Ramesh Powar has signed a two-year contract with the Rajasthan Cricket Association. However, the former India player is yet to obtain a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association. Powar said he would meet the MCA officials on Monday.
The 35-year-old has been a pillar of Mumbai’s bowling since he made his debut in 1999-2000 and once formed a famous troika alongwith leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule and left-arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni.
The trio was a headache for many an opposition and hunted down their opponents. They were a part of many Ranji Trophy triumps.
However, the 2012-13 season did not go well for the offie, who managed to take just six wickets from five Ranji games.
Former Mumbai coach Praveen Amre, under whom Powar had a huge role as a senior pro, was surprised to hear about the cricketer’s move.
“It is surprising if Powar is going. It will be a big loss for Mumbai. He has been loyal soldier of the team and always delivered when it mattered. Mumbai will always miss a senior like him. In fact, I feel there is still no competition for Powar here,” said Amre.
Amre added that Powar would be an asset to Rajasthan. “A player like him can be an asset to any team. He will be a senior pro in the team and Rajasthan are doing well of late so a lot will be expected from him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Powar said in Jaipur that he will gel well with Rajasthan skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar. “Hrishi and I have been good friends and have played together for departmental teams, Mumbai and West Zone teams for years. We have good understanding and he offered me to play for Rajasthan,” said Powar.
“I have been part of Mumbai team for 13-14 years and it had become quite a routine affair. So, I shifted to Rajasthan. It is a different feeling while playing for champion teams like Mumbai. We always stepped in to win. Same would be here.
Criticised for his bulky frame, Powar has worked on his fitness and has shed weight drastically. “It was a challenge for me to lose weight. I have worked hard because I feel playing for Rajasthan ushers in a new innings for me. I want to contribute in all departments and that is why I wanted to be in best shape,” he said.
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