Lalchand rajput biography of michaels
EXCLUSIVE | ILT20 has been a big boon for UAE players: Coach Lalchand Rajput
In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Rajput discussed the rising prominence of the ILT20. Preparing for its third season next month in the UAE, the league has rapidly become a significant platform, and Rajput believes it stands among the better leagues globally.
"ILT20 is a big league," Rajput stated. "Because if you compare with other leagues, there are seven to nine international players playing in a team. It means you have a lot of international players playing in the league. So it gives a lot of mileage. So, it is one of the better leagues."
Rajput, who assumed the role of UAE coach in February 2024, emphasised how the ILT20 has greatly benefitted the UAE's national side.
Desert Vipers' Tom Moody praises UAE cricketers ahead of ILT20 2025
"ECB [Emirates Cricket Board] players are getting benefitted with that. Otherwise, ECB players won't interact with the international players. They won't share dressing rooms with the international players. Then they cannot mature very quickly. When you play against international players, you try to get maturity early because you learn lots of things from them. So that has really helped them. It is early, it is two years only, but I am sure in the years to come the players will get benefitted, and the UAE team will become even better. That's why our team is performing consistently this
Dubai wicket may not offer much help to spinners: Lalchand Rajput
It is due to this reason that the former India opener, who was the coach of India's MS Dhoni-led World Cup-winning team in the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa back in 2007, is a "bit surprised" that India have picked as many as five spinners for the 2025 Champions Trophy for their matches in Dubai.
"It's still winter in the UAE. It's that time of the year when there is still some help for the fast bowlers on the wickets here, and there is good carry. I found it a bit surprising that India have picked five spinners in their squad," Rajput, told TOI.
India have picked five tweakers-Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundarand Varun Chakravarthy in their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.
Rajput expects the Dubai pitch to be flat. "If you saw the final of the recently-held edition of ILT20 between Desert Vipers and Dubai Capitals, 380 runs were scored in that match (desert Vipers scored 189 for five in 20 overs, while Desert Vipers overcame that target in the final over. Remember that Pakistan are the hosts of the tournament. With India not having Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan may opt for a seamer-friendly surface, or a flat track.
In their last league match of the recently-concluded Tri-Series at home, Pakistan chased down 353, with Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Agha both scoring centuries. It means that their batsmen are in good nick and they may prefer a flat track at Dubai that will negate India's attack, already missing Bumrah, further," Rajput explained his point.
The vastly-experienced coach endorsed the Indian selectors' decision to include Varun at the last minute. "Varun is bowling superbly at the moment. He could be India's 'X-factor' in the tourname
Lalchand Rajput Roped in as UAE Head Coach
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The 62-year-old Rajput's appointment comes in the backdrop of UAE failing to make it to the T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the USA this year.
Lalchand Rajput to join UAE as head coach
Former India cricketer Lalchand Rajput has been appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates men’s team for three years, replacing Pakistan’s Mudassar Nazar.
Rajput’s first assignment with the side will be the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against Scotland and Canada, being hosted in the UAE from February 28. It will be followed by a three-match T20I series against Scotland at home next month.
The 62-year-old Rajput’s appointment comes in the backdrop of UAE failing to make it to the T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the USA this year.
“UAE has emerged as one of the stronger Associate Members in recent years, and the players have put in some good performances in both ODIs and T20Is. The current batch is exceptionally talented, and I look forward to working with them and further harnessing their cricket skills," Rajput, who played two Tests and four ODIs for India, said in an Emirates Cricket Board release on Wednesday.
“I am confident that the boys, buoyed by their exposure to top-quality cricket and practice facilities here in Dubai, will continue to prosper. UAE cricket has a very bright future and my goal would be to make the team perform more consistently and take them to the next level which I am very confident they are fully capable of," he added.
Rajput was India coach when the team won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. He also had a coaching stint with Afghanistan between 2016-17, during which the ICC granted the country Test status.
His last stint as coach was with Zimbabwe (2018-22), helping the side qualify for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where the Chevrons made it to the Super-12 stage.
(This story has not been edited by News18 sLALCHAND SITARAM RAJPUT
Lalchand Sitaram Rajput
Lalchand Sitaram Rajput was born on December 18, 1961, Mumbai, Maharashtra is a ex- Indian cricketer who played in two Tests and four ODIs form 1985 to 1987. Lalchand Rajput was allocated the task as a manager of Indian cricket team for a brief time. He has been enthusiastically involved in cricket organization over the precedent several years, together with holding positions with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
Lalchand Rajput had a eminent career as an opening batsman for Mumbai, and at one time was well thought-out one of the best openers in India after Sunil Gavaskar. Nevertheless, he did not translate his promise and victory at the domestic level to the international ring, in the inadequate opportunities he had. He was an sporadic off-spinner.
He concentrated a coaching clinic held at Bangalore in April 2007.He was trainer of Under-19 Indian Cricket Team during the visit of England. Rajput was allotted as the manager of the winning Indian cricket squad for theTwenty20 World Championship 2007 held in South Africa.
Rajput is the instructor of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2008. He was trapped on camera laughing when Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth after a game between Mumbai Indians and Kings X1 Punjab. The BCCI articulated it was shameful that Rajput was laughing on spotting the incident. It was anticipated that BCCI will take strong action against Rajput.