Mark Boucher appointed as the new Mumbai Head Coach
A day after the news broke that Mark Boucher is set to relinquish his contract a year before it ends as South African head coach, speculations were rife as to whether he would take up a gig at the newly launched SA 20 League or with one of the Indian T20 League franchises. Boucher served South African cricket with full dedication during a tumultuous period and has provided the proteas side with the direction it needs going forward.
Now, the Mumbai side in the Indian T20 League has asked Mark Boucher to step in for Mahela Jayawardene as the head coach of the Mumbai side. He was looked at as the perfect candidate to fill this void created by the absence of Mahela Jayawardene, who has been promoted to a global role within the Mumbai setup itself.
It is important to note that Mark Boucher left the South African coaching stint to explore further opportunities elsewhere and what better platform than the Indian T20 League. It is to be noted that Mark Boucher has also had prior experience as a player in the Indian T20 League as he has played for the Bangalore and Kolkata franchises as a wicketkeeper-batter. He was part of the Bangalore side in 2009 when they reached the final in South Africa.
He has also served as a commentator in the Indian T20 League. Boucher once was drafted into the Kolkata side a day after he finished his commentary stint. In an edition of the Indian T20 League, he was drafted into the playing eleven in place of Brad Haddin who had sustained an injury.
I look forward to coaching the Mumbai Franchise – Mark Boucher on getting the Head Coach position
This is what Mark Boucher had to say – “Their history and achievements as a franchise clearly put them up there as one of the most successful sporting franchises in all of world sport,” Boucher said of Mumbai Indians in a franchise statement. “I look forward to the challenge and respect the need for results. It’s a strong unit with great leadership and players. I look forward to adding value to this dynamic unit.”
