Wankhede pitch consultant Sudhir Naik retired

Former Indian cricketer, Sudhir Naik who worked with the Wankhede cricket ground for almost 30 years has decided to quit the job.

Sudhir said that he had been criticized by Ravi Shastri last year as the pitch wasn’t what he wanted and said that the 70-year old can’t take any more of those. “I loved doing my job all these years, but I’m above 70 now. Last year, a coach (the then team India director Ravi Shastri) had a go at me as he felt the pitch wasn’t to his liking. Tomorrow, the Indian captain may dish out similar treatment to me.

“I don’t think I can take that kind of stress anymore. My two-year contract (as a pitch consultant) with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) ended on May 31, and I’ve written to them that I don’t want to continue,” the noted curator told TOI on Wednesday.

“We’ve received his resignation. We’ll appoint a new curator soon,” MCA JT secretary PV Shetty confirmed.

Also read – Being a role model carries a huge responsibility: Virat Kohli

Ramesh Mhamunkar, who has assisted Naik for the past few years is likely to take up the job. Naik said that he wants to teach young curators on how to prepare good wickets. “I want to teach young curators the art of preparing good wickets. Today’s curators are well-educated, which is good because they’re aware of the science that goes behind preparing a wicket,”

He blamed both Shastri and Ganguly for the controversy regarding the India coaching job. “Shastri should’ve come personally for the interview, instead of talking to the committee on Skype. That would’ve made his case stronger like it did for Kumble. On the other hand, Ganguly should’ve also postponed his meeting at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). You’re going to select the India coach, after all,” Naik concluded.