Lalchand Rajput, an opener from Mumbai, played 2 Tests and 4 ODIs for India between 1985–1987, alongside a prolific domestic career with nearly 8,000 first-class runs.
He served as India’s team manager (interim head coach) during the 2007 T20 World Cup, where MS Dhoni’s team lifted the inaugural title.
Rajput was the first-ever head coach of Mumbai Indians in the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
He later coached Afghanistan (2016), helping them rise as a competitive T20 side, and then Zimbabwe (2018–2022) for almost four years.
Since February 2024, Rajput has been the head coach of the UAE cricket team, guiding them to win the ACC Premier Cup 2024 and qualify for the Asia Cup after 9 years.
Known for building emerging teams, Rajput’s coaching journey highlights his role in India’s T20 triumph, IPL beginnings, and developing international teams like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and now UAE.