COACH of Vidarbha’s Under-23 side Trevor Gonsalves has been promoted as coach of the senior team for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament. Trevor was coach of the Under-23 team that won the Col CK Nayudu Trophy 2019-20 played at Indore in March 2020. Vidarbha Cricket Association Executive Committee approved the appointment of Gonsalves as coach of the senior team for this tournament during a meeting. It will not be a tough job for Gonsalves as most of the players have graduated to the senior side from the Under-19 and U-23 teams. He knows and understands almost all the players very well. In fact, there are a number of players who have made their debut for the senior team while still playing the U-19 and U-23 sides.

 

After the much decorated senior team coach former India player Chandrakant Pandit bid adieu to the team, the position was lying vacant. The coronavirus forced lockdown halted all sporting activities including cricket and VCA authorities did not pick a full time coach. Now, with very less time on hand, it was on expected lines that Gonsalves was handed over the reins of the senior side. During the meeting, the Executive Committee also reviewed the upcoming BCCI tournaments calendar starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament to be held from January 10, 2020 as announced by BCCI. The executive approved the appointment of Gonsalves as coach of the senior team for this tournament. The Executive Committee also approved the payment of prize money to the victorious U-23 team of Rs 5 lakh each to playing eleven of the final and the coach.

 

The other players have been given Rs 3 lakh each and the support staff Rs 2 lakh each. The felicitation function and the announcement of the prize money could not take place earlier because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation at that time. The Executive Committee has decided to hold the felicitation function as and when the situation permits.