Lalchand Sitaram Rajput, born on 18 August 1961 in Mumbai, India, is a former cricketer and a highly regarded coach who had an illustrious career in the sport. Although his international playing career was relatively short-lived, Rajput made a significant impact with his solid batting technique during his brief stint as an opening batsman for the Indian cricket team.
Rajput’s talent as a batsman was evident from an early age, and he consistently performed well in domestic cricket. It was his impressive performances on the domestic circuit that caught the attention of selectors, resulting in his selection for the tour of Sri Lanka in 1985. Stepping onto the international stage, Rajput made his Test debut against Sri Lanka, where he showcased his excellent batting skills by scoring 32 and 61 runs in the two innings. He notably contributed to a crucial partnership of 76 runs for the third wicket alongside Dilip Vengsarkar in the second innings.
However, Rajput’s promising start was short-lived as he struggled to perform consistently in the next Test, managing scores of only 0 and 12. This dip in form led to his unfortunate exclusion from the team and marked the end of his international playing career. Despite his relatively brief time in the limelight, Rajput’s contributions to Indian cricket did not go unnoticed.
After retiring from playing, Rajput remained closely associated with the game, taking up various roles in cricket administration and coaching. He served as the joint honorary secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association, displaying his commitment to elevating the sport in his home city. Additionally, Rajput ventured into coaching, which eventually led to several successful stints.
One of his notable roles as a coach was with the India Under-19 team, where he demonstrated his ability to nurture young talent and guide them towards success. However, his most significant coaching achievement came in 2007 when he was appointed as the cricket manager for the Indian team during their victorious campaign at the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. Rajput’s strategic acumen and astute management skills helped India achieve this historic milestone.
Following his successful stint as cricket manager, Rajput assumed the coaching position for the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Unfortunately, he faced controversy early in the tournament when he was fined 50% of his match fee for his involvement in an altercation between his team’s captain, Harbhajan Singh, and Sreesanth. Despite this setback, Rajput continued to contribute significantly to the development of the Mumbai Indians franchise.
Lalchand Sitaram Rajput’s impact on Indian cricket extends beyond his playing and coaching careers. His commitment to the sport, coupled with exceptional leadership abilities, has cemented his reputation as a revered figure amongst cricket enthusiasts. Today, Rajput’s profound knowledge and keen insights continue to shape the next generation of cricketers as he remains actively involved in coaching and mentoring aspiring players.
