Mumbai Indians rope in Parthiv Patel as talent scout

A day after announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket, Parthiv Patel has joined the IPL defending champions Mumbai Indians as a talent scout. The 35-year old had been part of the franchise as a player before, winning IPL titles in 2015 and 2017.

"I had enjoyed my cricket playing for Mumbai Indians, those momentous three years with the champion sides remain etched in my memory," Patel was quoted as saying by the Mumbai Indians website. "It's time now to turn a new chapter in my life. I am excited, confident, and thankful to the Mumbai Indians management for the opportunity presented to me."

Akash Ambani, the franchise owner, welcomed Patel back into the set-up in a new role.

"I am delighted to have Parthiv joining us," he said. "We had the opportunity to pick his cricketing brain during his playing days at Mumbai Indians. I am very confident of his contribution to further enhance our scouting system with the depth of cricketing knowledge he possesses. Parthiv understands our ideology, the DNA of Mumbai Indians, and what we are trying to create at MI."

Patel joins VVS Laxman, Mohammed Kaif, Anil Kumble, Wasim Jaffer and Abhishek Nayar in a select group of Indians who are actively involved with IPL franchises.

Patel brings with him a wealth of domestic knowledge and experience, having led Gujarat to both Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy titles. In all, he finished with 11,240 first-class runs at an average of 43.49 with 27 hundreds, including a best of 206 against Odisha in the 2008-09 season, as well as 486 catches and 77 stumpings.