Sandhu to coach Madhya Pradesh

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian fast bowler, has been appointed coach of Madhya Pradesh. He succeeds Devashish Nilosey.

Jyotiraditya Scindia - the newly-elected president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), who is also a Member of Parliament - announced that Sandhu had been appointed for a one-year period, and would begin his duties from Monday.

"The Association will now focus on club cricket and divisional units will be strengthened," Scindia told reporters.

Sandhu coached Baroda in the Ranji Trophy and West Zone in the Duleep Trophy till the last Indian domestic season. His most productive period was with Mumbai - whom he coached from 1996 to 1998-99 - helping them become the Ranji Trophy Champions in 1996-97. He later served as bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore last year and was one of the candidates for the coach of Mumbai this season, ultimately losing out to Pravin Amre.

Madhya Pradesh begin their Ranji Trophy season against Railways at New Delhi on November 23.