Chandrakant Pandit resigns as Maharashtra coach

Chandrakant Pandit (left) with Sairaj Bahutule during a practice session © Cricinfo Ltd.

Chandrakant Pandit, the former India wicketkeeper, has resigned as Maharashtra coach after three years in charge. Pandit sent a mail to Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajay Shirke conveying his decision.

"His [Pandit's] contract was to expire at the end of the season anyway," Shirke told the Times of India. "By resigning, he has effectively told us his unavailability for renewal of contract."

However, Pandit has agreed to be in charge till the conclusion of the current season, but it remains unclear whether he will do so for the Ranji Trophy one-dayers.

"This assignment warrants him to be away from home 10 months a year and that seems to be a major reason behind the decision," Shirke said. Interestingly, Pandit's request that he be allowed to perform his duties as India A coach after he went on their tours to Kenya and Zimbabwe earlier this year, had be rejected by the MCA as they wanted him to focus on the state team instead.

Pandit had a successful stint as coach, presiding over the team's shock away win against Mumbai in the 2005-06 season as well as their Ramakant Desai Trophy triumph in 2006-07. Under him, Maharastra Under-19 had clinched the Cooch Behar Trophy for the first time last season.

Maharashtra, who lost their way after having led the Group A table of the Ranji Trophy Super League for a while still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the Ranji Trophy semi-finals.