HE describes Scotland as his second home and posing in a kilt as one of his most memorable moments but Lalchand (Lal) Rajput will have no time for sentiment at The Grange, Edinburgh, this week.
Rajput, a former India and Scotland international, has a new adopted country after being named head coach of Afghanistan.
He takes the reins for the first time in an ODI double header tomorrow (Mon) and Wednesday as the Scots – remarkably and almost ridiculously – return to competitive action for the first time since the World T20 in March.
Rajput is naturally keen to make a winning start but there was a time when he went in to bat for Scotland as one of the most prolific professionals ever to grace the domestic scene on these shores.
The Mumbai-born batsman spent 10 seasons with Perthshire and another five with Strathmore and his scoring exploits were recognised by the national selectors when he was drafted into the team as an overseas player.
In the event, Rajput made just two appearances – against Kent in the NatWest Bank Trophy and the touring Pakistanis – in 1987 and his returns with bat and ball were modest.
However, the 54 year-old, who had already represented his homeland, recalls his days in Scotland with genuine pride and affection.
He said: “I think of Scotland as my second home and playing for them was a big highlight of my career.
“It meant a lot to me to be asked to play for another country and I remember the games against Kent and Pakistan well. The results didn’t go our way but it was still a great experience for me.
“The build-up to my debut was particularly special because they made me wear a kilt for a photograph – that was one of my best moments.”
Such light-hearted reminiscences of a different era will be put aside as Rajput sends his new charges into action bidding to cement the 10th place they currently hold on the ICC’s official ODI rankings table.
A former coach of Mumbai Indians in the ultra-competitive IPL and of India U19s, Rajput commands wide respect and only narrowly lost out on the senior India role to Anil Kumble.
He aims to make his mark in his new post without changing Afghanistan’s familiar attacking approach to the game.
He said: “When I didn’t get the India job, [I saw] Afghanistan is growing as a team and as a cricketing nation and it’s an exciting time for me to be taking over.
“They play positive cricket and, remember, they almost chased 200 against South Africa in the recent T20 World Cup and beat West Indies, the eventual winners.
“My aim is to take them to the next level but it will be tough against Scotland – especially here in Edinburgh.
“I know from experience that the weather plays a big part and we will have to adjust accordingly.”
At the end of a week when the game’s governing body held its annual conference in Edinburgh and debated the future direction of international cricket, Rajput is in little doubt what is required for both Afghanistan and Scotland.
Echoing the sentiments so forcibly made by Scotland captain Preston Mommsen during the World T20, Rajput said: “All the Associate countries need to play more matches – against each other and against the top nations.
“A few games a year doesn’t help improve standards – it’s the same for Afghanistan and Scotland.
“I’m in favour of a two-tier system with promotion and relegation.
“That would give everyone something to play for and make it more interesting.”
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