Mumbai, Jan 22 (NationPress) Dinesh Lad, the accomplished coach and father of Siddhesh Lad, who famously coached former India captain Rohit Sharma during his early years, expressed his overwhelming pride after his son was appointed as the captain of Mumbai for the Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad, which commenced on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Siddhesh has taken on the leadership role in the absence of regular captain Shardul Thakur, a moment Dinesh described as a significant honor considering Mumbai's illustrious cricketing heritage.

Having coached both Rohit Sharma and Mumbai's current captain, Shardul Thakur, during their formative careers, Dinesh felt a deep sense of pride as his son took command of the team due to Thakur's leg injury.

“Leading Mumbai is an immense honor. It’s akin to leading India when you consider Mumbai’s cricketing legacy. The city has produced some of the world’s greatest cricketers, and the current squad boasts numerous prominent players. To lead a team filled with such talent is a tremendous responsibility. I’m truly happy for Siddhesh and proud that my son is at the helm,” Dinesh shared with IANS.

Dinesh praised his son’s knack for rising to the occasion, branding him as a reliable force in challenging times. “He’s known as the crisis man for Mumbai. Whenever the team finds itself in a tight spot, he’s there to steer them. If Mumbai is at 30/3 or 30/4, he’s the one who steps up. He was the Player of the Match in the previous game. He’s having an impressive season,” he noted.

Additionally, Dinesh expressed his joy in witnessing his students perform on prestigious platforms, including Siddhesh, Thakur, and Suved Parkar, all part of the current Mumbai lineup.

“Siddhesh is both my son and my student. Shardul also trained under me during his early years. Suved Parkar, who is in the playing XI alongside Siddhesh, is likewise one of my students. It’s rewarding to see my students excel on the big stage. I always emphasize that their growth is due to their hard work and talent; I merely guided them. I won’t claim credit for their success. They have proven their capabilities,” he remarked.

Reflecting on Siddhesh taking over the captaincy from Thakur, who is recuperating from a minor injury, Dinesh conveyed his pride and offered a straightforward message to his son.

“It’s gratifying to see Shardul lead first, and now Siddhesh takes the reins. I feel immense pride. My only guidance to Siddhesh is to play great cricket and honor the team,” he said.

Siddhesh heads into the Hyderabad match in excellent form. In Mumbai’s last Ranji Trophy game against Puducherry, the right-handed batsman was named Player of the Match after scoring an impressive 170 runs off 285 balls in the first innings. Mumbai achieved a massive victory by an innings and 222 runs.

With leadership duties and consistent performance under his belt, Siddhesh aims to seize this opportunity as he continues his pursuit of greater accolades.