I want to bring Hyderabad’s old glory back: Milap Mewada

Hyderabad: Milap Mewada says he loves challenges and he is excited that he has got the opportunity to coach the Hyderabad team this season. “Hyderabad has a rich legacy and we have many legends from this place. I will be making an earnest effort to bring back the old glory,” said the 47-year-old coach from Gurugram, Haryana.

Now in Gurugram, Mewada’s first big challenge will be the T20 Mushtaq Ali tournament that starts from November 4 (Thursday). Team Hyderabad is placed in Group E with Saurashtra, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Hyderabad take on Saurashtra in the first match.

“It is a big challenge but I love challenges. Even when I was coaching other teams I always had the desire to coach the Hyderabad team. Hyderabad has always produced champion players. It needs the right direction. There are some young exciting players who look to break into the big league. The team is a blend of youth and experience. I’m fortunate to get this opportunity to coach this lovely team. We now have to translate the talent into performance. This team is capable of winning big matches. I’m confident of a good show in this tournament,” said Mewada.

This being his fourth assignment after being the coach of Baroda, Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh teams, Mewada said attitude and approach matters a lot to succeed in big tournaments . “The players should take pride while playing for the State. Any good performance in these types of tournaments will be noticed. They have to understand the importance of playing for a state team and performing for the team is important. More ever, I always believe in giving confidence to the players.”

On Hyderabad’s first match against Saurashtra, Mewada said they will be playing for a win. “All the teams are good and we have to focus for every match. In T20 anything can happen. One or two overs can cost a match. It is all about the intensity that is involved in the game.”

According to the new coach, the sheer presence of Hanuma Vihari is a big boost to the Hyderabad team. “He is cool and calm. He always shares his experiences with the team. He is a team guy who plays for the team. He has a good mindset and that is important to Hyderabad. The young players can learn a lot from Vihari. Young players should look at senior players like Vihari, CV Milind, Tanmay Agarwal and learn from them.”

Mewada said the young left-handed opener Tilak Varma is fantastic. “What I have seen of him in nets, he will play big cricket soon. He has got the hunger to score and excel. He is a serious thinker of the game and very focused.”

The coach felt Tanmay Agarwal is eager to perform as a captain and as a player. “He has been leading the team for three years. Captaincy is not new to him. He knows the intricacies of leadership. We have a good understanding and he has taken this job seriously.”

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, according to Mewada, is the bowling department captain. “With his experience, he can be a great asset to the team. He jells with the team very well.”

Mewada signed off by saying: “It will be my earnest desire to see Hyderabad win matches on a consistent basis. I would like to see more Hyderabad players being noticed at the National level. It is all about performances and that is the challenge. I would like the players to win the challenges.”

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