In a development stirring mixed reactions, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed former Rajasthan Royals player Ankit Chavan as the head coach of its Under-14 team. Chavan, who was handed a life ban in 2013 for alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, has now re-entered the cricketing circuit in a coaching capacity. Chavan's suspension came alongside Ajit Chandila and S Sreesanth, with all three Rajasthan Royals players accused of corrupt practices during IPL 2013. Although a Delhi trial court acquitted them in 2015 due to insufficient evidence, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) upheld the life bans. It wasn't until 2021 that Chavan’s ban was formally reduced to seven years, making him eligible to participate in BCCI-affiliated events. Since then, Chavan has quietly resumed his cricketing activities. He has played local club cricket in Mumbai, notably for Karnataka Sports Club, and has completed his Level-1 coaching certification. Read also: Watch: Ishan Kishan channelizes inner Harbhajan Singh at County Championship Division 1 Who Is Ankit Chavan? A Look at His Journey from IPL to U-14 Coaching Ankit Chavan, a slow left-arm orthodox spinner from Mumbai, had once shown promise in domestic cricket. He featured in 18 first-class matches, 20 List A games, and appeared in 13 IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals before the 2013 scandal interrupted his career. A graduate of Mumbai’s cricketing ecosystem, Chavan’s trajectory was abruptly halted by disciplinary action that clouded his early achievements. Now, at 39, Chavan finds himself in a new role—coaching the city’s youngest crop of cricketers. Speaking to the Indian Express, Chavan said, “This is a second innings for me, and I am eagerly looking forward to it. Coaching has always been on my mind… At the Under-14 level, I want to focus on developing the players’ basic techniques.” The MCA, while announcing appointments for various age-level teams on Wednesday, also confirmed Omkar Salvi’s continuation as Ranji Trophy coach. Sandeep Patil was retained as chairman of selectors, reaffirming stability in senior roles.