Mumbai (Maharastra) [India] June 6 (ANI): The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed former India cricketer and veteran coach Lalchand Rajput as the League Advisor for the upcoming T20 Mumbai League 2025 and also announced a dedicated team of scouts who will work along with him to strengthen talent identification and development, according to a release from MCA.

Season 3 of the T20 Mumbai League is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium and DY Patil Stadium from June 4 to 12.

The 63-year-old seasoned cricket professional, who served as the manager of the Indian team during their T20I World Cup-winning campaign in 2007, is currently the head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team. In the past, he has also coached Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

Rajput brings a wealth of experience in both domestic and international cricket, having held various leadership and coaching roles over the years. As League Advisor, he will lead a dedicated team of scouts comprising Sanjay Patil, Ghulam Parkar, Ravi Thakkar, and Musavir Khote -- all highly respected figures in Mumbai's cricketing fraternity.

'We are thrilled to welcome Lalchand Rajput as the League Advisor for the T20 Mumbai League 2025. His vast experience and dedication to the development of the game make him the perfect choice to guide the league and nurture emerging talent. We are confident that under his leadership, the league will continue to grow as a premier platform for showcasing Mumbai's cricketing excellence,' said MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap.

The T20 Mumbai League, one of India's leading franchise-based domestic T20 tournaments, makes its much-anticipated return after six years with Season 3. The upcoming edition promises high-octane action, featuring top international stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Prithvi Shaw alongside some of Mumbai's most exciting young talents, including Musheer Khan, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Atharva Ankolekar.

Season 3 of the T20 Mumbai League will feature eight teams competing for the coveted title: North Mumbai Panthers (Horizon Sports India Private Limited), ARCS Andheri (Arcs Sports & Entertainment Private Limited), Triumph Knights Mumbai North East (Transcon Triumph Knights Private Limited), Bandra Blasters (Pk Sports Ventures Private Limited), Eagle Thane Strikers (Eagle Infra India Ltd.), Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs (World Star Premier League LLP), SoBo Mumbai Falcons (Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd.) and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals (Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment). (ANI)