Patil relieved as coach of Mumbai Champs

Sandeep Patil, the former India batsman, has been relieved of his duties as coach of ICL team Mumbai Champs. Patil's request to be given a break for the league's second season was accepted by the ICL's executive board.

"In the interest of the team, I had requested the board to relieve me from the current season duties, which they have accepted," Patil said. Nathan Astle remains as captain of Mumbai, which has struggled so far in the ICL.

Originally led by Brian Lara, who played the inaugural Twenty20 tournament, Mumbai didn't reach the semi-finals in the three tournaments they played in the first season.

A new season hasn't seen much change in their fortunes. They finished fifth out of seven teams in the ICL 20-20 Domestic Championship, and haven't managed a win in five games so far in the ICL 20-20 Indian Championship. They are languishing at the bottom of the table, and have no chance of making it to the semi-finals.

Patil has previously coached the India and India A teams, and was in charge of the Kenyan team that made it to the semi-final of the 2003 World Cup. He has also coached Oman.