Parting of ways with Martin Crowe was mutual: Royal Challengers

Bangalore, Oct 23 (UNI) Liquor baron Vijay Mallya owned Bangalore Royal Challengers (RC), one of the eight teams in the Indian Premier League, today said that parting of ways with its former team coach and New Zealand icon Martin Crowe was mutual.

In a statement here Brijesh Patel, Chief Executive Officer of the city based team, said Mr Crowe had left on his own and there was no pressure on him from the franchise.

"He was brought as Chief Cricket Officer to assist the CEO and the Captain and at the end of the first season, a joint review was conducted to assess what is required to achieve the goals that the franchise had set for itself.

"Based on this and the inputs by key senior management including Mr Crowe, it was mutually felt that the franchise needed a structural change in the management," he said.

After a dissapoiting performance RC had finished seventh out of eight teams in the inaugural IPL.

Brijesh said Crowe had played a valuable role in helping the franchise draw out a long term road map and is supportive of the changes in the management structure.

"All of us were disappointed with the first year's results but much has been learnt along the way," he said.

In a similar incident the former CEO of RC and noted TV commentator Charu Sharma had quit the team half way through the league. The company had given the same reason and said Charu had left on his own.

Mallya had also criticised the choosing of the team in the auctioning of players, both national and international, in which RC Captain Rahul Dravid was also part of the process.

Brijesh said, Crowe's replacement and former South African team coach Ray Jennings would take over as the Head Coach of RC.

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