Siddhesh Lad, Punam Raut seek return to Mumbai

Siddhesh Lad, who migrated to the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) last year, has sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the board. His intention is to move back to Mumbai, provided the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) waives the mandatory cooling-off period.

Players wanting to play for Mumbai or returning to the team will have to mandatorily undergo one year cooling off period as per the MCA rules.

Sources within the MCA, GCA, and those close to the 31-year-old Lad, who has played 67 first-class matches, have confirmed to Cricbuzz that he has already obtained the NOC from Goa. "Where he will play will depend on the MCA's decision. The cooling-off clause is the deciding factor. Whether he will move to another state is still undecided," said a source close to the player.

Lad has played 52 games for Mumbai, scoring 3,591 runs at an average of 41.75, including eight centuries and 21 fifties. During his stint with Goa, he scored 189 runs in one season comprising six games of first-class cricket.

Punam's plea to MCA

Punam Raut, a veteran Indian woman cricketer, has requested the MCA to waive the one-year cooling-off clause. She represented Uttarakhand in the previous domestic season and has played 35 T20Is, 73 ODIs, and four Tests for India.

"The first team I ever represented since I was introduced to cricket by my parents was the Mumbai Women's team in 2006. I have always enjoyed playing here, and I cherish those moments. Since then, I have had tremendous success representing Team India for the last 12 years, and it was only possible because of the incredible support from all the senior authorities of the MCA," wrote the 33-year-old cricketer to the MCA.

"I agree that I had to play for Uttarakhand last year as I was not getting enough responses when I approached a few authorities to play for Team Mumbai. However, I am ready again to put my experience and skills to work for the MCA and give my 100% in every role I play for Team Mumbai. With this in mind, I urge you to consider my application and experience (sic)."