``The PCA secretariat has no knowledge about the offer to Sandhu to coach the Punjab Ranji team,'' Pandove said while speaking to The Indian Express this evening. He was reacting to a report in a section of the press that PCA chief Inderjit Singh Bindra had made the offer to Sandhu.

Sandhu, in a telephonic chat from his Mumbai residence, threw light on the matter: ``At no stage did I speak to I S Bindra about coaching Punjab. In fact, M P Pandove and Daljit Singh (ex-PCA chief coach) had asked me whether I was interested in coaching Punjab when I was invited by PCA for an off-season camp comprising the Punjab probables at SAS Nagar in mid-June.

``Since the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) had not arrived at a decision on renewing my contract as coach, I expressed my inability to arrive at an immediate decision. But once I learnt that the MCA had not renewed my two-year contract, I conveyed my availibility to Pandove and Daljit.''

Sandhu clarified that during his conversation with the PCA officials on Tuesday he had only confirmed his availibility, subject to clearance from his employers Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF).

``Ultimately, it is for the PCA to decide,'' he added.

``We are keeping our options open on the appointment of a new coach on contract basis. The issue will be discussed at the executive committee and general body meetings which are scheduled to be held on August 23,'' disclosed Pandove.

The PCA secretariat said ``All technical members and chairman of the technical committee would deliberate on the issue before finalising the name. The members might discuss Sandhu's name for the post.'' In fact, the technical committee would finalise a panel from which the coach would be appointed.

``The PCA has no particular person in mind for the coaching assignment. The main emphasis will be on the all-time availability of the coach for training and accompanying the team for all the matches in which Punjab figure,'' said Pandove.

Regarding the payment to the cricket coach, Pandove said ``it would be the same as was given to other coaches. A slight increase due to inflation is expected.'' Asked to specify the approximate amount the Punjab coach will get, the PCA secretary said ``It could touch Rs 75,000 per annum. Besides, the coach will be entitled to TA/DA on tour.''

It may be recalled that Balwinder Sandhu had impressed the PCA officials with his method of training during the off-season camp.

Meanwhile, the elections and formation of various committees are the main items on the agenda of the annual general body meeting on August 23.

Sandhu lauds Mankad's appointment: Though Sandhu may have his reasons to feel disappointed at his unceremonious ouster by the MCA, he lauded the appointment of Ashok Mankad as his successor.

Kaka (Mankad) is the right choice,'' he opined. ``Mumbai's performance graph should go up...I'm really happy that the team is in the right hands,'' he said.

Sandhu, who had called up Mankad this morning to convey his best wishes, said: ``I had gained immense knowledge of the game under his leadership and I used to discuss and seek his advice whenever we met.''

Sandhu cherishes most his association with Mankad, when the latter led the West Zone during the CAB Trophy and Duleep Trophy matches in 1980-81.

``Besides, Kaka, Anshuman Gaekwad was the vice-captain and Polly Umrigar, the manager. To me the trio formed a university in cricket. Whoever was part of the team during that month-long period benefitted enormously,'' he recalled.

While reflecting on his association with the Mumbai team, Sandhu took recourse in a quote from Osho Rajneesh to sum it all: ``If you have the sun at your door, you have to open the door to let the sunlight in.''

He drew comparison by saying, ``Similarly, even if you are a good coach, the player has to show his willingness to learn.''