NAGPUR: It’s not easy to refuse lucrative assignments in this competitive world. Former India wicketkeeper batsman
Chandrakant Pandit, however, is very different. For him, commitment is everything.
Pandit has turned down the India women offer to honour his Vidarbha commitment. Sources in BCCI confirmed Pandit was offered the post of India women coach sometime back.
A member of the Committee of Administrator was keen to rope in Pandit for the national job. After India finished runners-up in the last World Cup in England, the BCCI wanted somebody who could take the Indian women team to the next level. India finished runners-up in the last World Cup in England but they are far from a settled world class side. The BCCI wants somebody who could take India women team to the next level.
“Yes, he was offered the job. India women are in a developing stage. Pandit would have been the ideal candidate. He is known for his no nonsense approach. He has in-depth knowledge of the game and he knows how to convert an average team into a winning unit. Whichever team he has coached, Pandit has given results. The work he has done with Vidarbha is amazing,” a BCCI source told TOI on Thursday.
In fact, around six seven associations, including his home team Mumbai, offered Pandit head coach’s role to Pandit after Vidarbha’s twin victories in Ranji and Irani Trophy. “He is one of the best coaches in the country and has experience of nearly two and half decades. No wonder, he keeps getting these offers. It’s great to see his commitment for Vidarbha. It’s because of his disciplined approach and astute cricketing acumen, Vidarbha clinched the twin trophies. His next aim is to make this team consistent,” sources in
Vidarbha Cricket Association
said.
VCA sources said Pandit has just concluded a unique preparatory camp. “Earlier, we would start with fitness and then work on skills but with his suggestion, we reversed the trend this year,” a source said.
The whole idea was to utilize the time properly. Earlier, MN Dorairajan Trophy would start during June end. This time, it started earlier so that players can have some match practice. “He worked one on one with Vidarbha probables and the matches provided perfect picture whether small changes in players’ technique were working or not. During the monsoon, most of the matches would get washed. So, it was decided to work on fitness during this period,” he said.
When Pandit started the camp, the message for the player was to forget what happened last season. The 56-year-old wants players not to bask in the past glory and to focus on the next season. “Players are already given areas they need to work. He wants everyone to be battle-ready when the next season starts. He doesn’t want Vidarbha to be just one season wonders. Only when Vidarbha start performing consistently, players would be in the national reckoning. Once three-four players come on selectors’ radar, it would automatically motivate others. The standard has been set in the last three four years, now it’s all about maintaining it,” a VCA source added.
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