5 local Indian coaches who have produced great talent over the years
A cricketer takes wickets, makes truckloads of runs and wins games for his country, and in the midst of flash bulbs that chase these success stories, some men fade away in the background. These men were there for the players when others weren’t. These men helped the players correct their batting stance, and suggested improvements in the wrist position. These men carried the players pillion on their motorcycles, across the city, from one play ground to another. Just so that the players could achieve what they couldn’t.We take a look at five stalwarts of the Indian coaching setup, who have managed to produce great talent, year after year.
#1 Tarak Sinha
No name, no ground, no support from the local cricketing body – that’s what Tarak Sinha had on his side when he started off with his endeavour, the Sonnet Cricket Academy in 1969. Inspired by Sinha’s own inability to make it to the Delhi team, Sonnet was the breeding ground for all those who had it in them, but couldn’t afford the exposure that Delhi’s top academies provided.
Popularly known as Ustaadji, Sinha is one of India’s unsung domestic coaches. He’s been in the scene for over 40 years now and has travelled the length and breadth of the country, discovering talent at every nook and corner. His result-oriented approach, and averseness towards being over reliant on technology makes him stand out from the crowd.
For decades, Sinha has mentored youngsters from humble backgrounds, often providing them coaching for free. Some of his pupils like current India Under-19 Vice Captain Rishabh Pant, claim that Sinha looks after his wards in a manner that their parents would.
Sinha holds the distinction of producing eleven cricketers who went on to play for the country and many others who plied their trade in first-class cricket. He has also had fairytale runs with struggling teams such as the Indian women’s cricket team in 2002, and the Ranji teams of Rajasthan (2010) and Jharkhand (2012).
Not having received the Dronacharya Award remains one of the aberrations of Tarak Sinha’s long career, but the spirits are still high, and his primary motivation to enter coaching, intact – that of wanting to help those who don’t have money or access, but come with a bagful of talent.
Famous wards: Raman Lamba, Manoj Prabhakar, Aakash Chopra, Anjum Chopra, Ashish Nehra, and Shikhar Dhawan