NEW DELHI: Chandrakant Pandit has a reputation of being a no-nonsense, strict disciplinarian but the doyen of domestic coaches knows that he has to change his methods when the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins come calling during the next season of IPL.
The 60-year-old former India stumper is also ready to mould himself within permissible limits when he dons the hat of Kolkata Knight Riders' head coach in the 16th edition of the league.
"You don't have to use the same method everywhere. One has to be a little flexible while trying to understand the psyche of each player, which is very important," Pandit told PTI during an interview post his appointment as the first Indian head coach of KKR.
"I always do that (study players) and accordingly we can strike a reasonable understanding and move forward," Pandit hammered home the point that he doesn't use a "One Size Fits All' approach to coaching.
He has no hesitation in admitting that some of the top players like Russell and Cummins have a lot of experience and he will never use his Ranji Trophy methodologies at the IPL level.
"These are experienced players. They are playing all these years at highest level and of course same method can't be used at every level. You have to understand and study their methods and ensure that all the cricketing demands are fulfilled more than anything else," he added.
Reputation of demanding full freedom and authority
At the domestic level, state associations approaching Pandit have always known that if you want his services, you have to give him full freedom to operate and run the show alone.
But will it be possible at the IPL level, where the demands are different and people who are monitoring your performance are more business-oriented in their approach?
"I don't know what has been made of my image. But I understand that in a job of a head coach, things need to be taken forward in such a way that they are result-oriented.
"I don't know how people look at my methods but with an opportunity given to me, I will try and fulfil that to the best of my abilities."
And when it comes to instant result in the IPL universe, which is so distant from the Ranji Trophy, the 'Khadoos' Mumbaikar said that it is the same for all the coaches.
"I just look at the game and believe that the requirement of a particular format needs to be fulfilled at that particular time. This is the process and it's not only with me but everyone going through.
"Every format in cricket has a different set of demands. When you play first class, you have enough time to try out things.
"The process that one needs to work out in IPL is ability to take instant decisions. It's fast-paced but at the end of the day, you are playing a form of cricket."
It's an advantage to have worked with Shreyas, Abhishek
Abhishek Nayar, the former Mumbai stalwart is one of the key members of the KKR think-tank and skipper Shreyas Iyer is also from Mumbai.
Incidentally, Pandit at different times in his career has coached both of them and that is an advantage for him to quickly get adjusted to the new environment.
"It is always an advantage to have players in the set-up with whom you have spent time and of course the rapport which we have maintained over the years.
"KKR has Umesh Yadav, who has played in my coaching at Vidarbha and Venkatesh Iyer who is an important member of Madhya Pradesh side. I know all these boys personally," added the man with six Ranji Trophy titles as a coach.
"And then you have Abhishek (Nayar) and Omkar Salvi (support staff) who have played under my coaching. It is a terrific advantage to understand the whole thing from them."
But his biggest advantage is being an encyclopedia of domestic cricket and someone with a sharp eye for talent having coached teams for nearly two decades.
"Being an Indian coach and having spent enough time in domestic cricket, I know most players, whether they have played under my coaching or against teams coached by me. I am aware of everyone's skills and that's my greatest advantage," he said.
Refusing offer more than a decade back
Pandit had revealed that he had once met ?KR's owner Shah Rukh Khan during the initial years of the IPL but things didn't work out back then.
This time when KKR CEO Venky Mysore offered the head coach's job, he didn't have to think twice.
"Yes, I got the offer after the Ranji Trophy final. It didn't work out last time. It's not that people must have misunderstood that and more than anything else, it's an honour to be part of that franchise."
So, any special message from SRK?
"Nothing from Mr Khan but I have got a lot of good positive vibes from the KKR family. The support staff and players share a healthy relationship and that makes me a little excited as it creates a very co-operative atmosphere in the team," he signed off.
Dasun Shanaka leads 20-man Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Friday named a 20-man squad led by Dasun Shanaka for the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament starting later this month in the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, but shifted to the UAE due to political turmoil and the economic crisis in the cricket-crazy island nation.
Sri Lanka has witnessed months of food and fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation in the wake of its worst financial crisis on record.
Sri Lanka play their opening match against Afghanistan in Dubai on August 27. The final takes place on September 11, also in Dubai.
Sri Lanka squad:
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dhanushaka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Banuka Rajapaksha, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanidu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Jeffery Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwanindu Fernando and Kasun Rajitha.
2nd ODI: Tim Southee, Trent Boult demolish West Indies top order as New Zealand level series
BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): Tim Southee and Trent Boult combined to demolish the West Indies top-order batting as New Zealand scored a series-levelling victory in the second one-day international of a three-match series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Friday.
After Finn Allen's 96 anchored the Black Caps to 212 off 48.2 overs batting first on another challenging pitch, Southee and Bolt claimed three wickets apiece as the home side limped to 63 for seven off 22.4 overs when a second heavy shower resulted in a prolonged delay to the day/night fixture.
Set a revised target of 212 off 41 overs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern scoring method, Yannic Cariah's 52 in his debut ODI innings and a swashbuckling 49 off 31 balls by Alzarri Joseph gave the tourists a fright in a frenetic 85-run ninth-wicket partnership.
However, Southee was summoned by stand-in captain Tom Latham and he responded immediately by bowling Joseph while Allen completed an excellent boundary catch to end Cariah's effort as the West Indies were eventually dismissed for 161 off 35.3 overs to lose by 50 runs and set the stage for the series decider on Sunday.
Southee's final figures were four for 19 while Boult's six-over spell at the start of the innings earned him three for 18.
Southee finishes with 4-22 & Boult 3-18 to back up the batsmen's earlier graft and help level the series! #WIvNZ
Earlier, opening batsman Allen's effort off 117 balls with seven fours and three sixes was one of just four double-figure innings as the Black Caps, beaten in the first match by five wickets at the same venue two days earlier, were again found wanting against the home side's combination of spin and pace.
"I've always known I've got the grit in me but I never showed it. Showing now that I can do it is good," said Allen on receiving the 'Man of the Match' award.
"The wickets haven't been batting-friendly but I have enjoyed the challenge."
In just his second ODI, off-spinner Kevin Sinclair claimed four for 41, including the last three wickets, terminating a last-wicket stand of 31 between Mitchell Santner and Boult with a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Boult.
Scared bat-makers refuse to revive J&K unit
MEERUT: Citing security concerns, experts from UP’s Meerut have turned down “lucrative offers” to go to Kashmir and train locals to revive a cricket bat manufacturing unit in the volatile Anantnag region, officials said on Friday. As a result, the unit which was set up at a cost of nearly Rs 5 crore currently lies idle.
Over a month ago, members of the Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC), a central government-backed organisation, and officials of Process-cum-Product Development Centre (PPDC) in Meerut, a unit of Union ministry of MSME, were contacted by senior authorities of skills development in Jammu and Kashmir. They requested SGEPC to establish a bat manufacturing training centre in the Valley and urged PPDC officials to send at least six trainers from UP.
A common facility centre at Sethar in Anantnag district was then set up at a cost of Rs 4.61 crore, including Rs 2.46 crore spent on plant and machinery installed by PPDC. SGEPC member Sumnesh Agarwal said, “Meerut is known for manufacturing world class cricket bats. Hence, J&K authorities are trying to rope in artisans and experts from here. But, none of them are willing to go to Kashmir due to safety issues.”
A PPDC official, requesting anonymity, said, “This is despite the fact that a trainer is promised Rs 20,000 per month apart from food, lodging and other amenities. Security concerns can’t be overlooked though. Anantnag has recently witnessed a series of targeted violence against outsiders.”
Incidentally, there are seven clusters in Anantnag district where a common facility centre was set up by MSME.
“Kashmir is known for its good quality willow, a wood considered to be most suitable for cricket bats, while Meerut, known for manufacturing world class cricket bats, is home to a large number of craftsmen. Also, movement of Kashmir willow to the outside world is banned in its raw wood form and can be transported only in the form of semi-finished products. So, the bat industry in Meerut largely depends on willow imported from England at a very high cost,” the official added.
Jhulan Goswami gets farewell game at Lord’s
Veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami has been given a farewell game by the Indian cricket board. A top BCCI official said that the third One-Day International against England at Lord’s ‘will be her last’.
HI Mess: FIH delegation in India, to hold meeting with CoA on Wednesday
NEW DELHI: A delegation from International Hockey Federation (FIH) is in the capital to discuss the way forward and avert a possible suspension of Hockey India, currently placed under a Committee of Administrators.
A two-member delegation, led by newly-appointed acting president Seif Ahmed, arrived here on Monday for an emergency meeting to assess progress made with regards to the adoption of a new Constitution at HI.
India is scheduled to host the 2023 Men's World Cup.
The FIH delegation is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Delhi High Court-appointed three-member CoA on Wednesday.
The delegation is also scheduled to meet senior sports ministry officials, besides top officials of the Odisha government, the hosts for next year's World Cup.
The FIH had last month sought a "detailed timeline" from the CoA on adoption of an amended Constitution and holding of fresh elections at HI.
If the HI fails to adopt a Sports Code-compliant Constitution at the earliest, the country runs the risk of losing the hosting rights of the World Cup, scheduled to be held from January 13 to 29.
According to a source, the required amendments in the HI Constitution has already been made and elections to the executive board of the sports body are expected to be held on October 1.
"The CoA members are scheduled to meet FIH delegation on Wednesday. The amendments to the HI Constitution, as per Delhi High Court orders, have already been done and it will be put before the FIH on Wednesday," the source told PTI.
"As per the Delhi High Court orders, some amendments, like removing illegal posts, were needed to be made in HI Constitution to bring it in line with the National Sports Code, which has been done. Now the FIH will have to ensure whether it is in line with their Constitution.
"The CoA is in no mood to hang in there, and plans to hold the elections of HI executive board by October 1," he added.
The world body delegation met with senior sports ministry officials on Tuesday and is set to visit next year's World Cup host cities -- Bhubaneswar and Rourkela -- on Thursday and Friday to oversee preparations.
It will also hold discussions with senior Odisha government officials, including Vineel Krishna, Secretary Sports and Youth Services and Special Secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Besides the FIH acting president, the world body delegation includes CEO Thierry Weil.
The FIH CEO had last month said they were hopeful of hosting the World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to return after two-year hiatus in November
NEW DELHI: The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, an annual invitational international men's hockey tournament, is set to make a comeback after a two-year break in November this year.
The prestigious tournament didn't take place in the last two years due to COVID-19. The last time it was held in 2019, South Korea had emerged champions by beating India in the summit clash.
"We are all set to host the Premier Azlan Shah Cup in November this year. We have invited six teams including India and Australia and we hope our invitation will be accepted," an Asian Hockey Federation official told PTI.
Men's world champion Tamirat Tola withdraws from London Marathon
LONDON: Ethiopia's men's world champion Tamirat Tola said on Friday he had pulled out of October's London Marathon due to muscle fatigue.
Tola won gold in Eugene, Oregon, last month in a championship record time of two hours, five minutes and 36 seconds.
"It is with great regret that I am unable to run this year’s TCS London Marathon," said the 31-year-old.
Neeraj Chopra figures in list of Diamond League Meeting competitors
NEW DELHI: Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who pulled out of the recent Commonwealth Games due to a minor injury, figured in the list of competitors for the Lausanne Diamond League Meeting on August 26.
But he is yet to take a call on his participation in the prestigious competition.
The 24-year-old had missed the Birmingham CWG due to a "minor" groin strain he suffered while winning a historic silver in the World Championships in Eugene, USA last month. He was advised one-month rest.
Honda Racing India rider Rajiv Sethu finishes fifth, scores 11 points
TOKYO: Rajiv Sethu of IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team finished fifth in the AP 250 event in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2022 at Sportsland Sugo circuit on Saturday.
It was the best ever finish by an Indian rider in AP250 class in the ARRC.
The race saw five riders crashing out in the first lap. Starting the wet 12-lap race 1 from 14th on the grid, Sethu quickly moved to sixth place after lap 1.