Former Andhra medium pacer Doddapaneni Kalyan Krishna is a mightily pleased man for he got an opportunity to serve city cricket in a fruitful manner.
Andhra Cricket Association, in an executive committee meeting held recently made Kalyan Krishna the head coach of Krishna District Cricket Association (KDCA) with special emphasis to improve the standards of senior and under-19 segments.
“Along with other coaches I will streamline the activities and instil confidence in players. My efforts will be to produce more number of players for Andhra teams,” said Kalyan, who called it a day from first class cricket early this year.
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Incidentally, Kalyan made his debut in 2002-2003 against Mumbai and in a career spanning 12 years he took 154 wickets in the Ranji Trophy with five five-wicket hauls in 51 outings.
He said he will be organising clinics both for batting and bowling and attend nets to help rookies play the game properly. “The ongoing Power League will conclude in the first week of December. I will interact with all the clubs to chalk out a plan to popularise the game among youngsters”.
KDCA organises three leagues — Power League, ‘B’ Division and inter-school — every year. Many avid cricket followers felt that more tournaments were required to keep the players busy and help them get the playing experience.
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“The standard of cricket in Vijayawada and in Krishna District has reached new low. We need to rope players like Kalyan to rejuvenate the game,” felt a veteran cricketer. With the new grounds coming up at Moolapadu at city’s outskirts, the association can use serves Kalyan more effectively now.
ACA director M.S.K. Prasad said that efforts were on to revive some of the defunct tournaments in the districts. “Tournaments like Ranga Rao memorial tourney at Rajahmundry, Baba memorial at Eluru, Nessys and Welcome Trophies in Vijayawada and K.N.V Prasad Memorial Tournament at Guntur were popular until 90s. Many players, who played these tournaments regularly, went on to become Ranji players. We will like to put these tourneys back on the track,” Mr. Prasad said.