Chandrakant Pandit will make a visit to the Wayanad Cricket Stadium some time on January 21 — as coach of reigning Ranji Trophy champion Vidarbha.
The last time he was at the ground in Krishnagiri was four years ago — as Kerala’s director of cricket.
One cold December morning in 2014, one remembers him speaking about a new Kerala pace bowler who would be making his First Class debut the following day against Goa.
He even took you along to the nets to show you how quick the youngster was.
Come a long way
That pacer, Basil Thampi, has come a long way since. So has Kerala, which will take on Vidarbha in the Ranji semifinal from January 24.
And Pandit is glad that the boys he worked with a couple of years have gone on to become giant-killers of the season.
Not surprised
“I am not surprised by Kerala’s success in the Ranji Trophy,” he told The Hindu over phone from Mumbai. “When I was in Kerala, I realised there was a lot of potential, but what was required was proper channelling and training, and that was what I tried to do.”
The former India wicketkeeper said he was confident that Thampi would make it big.
“Another player I noticed was left-arm spinner Sijomon Joseph, who has done very well as an all-rounder this season,” he said. “I had recommended him for the junior sides and am glad to notice the rapid progress he has made.”
Pandit, who has led Mumbai and Rajasthan to Ranji Trophy victories besides Vidarbha, said the quality infrastructure and the various academies across the State contributed significantly to Kerala’s growth.
Pat for Vidarbha
As for his current team, he said Vidarbha’s players were now thinking and playing like the champions they are.
“The boys have done really well this season,” he said. “Wasim Jaffer has been phenomenal with the bat and it is great to have Umesh Yadav joining the team.”
Kerala would, of course, be most wary of those two men as it gets ready to play its first ever semifinal.
