Indian cricket has produced numerous world-class players who have dazzled the world with their skill, passion and resilience. Behind each success story lies the contribution of a mentor or coach who identified the talent early on and nurtured it with discipline, hard work and expert guidance. Let’s take a look at eight prominent Indian cricketers and their childhood coaches who played a crucial role in shaping their careers.
1. Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad:
Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most successful batsmen and the current captain of the Indian cricket team, owes much of his early success to Dinesh Lad.
Dinesh Lad, a school cricket coach in Mumbai, first noticed Rohit’s potential when the latter was just 11 years old. Rohit originally started as an off-spinner but Lad saw his batting prowess and convinced him to become a specialist batsman. Lad even secured a scholarship for Rohit at Swami Vivekananda International School to help him progress in the game. Rohit himself has credited Lad for not just teaching him cricket but also supporting him through his personal challenges.
2. Virat Kohli and Rajkumar Sharma:
Virat Kohli, often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, trained under Rajkumar Sharma, his childhood coach.
Virat Kohli joined Rajkumar’s academy at a young age and under his coach’s strict discipline and technical expertise, he evolved into a cricketing prodigy. Rajkumar played a paternal role in Virat’s life, especially after the sudden d*mise of his father when Virat was just 18. Kohli showed remarkable dedication by returning to play a match the very next day, a moment that symbolised the hard work and values instilled by his coach.
3. MS Dhoni and Keshav Banerjee
MS Dhoni, the iconic former captain of India, is synonymous with calmness, finishing games under pressure and extraordinary leadership.
Dhoni’s journey from Ranchi to leading India to multiple ICC trophies started under the watchful eyes of Keshav Banerjee, his school coach at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir. Banerjee recognised Dhoni’s athletic talent and encouraged him to focus on cricket, particularly wicket-keeping. Despite Dhoni initially showing more interest in football, Banerjee’s guidance paved the way for Dhoni’s legendary cricket career.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jwala Singh:
Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the most inspiring young cricketers in India, having overcome significant struggles to achieve success.
The left-handed batsman from Uttar Pradesh moved to Mumbai to pursue cricket at the age of 10, living in a tent and selling street food to survive. His life took a turn when Jwala Singh, a Mumbai-based coach, spotted his potential. Jwala Singh took Yashasvi Jaiswal under his wing, providing him not only with cricketing guidance but also financial and emotional support. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s success at the 2020 U-19 World Cup and later with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL is a testament to Jwala Singh’s mentorship.
5. Ishan Kishan and Uttam Mazumdar:
Ishan Kishan, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman from Jharkhand, has become a rising star in Indian cricket, especially known for his aggressive style in the shorter formats.
His childhood coach Uttam Mazumdar was instrumental in molding Ishan’s career. Under Mazumdar’s tutelage, Ishan honed his skills from a very young age, working on both his technique and mental toughness. Mazumdar helped Ishan make the transition from a young talent into a professional cricketer, setting him on a path that eventually led to his selection for the national team.
6. Shubman Gill and Lakhwinder Singh:
Shubman Gill has quickly established himself as one of India’s brightest young batting talents, known for his classical stroke play and composure.
His father Lakhwinder Singh played a vital role in his early development. Lakhwinder, who had dreams of playing cricket himself, built a pitch on their farm in Punjab so Shubman could practice daily. His father’s unwavering commitment, combined with the coaching expertise of local coaches, laid the foundation for Shubman’s rapid rise in international cricket.
7. Rishabh Pant and Tarak Sinha:
Rishabh Pant, the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman known for his fearless batting, honed his skills under the mentorship of Tarak Sinha, a legendary coach in Delhi cricket circles.
Tarak Sinha, who has coached several international cricketers, recognised Pant’s raw talent when he arrived from Uttarakhand to train in Delhi. Sinha worked rigorously on Pant’s technique, especially refining his wicket-keeping skills, and encouraged him to play his natural attacking game. Pant’s success in Test cricket, particularly his match-winning innings in Australia in 2021, is a tribute to Sinha’s guidance.
8. Prithvi Shaw and Prashant Shetty:
Prithvi Shaw, a prodigious talent known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, first trained under Prashant Shetty. Shetty, who coached Prithvi Shaw at the Rizvi Springfield School in Mumbai, played a significant role in developing his technique and temperament.
Recognising Prithvi Shaw’s talent early, Shetty ensured that the youngster was exposed to high-level competition from a young age, which helped him in becoming the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut. Shaw’s aggressive style and fearless approach reflect the nurturing environment Shetty created for him.
The success of these cricketers is often attributed to their dedication, talent and hard work but behind the scenes, their childhood coaches have played a monumental role in guiding them.
