Pandit reserves special praise for MP skipper Aditya Shrivastava

Chandrakant Pandit’s record as a coach is outstanding in the Ranji Trophy. Pandit has the knack of winning titles but at the same time, also holds the title of being a ‘strict task-master’. The experienced coach reserves special praise for Madhya Pradesh’s skipper Aditya Shrivastava. 

At the press-conference that followed the match, Pandit talked about his special bond with the MP skipper, giving an insight into the state’s plans before the playoffs. 

"To reach the top, one has to make sacrifices. When Aditya was getting married last year, he came to me and asked what should be a good time and I told him that I can only release him for festivities for a period of two days," Pandit said, giving another glimpse of the no-nonsense hard taskmaster that he has been for years.

The MP skipper responded, revealing how he didn’t even get time-off, with an eye on winning the title for the state. 

"I got married last year but I haven't even taken a 10-day vacation with my wife," the smiling young captain said.

"I told them for success, you need to put in long hours of hard work. It is like a mission," the coach quipped.

The 'special' bond between Pandit and Shrivastava

"First thing I will tell sir is to laugh out loud. He is so serious about his work and he is ready to talk cricket whenever you want," the champion team's skipper said about his 'Guru'. He is the proverbial man with the magic wand in domestic cricket but Pandit himself admits that there is a method to his madness. And yes, remaining honest and humble.

"I have never tried to get on top and I always have had respect for the game. My coaching principles are based on what I have learnt from my three gurus my first coach late Ramakant Achrekar, my Mafatlal (office team) captain late Ashok Mankad and the great Polly Umrigar," Pandit said.

Despite being a devotee of red-ball cricket, Pandit as a coach has learnt the art of working around the mindset of young players and getting them hooked to what success in Ranji Trophy means, and the legacy it can create.

"There is no point trying to take them away from white ball cricket, but at the same time, make them understand that Ranji Trophy is the biggest domestic tournament," he said.

"Even when Venkatesh (Iyer), Avesh (Khan), Rajat (Patidar) and (Kumar) Kartikeya were playing IPL, they were in touch with me and regularly talking about preparations for Ranji Trophy," Pandit informed.

He mentioned about the unstinted support he has received from Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) which gave him a 'carte blanche' to operate.

The selectors toed the Pandit line and when the Holkar Stadium, which isn't an MPCA property, was not available for training, the association paid money to book it so that players didn't suffer.

The MPCA president announced a cash reward of Rs 2 crore for the team and there was another round of cheers.