Rohit Sharma's uncle initially stopped him to join our school: Indian cricketer Dinesh Lad

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Renowned cricket coach of the country Dinesh Lad was in the city to attend a three-day cricket workshop held at the Icon Indoor Academy recently. At the side line of the clinic Dinesh, who was childhood mentor of Team India's captain Rohit Sharma, took a few questions from The Sentinel. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Captain of India Rohit Sharma was once a regular trainee of you….

Lad: Yes. He is a very good boy and obedient student. I can still remember when I first saw him. It was an age level inter school cricket competition where Rohit was playing for his school and bowled beautifully in that match against our school-Swami Vivekanand International School. That time our school was new and I used to search for kids. The way Rohit bowled in the match was very impressive and I thought that we should take this kid to our school. Although Rohit was interested to join our school, it was not so smooth. Rohit's uncle, whom he was living with, could not afford the school fee and even told us that he would not be able to give permission to Rohit to take admission in the school. I requested our school director to waive off his fees and he agreed. Rohit joined our school. If the director that day did not agree it could be a different story for Rohit.

(TS): You picked Rohit as a bowler but he established himself as a batsman!

Lad: That's also an interesting story. One day I arrived a little late on the net. When I was entering the ground I saw one batsman was nicely knocking in the net. Initially I could not identify the batsman as he was wearing a helmet. But once he came out I was surprised to see that it was Rohit. We didn't have any idea that he could bat so well. So I talked to him and in the next game I put him to bat in number five position. That's the beginning. He started to bat so well that a few days later he even got promotion to open the innings and the journey started.

(TS): You also coached another international cricketer Shardul Thakur…

Lad: Like Rohit I also found good talent in him. I discovered Shardul also during a match against our school team. I was impressed by his performance and decided to take him to our school team. I told Shardul to tell his parents to contact me. Initially his father declined, saying Shardul had class X board examination and also the journey from Palghar to Mumbai was more than two-and-a-half hours, which was very difficult. I talked to my wife and asked her if we could keep a boy at our home so that he can play here in Mumbai. My wife agreed and Shardul's journey started.

(TS): You have seen some of the good young cricketers of Assam in the workshop. Your comment.

Lad: I found some cricketers here who have good future in the game. They just needed proper guidance. I am also impressed with the infrastructure in Guwahati which is quite good for young cricketers.

(TS): Your tips to the young cricketers.

Lad: Works to improve on basics. Good basics are essential for future growth in the game.

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