Published: Aug 12, 2015, 01:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 12, 2015, 01:06 PM (IST)
Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, who is currently guiding young Mumbai glovemen at Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra Kurla Complex, was invited by Chandrakant Pandit, who is the Mumbai Ranji Trophy coach. Pandit played only five Tests and 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and his career was cut short by More, who by that time had made himself a permanent fixture in the India 1980s team. “I called Kiran to have a look at an U-14 wicketkeeper, who reminded me of him in his younger days. That’s how we decided to have a camp for wicketkeepers,” Pandit was quoted as saying by mid-day.
More, who is from Baroda, is conducting the training camp the youngsters for free. “I owe a lot to Mumbai cricket. I scored a century here for Tatas and got immediate recognition. Chandu and I share a great relationship. Although we were competitors in our playing days, we enjoyed a great rapport. We were room partners on several occasions. Our friendship was as famous as our rivalry,” said More.
Pandit and More look similar and would confuse people. “My name was once announced to receive a memento during a felicitation function for the Indian team and Kiran went on the stage to collect it. And I did the same when his name was called. We were so similar in our appearances that people could hardly differentiate between us,” Pandit said.
Despite himself being a wicketkeeper and having Vinayak Samant (Under-23 coach) in the coaching team, Pandit believes More’s long international career will help the youngsters. “Kiran has been one of the most consistent wicketkeepers for India. To sustain success at the international level for so long is no joke,” said Pandit.
More said, “Wicketkeeping is the most neglected area today. You have specialists for everything except for a wicketkeeper. A ‘keeper is the most important part of the team. A bowler will bowl good balls and fielders will do their job well, but you need a good wicketkeeper to complete the rest. Nowadays, wicketkeepers are not valued as they used to be in our times.”
