Rohit’s T20 batting an example for kids: More

Kiran More watched Saurabh Wakaskar (Baroda batsman representing Railways) slaughter the Delhi attack in Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 action at the Alembic ground. Unmukt Chand, standing behind the sticks for Delhi in that game, walked up to the ex-India gloveman next day, got an embrace from the senior and serious advice. “Play normal shots in T20. Runs will come when the ball clears the boundary, how the batsman did it is not mentioned,” said the Baroda stalwart to the former India U-19 captain and Delhi opener.

Unmukt was dismissed early in three consecutive Group C matches so far, denying expert eyes like More the chance to analyse the youngster’s form. Two matches were at Alembic ground, a paradise for batting as Delhi chased 210 target set by Railways with ease. The Delhi opener/keeper got a close look at Wakaskar’s strokeplay, slamming 11 sixes and seven boundaries in 118 from 55 balls. The Railways left-hander connected almost every delivery, leaving another youngster waiting for snicks with little to do, but watch the ball sail into the skies.

More launched into a crash course in wicket-keeping at Baroda. “The ball does not do much at Alembic, when a good batsmen is at the crease, wicket-keepers have little to do. Motibaug and Reliance wickets will test your abilities. Batsmen get beaten due to pace and bounce,” he said. The Delhi opener/keeper kept up the banter. “I kept wickets in Delhi also and they tested me.” Milind Kumar and Nitish Rana are emerging the run-getters for Delhi, patient and precise in their shot-making, starring in three wins out of three group matches so far.

Former chairman of national senior selectors, More founded a cricket academy in Baroda, grooming U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-19 age group players. For kids at his academy wanting to become successful in T20, More tries to make them aware of cricket basics. “Rohit Sharma is a good example for those wanting to learn the Twenty20 game. He scores with normal cricketing shots, you will see him play the cover drive and square cut. Youngsters should understand that knowing the basics is critical, improvising becomes easier later. Youngsters watching cricket on television should realise it.”

He added: “Rohit scored a T20 century with cricketing shots, besides runs in ODIs and four-dayers. Scoring runs is about the ball clearing the ropes. How you do it does not reflect on the scoresheet, whether those runs came from the reverse sweep does not get mentioned.” Does he feel kids should be kept away from T20? “It is a different world altogether. Kids want to add new techniques to their game, you cannot stop them thinking. Nothing wrong in learning. A junior player wanting to bowl spin should be able to turn the ball on any surface, then worry about coming over the wicket or round the wicket.”

The Kiran More Sports Foundation (KMSF) competes in tournaments conducted by the BCA. India ODI probable and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya emerged from there and is among the key players for Baroda in Mushtaq Ali T-20. Others from KMSF to make a mark in first-class or national cricket are Hardik Parmar (former Baroda Ranji and Western Railway new ball bowler), medium-pacers Rishi Arothe and Atit Sheth who played India U-19 and last season made first-class debuts.

Mumbai Indians all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is the biggest name to emerge. “We work with juniors till they reach a level, then BCA takes over and exceptionally talented get the breakthroughs. BCA has a good system in place, excellent playing facilities like wickets and outfields.” India ODI probable for a tour to Australia, Hardik was escorted by the kid’s father as a five-year-old to the former India wicket-keeper. The youngster proved to be a fast learner, taking the IPL route to fame and repaying his coach’s faith with match-winning feats.

Baroda cricket basics appear to be in place, going by success in Ranji Trophy and Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Ranji winners five times, tow-time T20 champions). “BCA does not comprise when it comes to cricket development. From fitness to injuries, from lively wickets to coaching, we try to create best facilities for the players. Talent needs opportunities, players will emerge.”

More’s current focus is on developing young keepers. Behind the sticks for India (110 catches/20 stumpings in 49 Tests, 63/27 in 94 ODIs), his words carry the weight of achievement.

He finds a similarity between coaching wicket-keepers and fast bowlers. “I have worked on wicket-keepers at camps held by BCA and Mumbai Cricket Association. At a young age wicket-keepers trained properly can avoid injuries later. Finger and facial injuries are common. It is like developing fast bowlers, right steps at the start will reduce the chances of bodies breaking down later.” Baroda has a cricket identity of its own, quality of facilities unmatched. T20 group matches, organised by BCCI, are held at three venues, Ranji semi-final tie will follow (Baroda chosen as a neutral venue for knockouts).

Gujarat has multiple teams within the state (Baroda, Saurashtra and Gujarat are three separate sides in first-class cricket). Gujarat is currently the number one state side in domestic limited-overs, had won Mushtaq Ali T20 once. Saurashtra produces talents of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja’s calibre. BCCI’s 205 Best All-Rounder award in Domestic Limited-Overs, named after the legendary Lala Amarnath, went to Deepak Hooda, born in Haryana and cricket education in Baroda.

Kiran More feels cricket needs more teams, more players. “The game is played by limited number of countries. Cricket should be taken to new places for growth as a sport. England has a system of counties. Our focus and energy should be devoted to promoting the game in new centres. Just like Baroda, Saurashtra, Gujarat creates more opportunities for players, cricket should be taken into the interiors. Talents is there, waiting to be spotted.”