NAGPUR: After four successful stints with the under-16 team, former Vidarbha skipper Ranjit Paradkar has been given a bigger responsibility this year as coach of the Vidarbha U-23 team.
With the BCCI being optimistic to hold matches for all age groups this year despite the pandemic, VCA had started its camps a couple of weeks ago. Paradkar was first introduced as one of the coaches to hold the camp for Ranji Trophy probables. “The news of him being the new under-23 coach was a surprise for many but is in the right direction,” said a former VCA player.
“Paradkar is the best man to coach a senior team like under-23. When the position became vacant, we all knew he would be the best bet to handle the youngsters, who are a step away from entering the senior team. His experience is vast and his way of coaching is really professional. The best part is he has coached most of the current under-23 players in his previous assignment,” said a VCA official.
Paradkar, who played his last first-class match in 2013, has never won a trophy as a player but made an impactful debut as a full-time coach in 2016-17. Under his leadership, Vidarbha had scripted history by winning the under-16 Vijay Merchant trophy. From thereon, there has been no looking back.
After playing first-class cricket for 13 years, it was a difficult task to coach under-16 boys. However, Paradkar put in a careful approach and nurtured players as a friendly coach. “His style of handling the team is unique and that makes him effective,” the official said.
Paradkar would be replacing Trevor Gonsalves who was incharge of the under-23 team for 2-3 seasons. Gonsalves was also made senior team’s coach last year but had to quit due to Covid crisis on a personal front.
Pritam Gandhe had replaced Gonsalves for a short plan and even travelled with the team for Vijay Hazare one-dayers and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 last season. The former off-spinner has been retained by the VCA for this season. Another successful coach, Usman Ghani, will continue to coach under-19 boys.
With the BCCI being optimistic to hold matches for all age groups this year despite the pandemic, VCA had started its camps a couple of weeks ago. Paradkar was first introduced as one of the coaches to hold the camp for Ranji Trophy probables. “The news of him being the new under-23 coach was a surprise for many but is in the right direction,” said a former VCA player.
“Paradkar is the best man to coach a senior team like under-23. When the position became vacant, we all knew he would be the best bet to handle the youngsters, who are a step away from entering the senior team. His experience is vast and his way of coaching is really professional. The best part is he has coached most of the current under-23 players in his previous assignment,” said a VCA official.
Paradkar, who played his last first-class match in 2013, has never won a trophy as a player but made an impactful debut as a full-time coach in 2016-17. Under his leadership, Vidarbha had scripted history by winning the under-16 Vijay Merchant trophy. From thereon, there has been no looking back.
After playing first-class cricket for 13 years, it was a difficult task to coach under-16 boys. However, Paradkar put in a careful approach and nurtured players as a friendly coach. “His style of handling the team is unique and that makes him effective,” the official said.
Paradkar would be replacing Trevor Gonsalves who was incharge of the under-23 team for 2-3 seasons. Gonsalves was also made senior team’s coach last year but had to quit due to Covid crisis on a personal front.
Pritam Gandhe had replaced Gonsalves for a short plan and even travelled with the team for Vijay Hazare one-dayers and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 last season. The former off-spinner has been retained by the VCA for this season. Another successful coach, Usman Ghani, will continue to coach under-19 boys.