NEW DELHI: Dinesh Lad, the boyhood cricket coach of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, shared his heartfelt sentiments on the upcoming World Cup semi-final and the potential impact on his star pupil's legacy in an exclusive interview with AFP. Lad, a former railway worker and cricketer, has spent three decades shaping cricketing talents, with Rohit and India teammate Shardul Thakur among his protégés.
Lad, who operates from the Swami Vivekanand International School in Mumbai's Borivali suburb, has never charged a fee for his coaching services, stating, "I never took money from anybody (for cricket). I never took money from any parent."
As Rohit Sharma, 36, prepares to lead India in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, Lad expressed his joy, saying, "I'm the happiest person in the world. And if I saw the (World Cup) trophy in his hands, then I would be the richest person in the world."
Recalling the moment he discovered Rohit's talent, Lad reminisced about the 12-year-old's impressive off-spin during a summer camp in 1999. Despite financial constraints, Lad arranged a freeship (scholarship) for the young cricketer, allowing him to join the school team.
However, it wasn't until later that Lad recognized Rohit's prowess as a batsman. Promoting him to the opening position, Lad witnessed Rohit's natural talent, stating, "He was a natural batsman, I didn't have to teach him anything."
Reflecting on Rohit's determination to win, Lad shared an anecdote from a crucial match, saying, "We were chasing 240 to win and were 30/4. I sent him a message, 'you have to keep batting or we are out of the tournament.' So he sends a reply via the 12th man: 'Tell Sir, don't worry, we are going to win the match.' He's a very confident boy."
1/10:World Cup: Iyer, Rahul tons help India thrash Netherlands
AFP
2/10:India's dominant win
Centuries from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul lead India to a 160-run victory over the Netherlands.AFP
3/10:Perfect record for India
Team India completes the group stage with a perfect record of nine wins in nine games.PTI
4/10:Centuries from Iyer and Rahul
Shreyas Iyer (128*) and KL Rahul (102) both score centuries in the match against the Netherlands.PTI
5/10:India's semi-final opponent
India will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the World Cup on Wednesday.PTI
6/10:Second semi-final matchup
Australia will play against South Africa in the second semi-final of the World Cup on Thursday.Getty Images
7/10:Iyer's first World Cup century
Shreyas Iyer scored his first century in a World Cup match - 128 not out off 94 balls.AFP
8/10:Rahul's fastest Indian hundred
KL Rahul (102 off 64 balls) achieved the fastest century by an Indian in World Cup history.AFP
9/10:Kohli's half century
Virat Kohli (51) scored a half-century before being dismissed.ANI
10/10:Gill and Rohit's opening stand
Shubman Gill (51) and Rohit Sharma (61) provided a solid opening partnership of 100 runs.AFPLad, who started coaching in 1993, estimates that he has guided around 90 players into various levels of Mumbai youth cricket and the senior Ranji Trophy team. Among his proteges is his son Siddhesh and Shardul Thakur, who regards Lad as a "second parent."
Having received the Dronacharya Award, a national honour for sports coaching, Lad's reputation extends globally. A cherished video tribute from former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, whose son Thando was coached by Lad, highlights the coach's impact on players. Ntini expressed gratitude for Lad's role in improving Thando's batting and bowling, stating, "It's been an absolute honour to see the love you are giving my son. You are not doing it for the sake of being a coach; you are doing it for the love of the game."
As Rohit Sharma prepares to lead India in a pivotal World Cup clash, Lad's influence and the legacy of his coaching resonate not only in India but also in the global cricketing community.
(With inputs from AFP)
