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An interesting mix
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It's great to be a Ranji cricketer these days. And players have every reason to thank their coaches, says STAN RAYAN
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT P. Balachandran (centre) with his wife Geeta and Kerala Cricket Association president S. K. Nair at the function to fete him PHOTO: H. VIBHU
"Wow, he's spotted a new talent," said a wise wag, pointing to cricket coach P. Balachandran, at the Nehru Stadium some three years ago. The coach appeared puzzled. A minute later, he saw through the joke and smiled. Just a few days before that, Balachandran, who was close to 50, was among the top wicket-takers in the Ernakulam A-Division league. And the district is supposed to be the State's best and the most active one too.
With his heavy hits, Balachandran used to massacre the bowling in his heyday while playing for the Tripunithura Cricket Club. And many youngsters took up cricket after watching his attacking batting. Even now, Balachandran troubles opposing teams whenever he plays for the Kochi Refineries, a side he coaches. "He's a big hitter and a big hit with the crowds. And many people in our tournament come mainly to watch him play," said S.Haridas, the former Kerala Cricket Assocation secretary who organises the annual M. S. Nair Trophy all-Kerala tourney in Angadipuram.
He's quite popular with his players too. The other day, cricketers, including many Ranji players, who have been moulded by Balachandran over the years, came up with a wonderful gesture. They arranged a function to thank and fete Balachandran who had completed two decades as a coach.
Rosy days for Ranji players
It's good to be a Ranji player these days, and great if you get into the premier national league, which the Elite Group is. With the BCCI pumping in a lot of money into domestic cricket, the sport has never had it so good. The national body is now even talking about handing out big cheques, in the range of Rs. 30 to 40 lakhs, to every Ranji player every season.
With the situation so rosy, cricketers have every reason to thank the men who spotted and groomed them over the years. "Most of the players who have represented the State have gone through his coaching at one time or the other," said former Ranji star S. Manoj, who along with Vipinlal and Sony Cheruvathur, were among the brains behind the function to fete Balachandran, a formerRanji and South Zone player and Kerala coach.
Balachandran, now a BCCI Talent Resource Development Officer, is an interesting mix, like his bowling. Even now, his Tripunithura team-mates aren't sure whether he is a spin bowler or a slow medium-pacer. He was even a wicketkeeper once. For his trainees, he is a gentleman coach, a good friend and a man who always wears a smile, whatever the match situation. This, sometimes, makes a few feel that he is a soft coach. That he isn't made for big-time cricket, which needs a tougher nut, who would fire his boys to be at their attacking best. Always.
But that's Bala for you. A good talent-spotter, an attacking cricketer and a smiling coach. And many still haven't figured out what's behind that smile!
STAN RAYAN
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