KKR coach Chandrakant Pandit accused of pushing Ashutosh Sharma into depression by PBKS batsman
Published - 06 Apr 2024, 11:22 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Ashutosh Sharma recalled the most challenging phase of his cricketing journey. Ashutosh Sharma recounted a time when he faced denial of access to the cricket ground by his former state team coach, Chandrakant Pandit, despite his strong performance.
Chandrakant Pandit, who is leading the Kolkata Knight Riders' coaching staff, has previously encountered controversies. Former KKR player David Weise accused him of being stringent with experienced overseas players, labeling him a militant coach and linking KKR's failure to his role.
Ashutosh Sharma made headlines after his impactful knock against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Sharma scored 31 runs off 17 balls, including three fours and a six. He formed a partnership with Shashank Singh, which contributed significantly to Punjab's comeback.
Chandrakant Pandit Had Strong Likes And Dislikes - Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh, who formerly played for Madhya Pradesh, recounted his challenging experience under Chandrakant Pandit, then the MP head coach. He recalled a time when he wasn't allowed access to the cricket ground and instead spent his days in the gym and hotel room.
"There was a time when I wasn't even allowed to get a feel of the cricket ground," Ashutosh recalled.
"I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression and no one told me what my fault was. A new coach had joined Madhya Pradesh and he had strong likes and dislikes and despite scoring 90 odd in 45 balls in a trial match, I was dropped from the team," he said without naming the coach.
Sharma debuted for Madhya Pradesh in T20 cricket in 2018, and his last appearance for the state was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2019. Following Pandit's appointment as MP's head coach, Ashutosh was sidelined and overlooked for selection for three consecutive seasons.
The 25-year-old batter's redemption journey was propelled by a job offer from Railways. Last year, the young batter broke Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest T20 fifty, achieving this feat in just 11 balls against Arunachal Pradesh during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
I Speak To Him Before Every Game - Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh emphasized the significant role of his childhood coach, Amay Khurasiya, in his life. He highlighted the valuable input he receives from Shikhar Dhawan and Sanjay Bangar, emphasizing the importance of playing proper shots rather than resorting to aggressive slogging.
"Amay sir knows me since childhood. I got a lot of tips on mental health from him. I speak to him before every game and even before this game, I spoke with him. Also inputs from Shikhar Paaji (Dhawan), and Sanjay sir on playing proper shots instead of trying to slog helped."
Sanjay Bangar, renowned as both the batting coach of the Punjab Kings and a respected figure in Railway cricket, noticed Ashutosh's exceptional performance. His keen observation and acknowledgment of Ashutosh's talent resulted in his selection for the Punjab Kings squad, representing a pivotal moment in his career.
Also read: Watch- Ashutosh Sharma hits a ball for 4, later asks the umpire to declare it a wide
