Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been himself a school cricketer before becoming every household name following his significant contribution for Team India, is looking forward to mentor the budding cricketers at cricket academy in Bengal.
The 35-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Dhoni was approached by former Bengal cricketer and his very good friend Subhomoy Das to coach the academy cricketers in Kolkata’s Barasat.
Subhomay has also revealed about Dhoni’s keen interest in helping the youngsters.
In the recent past, Dhoni has also discussed the project with batting greats and former teammates Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
According to a report, the academy will provide best of the facilities for young cricketers. The facilities would include eight bowling machines with two grounds and 12 turf wickets to practice on.
“It will be the first time [MS] Dhoni will actively work as batting coach and mentor in the academy. At the same time, he will also assist our wicket-keeping coach in the subject,” Subhomay said.
Subhomay Das, head of the ‘Adamas Cricket Academy’ expressed that he and Jharkhand-born Dhoni have shared the dressing room at Under-16 and Under-19 level.
“The moment I conceived the idea of forming the academy, I approached Dhoni first to promote the academy. Much to his delight, Dhoni immediately gave a go-ahead to this plan and vouched to extend his helping hand,” Subhomay was quoted as saying by Xtratime.in when he shared the idea of academy with hard-hitting batsman.
The Ex-cricketer Subhomay has also expressed to have former Ranji players in the academy to assist young crop of cricketers while providing them with the best of the options available.
“I have shared dressing room with Dhoni since my under-16 and U-19 days. It was Dhoni’s wish that I initiate for a residential cricket school in Bengal,” Subhomay, who is one of the directors of the academy, added.
Earlier, the academy was planned in Ranchi but eventually moved to Bengal where they got the desired piece of land (200 acres) for the cricket academy.
“Dhoni used to tell me that the project should be made in a way where the students can have school and make studies along with learning cricket. So, we have designed the project in a manner where we will have a school along with modern and scientific infrastructure,” he concluded.
However, the residential cricket academy in Bengal is expected to be in full swing in the early April without hampering the studies of young cricketers.