A former State Ranji cricketer with a vast coaching experience and with a Level A coaching certification from NCA, Bengaluru, Prakash Mayenkar has been appointed the Goa Ranji coach. In an exclusive interview with Basil Sylvester Pinto, the coach spoke at length on his plans for the forthcoming season. Excerpts:
Q: What does the appointment as the Goa Ranji coach mean to you?
A: It means a lot of things to me. I have been with the senior men’s side for the last four years and have worked as an assistant to coaches like Dodda Ganesh (2012-13), Nuwan Zoysa (2013-15) and Hrishikesh Kanitkar (2015-16). It was very nice working with them. I have learnt a lot of things from them. Through my meetings, outdoor fielding sessions with them, I have learnt a lot.
Q: Were you expecting the coaching assignment given that the likes of Sunil Joshi and Ajay Ratra were among names considered?
A: I was not sure that I would get it. I heard that these names were talked about for the role. But in the back of my mind, I knew I had a chance given my experience. Positive thoughts were there that a Goan could be given a chance this year.
Q: Fill us in on your earlier coaching experience.
A: My break with cricket coaching came seven years back with Goa Sports Academy. I was with the team for almost two years. Then the GCA appointed me as an assistant coach with the senior men’s team. While I became an assistant to Dodda Ganesh, I was also in charge of the U-23 and U-25 sides. About 5-6 years ago, we had a weak U-23 side for the one-dayers in South Zone. Despite that, out of five matches, we won against strong teams like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. We lost two matches and were about to qualify that time. That was my first real coaching assignment. Coaching the State U-25, from the five matches, we won two.
Q: What are your cricket qualifications?
A: In 2013-14, I did my Level A coaching through BCCI at NCA, Bengaluru. The passing marks were around 75 per cent, while I got around 85 and cleared the examination. There were First Class cricketers who appeared for the examination who had played above 80 Ranji matches. After the course which was of two weeks, we had a written exam. After a year, I got the chance to coach here. And then we had to return to the NCA for a Refresher course wherein we were put to test on how to conduct nets. At the Refresher Course, we were guided by WV Raman, Lalchand Rajput and Atul Gaekwad (fielding coach).
Q: Your thoughts on Goa playing at neutral venues this season.
A: It is a good sign. Around two months back, I had gone for the captains and coaches meeting organized by the BCCI Technical Committee in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Over there, almost 80 per cent of us felt a neutral venue would be a better option. An example of Saurashtra was cited who finished their matches within 2-3 days wherein their star spinner Ravindra Jadeja took a lot of wickets. The Association thought that playing at home suited top teams. If their strength was spinners, they would make turning tracks. If the team had a good bowling attack, they would put grass on the pitch. So Saurav Ganguly, who was heading the Technical Committee, thought that this year will go with the neutral venue idea on an experimental basis.
Q: Don’t you feel cricket fans in Goa will be deprived of seeing their favourite local stars in action?
A: That is there, but the BCCI policy of going away and playing on neutral venues on trial basis is good if it clicks. This is because in the Southeast, the rainy season is long. In Goa it rains till September, October. There were 2-3 other aspects. BCCI had decided on venues where there is no rain.
Q: How are the Goa Ranji probables shaping up?
A: We have had a very good camp of almost two months now. The first month we focused on agility, conditioning. If the weather was good, we had catching sessions, drills. Fitness was the key. In the second month, we moved indoors for batting and bowling. Techniques of the players were worked on and rectified. These two months were crucial.
Q: Among the newer players, who looks good to make it to the senior grade?
A: Ishan Gadekar, is a good U-19 player who can make it to the next level.
Q: What are your thoughts on the lads within the probables?
A: We have a good bunch. Swapnil Asnodkar, Sagun Kamat, Amogh Desai, Snehal Kauthankar are our main batsmen. Then we have Sumiran Amonkar who played well last year. But it is up to the selectors to decide. Among the bowlers that we have, it is heartening to have Harshad Gadekar back. He was out due to injury for the last two years. He is working hard and doing well in the nets. If he bowls well, nothing like that. We then have Saurabh Bandekar and Gauresh Gawas. Felix Alemao is a promising young fast bowler who did well last year in the T20s senior competition. Among spinners, there is Shadab Jakati, Amulya Pandrekar, Darshan Misal, Amit Yadav, Ganeshraj Narvekar. Sher Bahadur Yadav is also very good but for the last 10-15 days he is out injured. So there is healthy competition.
Q: What's the mood within the camp.
A: Our players are ready to perform and play good cricket. They are hungry to be in the playing XI and perform which is a very good sign.
