Coach Chandrakant Pandit imposed INR 500 fine on Vidarbha bowlers for each no-ball they bowled at nets

For Vidarbha cricket, these are happy times. The team, which won Ranji Trophy for the first time last year, backed the feat by retaining the title this year again. And above it, the team has also successfully defended their titles by winning the Irani Cup against the Rest of India (RoI) on both occasions. The outfit’s super success has not just nullified claims that its victory last year was a fluke but also brought to public space some interesting anecdotes about its achievements.

The success that Vidarbha has scripted consistently was undoubtedly penned by its players on the field but there were also unsung heroes in the coaches and support staff off the ground who deserve the credit equally. One of the names that have often made the headlines after Vidarbha won four major titles in a row is coach Chandrakant Pandit.

Pandit, who is being referred to as “Pandit of all pundits” now after his team’s enviable success in the domestic circuit, took over the reins in the 2017-18 season and delivered success in the very first year. The former India wicket-keeper-batsman, who played five Tests and 36 ODIs between 1986-1992, is known to be tough taskmaster when it comes to coaching and that has certainly helped Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy quest.

It is said that Pandit, 57, imposes a fine of Rs 500 on the bowlers for every no-ball they produce in the practice sessions itself! That his discipline has permeated into the team and made its members perfect executives of the roles they are assigned to was understood from the words of Aditya Sarwate who played a key role in the final against Saurashtra this year.

Vidarbha has gained by following Pandit’s ways, says Sarwate

“We took every game as a do-or-die affair which has been our plus point. Chandu Sir’s approach has been effective as he never takes any team lightly,” Sarwate, the man of the match in the final, was quoted by agencies as saying, as per an IndiaTV report.

In the past, Mumbai, the team with most number of Ranji titles (41), has also won the title under Pandit’s guidance.

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