Mumbai: Coach Vidyadhar Paradkar, who gave Kohinoor to Indian cricket like Ajinkya Rahane and Zaheer Khan, is no more. He died in Mumbai, considered the nursery of cricket. He was ill for some time. Popularly known as Vidya Sir among cricketers, Paradkar was 76 years old. Ajinkya Rahane started taking training from him at the age of 16. Even after selection in Team India, he used to visit Vidya sir continuously. At an event in 2019, Rahane spoke about how Paradkar helped him reach where he is.
Sachin’s bat was given to Ajinkya
Indian Test vice-captain Rahane once shared a funny anecdote when Vidya sir gave him the bat that Sachin Tendulkar had gifted to the veteran coach. Regarding this incident, Rahane says, ‘I played for Mumbai at Under-15 and Under-17 level and scored runs, then one day he told me that that bat was gifted to him by Sachin Tendulkar. He always taught us to respect the game.
Saddened by the demise of his mentor, Rahane posted a tribute on social media, ‘Saddened to inform that my childhood coach Mr. Vidya Paradkar has left for heavenly abode. He was instrumental in shaping me as a person and a cricketer. Thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Calmness.’
English cricketer training
Paradkar was introduced to young England batsman Haseeb Hameed in 2011 when he came to India. After four years in 2015, Hameed returned to Paradkar’s academy. By then, he had represented England at under-19 level and made his first-class debut, but with a little guidance the youngster eventually made his Test debut for England. When the team toured India in 2016. Paradkar, one of Mumbai’s most respected coaches, and his wife Pramila used to live on the ground floor of the Pannalal Terrace building, next to the Gilbert Tank ground in south Mumbai, but in 2020, incessant rains almost destroyed their Grant Road home Due to which the couple had to take shelter in their relative’s house.
Sachin’s bat was given to Ajinkya
Indian Test vice-captain Rahane once shared a funny anecdote when Vidya sir gave him the bat that Sachin Tendulkar had gifted to the veteran coach. Regarding this incident, Rahane says, ‘I played for Mumbai at Under-15 and Under-17 level and scored runs, then one day he told me that that bat was gifted to him by Sachin Tendulkar. He always taught us to respect the game.
Rahane paid tribute
Saddened by the demise of his mentor, Rahane posted a tribute on social media, ‘Saddened to inform that my childhood coach Mr. Vidya Paradkar has left for heavenly abode. He was instrumental in shaping me as a person and a cricketer. Thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Calmness.’
English cricketer training
Paradkar was introduced to young England batsman Haseeb Hameed in 2011 when he came to India. After four years in 2015, Hameed returned to Paradkar’s academy. By then, he had represented England at under-19 level and made his first-class debut, but with a little guidance the youngster eventually made his Test debut for England. When the team toured India in 2016. Paradkar, one of Mumbai’s most respected coaches, and his wife Pramila used to live on the ground floor of the Pannalal Terrace building, next to the Gilbert Tank ground in south Mumbai, but in 2020, incessant rains almost destroyed their Grant Road home Due to which the couple had to take shelter in their relative’s house.