Mumbai cricketer Kaustubh Pawar assertive of making it count; launches his academy KPCA

Mumbai cricketer Kaustubh Pawar assertive of making it count; launches his academy KPCA: Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener Kaustubh Pawar was forced to sit out of the domestic season 2014-15 due a shoulder injury; he underwent a shoulder surgery to make sure he is fit for the upcoming season. The right hand batsman is currently undergoing rehabilitation and recovering. Meanwhile the love and passion for the game has made him think beyond being a player and a beneficiary of the already developed system. That is where the thought of starting his own academy stuck Kaustubh. The Kaustubh Pawar Cricket Academy (KPCA) will identify, educated and grow talents from Thane (a suburb of Mumbai) that have rarely got the opportunities they deserve.

KPCA will operate at a ground in Thane, and as he says not only cricket but other physical and mental aspects of all the students will be taken care of and developed. Along with the coaches Kaustubh Pawar himself will use his cricketing experience and knowledge to help the kids. He has been a regular feature in the Mumbai team in days’ cricket and has played 27 FC games, scored 1449 runs which include 4 centuries, while other major achievement for the 24 years old was his inclusion in the India U-23 team for the Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore back in 2013.

Since then form and then fitness eluded him and though he is focused, sure and sharp will have to go out there and performing in the next season to get back in the recons. Cricket Tracker’s Ankit Mishra caught up with Kaustubh Pawar to get his first hand views and idea behind starting the KPCA.

Cricket Tracker (CT): What is your primary objective behind starting your own academy?

Kaustubh Pawar (KP): I am starting my academy here as I wanted players from Thane, adjoining areas and nearby Suburbs to represent Mumbai and move further in their careers.  There is lot of talent in this zone but are yet to get the right channel and is the only reason it has been lacking behind in producing quality cricketers.

(CT): Will you like to have a role yourself, to teach the kids about the sport?

(KP): Yes, I would like to not only keep in touch with the coaches but also check with the students, and track their progress gradually. As and when I feel will share my knowledge, experience and inputs with them.

(CT): On what aspects will you like to focus more?

(KP): At KPCA we will plan each and every session, with a different objective and short term goals. Lot of importance will be laid on the technique, but at the same time skills will be identified and enhanced; along with providing the students training for physical and mental fitness.

(CT): Did the journeys you made from Thane to Mumbai and down everyday prop you of starting the KPCA?

(KP): In Thane we have a number of academies training youngsters but, all they do is make them play cricket as they fail to understand other important aspects of the body and how to enhance their fitness, to sustain through the load of playing the game for a longer duration. I have seen many youngsters only play cricket and are unaware about strength training and that is where they miss an important link. In our academy we will teach them not only cricket but, many physical activities including strength, power training, and pre-habilitation, along with cricket.

(CT): Tell us about the curriculum, the structure of the academy, how it plans to identify young talent?

(KP): The plan is to keep the curriculum flexible and focus not only on cricket but also for overall mental and physical development of the wards. We will instruct them in yoga, meditation, special lectures from psychiatrists will be organized at regular intervals and some mental preparation will go along before and after every practice sessions and on match days as well.

(CT): How well have you recovered from the shoulder injury? Will KPCA work on the fitness of its students, educate them about the does and don’t to keep their asset the body always fit and maintained?

(KP): As far as my injury is concerned it is curing well. I am able to rotate my arm now and at this stage I am confident of being 100% fit to play the coming season.

As Kaustubh signs off with it, a special mention is that the academy has provisions for concessions and other assistance to those hailing from the weaker section of the society but is skilled, passionate and willing to dedicate themselves to the game. For those seeking information and for queries you can contact Manoj Yadav -+919867326563 & Rahul Kadam – +918451819389.