Indian cricketers may not be a part of the T20 Global League, which begins in South Africa in November,but the league certainly has a few Indian connections.
After Robin Singh and Sridharan Sriram took charge as coaches, another former India cricketer — Rohan Gavaskar — has joined the Global T20 bandwagon, albeit in a different role. Rohan, son of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who has represented India in 11 ODIs, has been roped in as the media director of the Port Elizabeth franchise — Nelson Mandela Bay Stars.
Owned by Dubai-based businessman Ajay Sethi, the franchise will see the 41-year-old looking after the media-related activities of the team during the course of the tournament. “The position of a media director is something new for me as well, but then, I have been involved in the media sector for a few years now. It is exciting to be a part of the league in this capacity,” Rohan told Sportstar .
After hanging up his boots, Rohan has been a cricket commentator, and is well known for his match reading abilities. Even he is looking forward to be a part of the franchise that has some of the biggest names of international cricket in its ranks. “The team we have assembled is really exciting, and I am really looking forward to it,” the former cricketer added.
The Port Elizabeth franchise has roped in Mark Boucher as its coach, while Heath Streak will mentor the bowling department. Local star Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Pollock have been appointed ambassadors, while legends like Clive Lloyd, too, have been brought on board for the event. South African spinner Imran Tahir will lead the side.
While he is excited about the team’s on-field performance, Rohan is happy to be associated with the game in a different way. “Lot of ex-cricketers take up new roles after retirement. Sourav (Ganguly) got involved in CAB, (Anil) Kumble was associated with the KSCA, and there are many such examples. Everyone takes up new roles within the game” he said, adding: “For me too, this is one such role. It is a new opportunity.”
He will be travelling with the team in South Africa once the tournament begins, and, before that, Rohan is busy working on a few things. But then, he won’t be taking any advice from his father before taking up the assignment. “This is not something even he has done before, so he too wouldn’t be knowing much about how this part of the thing works. I would rather consult him in the areas which he knows best. For this, it is better to talk to someone who has handled such things,” Rohan said with a smile.
As he gears up for a new responsibility, one wonders if he plans to take up coaching as a career in future. “To be honest, coaching requires a different temperament and mind-set. So many ex-cricketers have got into coaching, so I think it requires a different mind-set.
"I would want to do my coaching levels first because I haven’t done any, before thinking about that,” he said, making it clear that he would be happy to help any young cricketer willing to develop his game.
In his career, Rohan was someone who maintained calm and quietness in whatever he did. And now, as he starts another journey, the Gavaskar scion has made it a point to keep it a low-key affair.
Perhaps, keeping things simple works well.
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