Express Academy opens in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 21: Corporates have for long believed in building on stars. This time around, they have decided to build stars. That's...

AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 21: Corporates have for long believed in building on stars. This time around, they have decided to build stars. That8217;s why the Prudential ICICI-Indian Express Cricket Academy was launched by former Test all-rounder Roger Binny at Hotel Holiday today.

Organised and managed by former Mumbai Ranji captain Shishir Hattangadi, this preparatory school aims at helping Gujarat8217;s budding cricketers graduate to top-level competition.

The programme includes sharpening batting and bowling skills, an overall fitness regime, workshops by former and current Test stars on mental strength, psychology sessions, tournament play, exchange programes with other academies and international tours.

The course has a fiscally flexible admission policy. As Hattangadi puts it: 8220;It ranges from Rs 50 a month to Rs 10,000 a year. And if a child is truly gifted but economically weak, he can get top-level training without paying anything.8221;

Hattangadi will also be helped by an array of local coaches includingformer Ranji Trophy captain Mukund Parmar, whose local flavour is part of the main course which will have a rich dose of stars every month.

The kids at the academy had the first star sighting when Binny visited the academy. The all-rounder, who runs an academy at Bangalore and is also the coach of the India A, national under-19 teams, cut the red ribbon. Stressing the importance of academies he said, 8220;Karnataka has four academies and look the number of players who have made it to the National squad.8221;

Ajay Srinivas of Prudential ICICI said, 8220;The name Prudential has always brought happy memories to cricket fans and this is another effort to support the game at the grassroots.8221;

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Kanak Ghose, general manager The Indian Express, too stressed on the reason for the company8217;s association with the academy. 8220;The Indian Express has a tradition of taking up causes and supporting them. Our association with the academy is a way of doing something for cricket in the state,8221; he said.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More