Sanjay has two much on his hands

Even as the national selectors sat down to select the squad for the first two Tests against Australia, one man went about patiently observing and correcting the basics of youngsters at the Bharat Nagar Cricket Academy.

Even as the national selectors sat down to select the squad for the first two Tests against Australia, one man went about patiently observing and correcting the basics of youngsters at the Bharat Nagar Cricket Academy. Sanjay Bharadwaj may not be a name familiar to the cricket-obsessed nation, but for two members of the squad that was finally announced on Wednesday, the man is responsible for their journey to the national ranks.

Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir and leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who were named in the 14-member squad, both learned their trade under Bharadwaj in the city. With this, Bharadwaj has joined an elite group of coaches 8212; alongside the likes of Tarak Sinha and Ramakant Achrekar 8212; who have had atleast two of their wards in the national squad at the same time.

8220;I had achieved this distinction before as well, way back in 2003, when they were both given their first breaks on the Bangladesh tour. It has taken another five years for them to regroup, both of them had to go through different struggles all these years but I am happy they have come through,8221; Bharadwaj said.

While Gambhir has made the opener8217;s slot his own in all forms of the game 8212; ODIs, Tests and even Twenty20 8212; Mishra has got his break now, and there is talk that he is being looked upon, again, as a possible replacement for Anil Kumble.

8220;Gambhir has established himself in the last one year, and I kept telling Mishra that his time too will come very soon. I told him that he will play for India again, and we had a friendly bet that he will play for India by October. By sheer coincidence, he8217;s made it on the first day itself. He owes me a treat for this,8221; he said.

Bharadwaj, however, admits that perhaps their respective approach towards playing the game also made a difference in their playing for the country. 8220;Gambhir was very focused on playing for India right from the onset but Mishra was just keen on playing Delhi state so that he can search for a job and can settle down. I told him not to waste his talent like that and that he would for the country, but he didn8217;t take me seriously. He always said laughed it off and said I was encouraging him only because I was his coach,8221; he remembered.

But the man who is being credited for grooming youngsters in the Capital diligently is clear that his focus remains on his academy here. Bharadwaj, a qualified Level III coach, said he is not keen on pursuing more lucrative offers from other states.

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8220;I have a dozen offers with me but I won8217;t trade my academy for anything. This is my nursery where I groom talent, and I prefer keeping a low-profile. My job is to recognise and hone talent, and I will keep doing that,8221; he signed off.