Coach Corner : Chandrashekhar Karmalkar
Dronacharya Award winner and a cricket coach of top class, Chandrashekhar Karmalkar has already made a strong mark in cricket coaching fraternity. The 44-year old resident of Thane started his cricket academy way back in 2003 by the name Kwality Sports Club. Karmalkar imparts cricket training at Dadoji Konddev stadium, Thane, five days a week (Monday – Friday) from 7am to 9am. The practice sessions are on for all 12 months round the year, with off-season training being undertaken in June – September.
Following tournaments championship won by Kwality Sports Club : –
1. Under 15 Bhiwandi Taluka Cricket Tournament on 2005
2. Survey Cricket Club T-15 Tournament Championship continuously 4 year : – 2010, 2012, 2012, 2013
3. Thane District Cricket Association organized T-10 Bhau Cricket Tournament organized by Thane Cricket Association in the year 2014
A right hand opening batsman and a right arm off spin bowler, Chandrashekhar started playing cricket right from his school days when he represented New English School, Thane, in inter-school cricket tournaments. His solid performances at the school level, was rewarded with a berth in Mumbai U-15 team which was captained by the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar in 1988. After completing his schooling, the all-rounder went on to play at inter-collegiate level for R.Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar. For a decade (1991 – 2001), Karmalkar played Kanga league matches for different clubs. Not only with bat and ball, but also behind the stumps he made some useful contributions. He represented various Thane clubs like Golden Star, Royal Cricket Club, Thane Friends, Morning Cricket Club and Sporting Club. At the district level, Karmalkar played multiple tournaments like Shatkar Trophy, Sport Star Trophy and RCF Trophy, to name a few.
For over a decade, Chandrashekhar Karmalkar has been associated with coaching. He has produced many a great players that have gone on to play for Mumbai at different age groups. Vaibhav Mali played for Mumbai U-19 and was in the probables of U-23. He is currently playing for Air India. Jaydeep Pardeshi is another player who made it big. Jaydeep played for Mumbai at U-14, U-16, U-19 and U-23 levels. He also played for Mumbai University and got selected for NCA and ZCA camp. Arun Yadav played for Rest of India and Haryana U-19. Currently he is playing A division matches. Donning Mumbai’s lion crest on his chest, Hemant Buchade excelled in cricket, as he made it to the U-23 team, thanks to Chandrashekhar Karmalkar.
Apart from the physically abled players, Karmalkar has trained the special talents like Mayuresh Sansare and Atul Khukale. Sansare represented the Indian team in 2015 for the five-nation physically challenged cricket tournament, whereas both these players were selected to play for Mumbai in the West Zone Tournament for physically challenged.
Chandrashekhar has been associated with Piramal Enterprises since 2007 and has helped the corporate team win many a competitions At the hands of Anand Piramal, Executive Director of Piramal Realty, Chandrashekhar Karmalkar was bestowed with Dronacharya award in 2012. Following are the competition won by Piramal Team like –
1. 3 rd Prize in Milan T-20 Tournament in the year 2013
2. Win Wood Trophy T-20 Tournament in the year 2014
3. Win Accenture 7 a side tournament in year 2011
4. Runners up in Salvo Cup T-10 Tournament in year 2015
He has been coaching other pharma biggies like Abbott Healthcare (since 2011). Under his guidance Abbott corporate team win many a competitions Like –
1. Runner-up in Thane Vaibhav Corporate Tournament T-35 in “C” division in the year 2014
2. Runner up in Milan Trophy T-40 Tournament in the year 2014
3. Win Bronze final Shiraz-E Hind T-20 Trophy in the year 2016
4. win the Silver final of Chanawala Challenger T20 Trophy in the year 2016
And From Last 2 years he has coaching to Akumentis Healthcare (since 2016), and under his guidance Akumentis corporate team win the Platinum final of Chanawala Challenger T20 Trophy in the year 2016.
To his impeccable contributions to the game of cricket in Thane, Guardian Minister and PWD Minister of Thane; Eknath Shinde, felicitated Chandrashekhar Karmalkar on 1st May 2016. The occasion was graced with the presence of Sanjay More, Mayor of Thane, and Param Bir Singh, Commission of Police, Thane.
For Chandrashekhar Karmalkar, cricket is passion, profession, hobby and his life.