Time to wield the willow like Sachin

HYDERABAD: For a cricket crazy country like India, parents taking their children to cricket camps is a common sight.

It is seen more in summer when there is heavy demand for cricket camps.

This has resulted in a spurt in coaching camps in and around the city in the last decade or so.

“It is time when we make good amount of money,’’ admitted a coach.

At the Gymkhana, there is hectic activity with cricketers from the age of seven coming to train both in the morning and evening sessions.

And ever since the Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence has started, there is additional demand for admission into the camp.

“It is good to see so many cricketers coming for training. But it is not possible to admit all those players. We take a close look at all players before selecting the best for the camp,’’ said former Test left-arm spinner SL Venkatapathy Raju, who is one of the coaches at the academy. But for the little kids, it is fun time.

Abrar Ahmed, who is in charge of young trainees, said they do not put pressure on these kids who are around seven to eight years.

“It is more of fun. They are a very enthusiastic lot. They are all well equipped.

They feel excited when someone is asked to wear the pads to bat,’’ said Ahmed.

For most of these kids, they ensure that they come like the ‘big cricketers’ play in big matches. “I like to play like Sachin Tendulkar,’’ said Tejinder Singh, who is in third standard.

He comes with pads, shin, elbow and abdomen guards, helmet etc.

Kamlesh Parikh of Parikh Sports said there is a huge demand of cricket equipment in summer.

“Most of the players, including the seven-year-olds, ask for full gear like bat, abdomen guard, shin guard, elbow guard, thigh pad, gloves, bat and helmet.

It costs around Rs 5,000,’’ said Parikh.