World Cup winners bat for award for their coach

Pawan Sen, a cricket coach, has produced four women international cricketers, including two world cup winners in Renuka Thakur and Harleen Deol, in the last 12 years. Despite this stellar record, his efforts have largely gone unnoticed and unrewarded until now. “His tireless efforts and dedication is the reason behind our success, but his efforts haven’t been awarded yet. It’s high time his role and efforts are recognised and rewarded appropriately,” said Renuka Thakur, a member of the World Cup winning women’s cricket team.

Sen has been associated with women’s cricket since 2009 when Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) started the first-ever residential cricket academy for women in Kangra. The academy was later shifted to its current location in Dharamsala. “We were just 12-13 years old when he took us under his wing. We were raw and had no clue about the game. He taught us everything and is the reason behind the success of so many girls,” said Renuka.

Sushma Verma, the first cricketer to play for India from Himachal in 2013, recalls Sen as a father figure to all the girls in the academy. “In 2009, no one bothered much about women cricket. When no one wanted to be associated with women cricket, he took up the challenge. He faced taunts from various quarters, but he stuck with us. And now he’s the coach with four international players, a record few coaches can boast of,” said Verma.

She further said that initial years at the academy in Kangra were tough as there was no physio, no trainer for almost three years. “But we never felt something was missing as he made fitness plans, handled injuries and learned first aid for us. Even his wife chipped in. A teacher, she worked on aspects like discipline, keeping a journal, communication skills and overall personality,” said Verma.

She further pointed out that apart from the four international cricketers, there are many other girls from the academy who are doing well in life after securing jobs through sports quota.

Sen, meanwhile, is extremely happy for his girls doing well at the national and international stage. “My reward is the success of my girls,” he says when asked about the lack of recognition of his efforts. “And the story is not ending with these four girls. There are a few more girls in the academy who would be knocking hard on the India door in a year or two,” said Sen.