Name Hindi: अशोक मांकड़ / Gender Coach
Ashok Mankad – The Master of Indian Cricket
India has produced some of the world’s leading cricket players, but few can top the caliber and influence of Ashok Mankad. Born on October 12, 1946, in Mumbai (then Bombay), Mankad made a name for himself not just with his on-field performances but also through an enduring philosophy around cricket embedded from his father’s teachings.
Early Life and Beginning of Career
Mankad was born into a family deeply rooted in cricket. His father, Vinoo Mankad, was one of India’s greatest all-rounders. This early introduction to the sport sparked Mankad’s interest at a tender age. He honed his skills at the maidans and gymkhanas in Mumbai and represented his school and college at various tournaments, each time putting up stellar performances that hinted at greater things.
- In 1968-69, Ashok scored almost triple the number of runs as compared to any other cricketer which included two centuries against Rajasthan in the final.
- His international debut came about during a tour by New Zealand in late 1969. His selection seemed a natural progression after he had amassed huge scores during domestic league matches throughout that year.
Pinnacle of Career
At his peak, Ashok Mankad was known as a chronic run scorer with noteworthy consistency. He left spectators awestruck with technical perfection while delivering high-performance play using both orthodox and highly innovative strokes.His long-standing record is remembered even today:
- Mankad has played total 90 first-class matches where he logged impressive 6619 runs with a remarkable average of 75.56!
- In India’s domestic cricket, Mankad was nothing short of outstanding. During his career, Mankad scored an incredible 12,980 first-class runs at an average of nearly 51 – making him one of the giants in Indian cricket history.
Post-Retirement
Even after retirement from active cricketing in the mid-1980s, Ashok continued to contribute to the game. For many years he worked as a coach for young cricketers and also did commentary on radio and television.He passed away at an age of just 61 in August,2008 but left behind a rich legacy that is cherished by millions around the globe even today.
To summarize, Ashok Mankad ‘s dedication to cricket coupled with his tremendous love and passion for this game made his contribution invaluable. A legend who etched his mark in the annals of cricketing history not just by breaking records but inspiring generations! His name will forever be remembered when describing the greatness of Indian Cricket.
