Widely regarded as one of the finest fielding coaches in India, Ramakrishnan Sridhar has been recognised for his efforts after being named as India's fielding coach for their upcoming One-Day series against England.
Sridhar may well feel that the auspicious entry at Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has brought him luck with the news announced a fortnight after taking up the role of ACA head coach.
He was busy with the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, when he heard the ‘memorable news’ and will now make a hasty journey over to the UK to support India's attempts at making amends for their woeful performances in the Test series.
Indians have often been caught napping on the fielding front and as a collective unit, the national team has never boasted a team of exceptional fielders.
For the Mysore-born Sridhar, a fully-qualified coach who holds the Level ‘C’ BCCI certification, it has been a steady rise from a coach at the St John’s Coaching Foundation in Secunderabad, where he had his moorings under John Manoj, almost a decade ago.
Manoj told Sport360: "It is truly great news for all of us at the Foundation that one of our products has scaled the heights he was always destined to. He called me the moment he was told about his appointment. That is his humbleness and I am indeed happy for him."
Former cricketer and celebrated pupil of Manoj, V V S Laxman was also delighted at the 45-year-old Sridhar’s elevation.
Laxman felt was Sridhar's appointment was just reward for a man "committed to the job and one who has produced some outstanding results while serving in various capacities."
Sridhar, who played 38 first class matches for Hyderabad and South Zone, has held posts as Under-14 HCA team coach, with the Under-19 Indian team at a World Cup and, most recently, with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.
