Pandey

Guwahati, April 19: Former international Gyanendra Pandey of Uttar Pradesh has offered to play as a professional cricketer-cum-coach for Assam.

In a letter sent to the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) on April 12, the Lucknow-based player made himself available for a period of two years, initially.

An aggressive left-hand batsmen and spinner, Pandey has played two one-day internationals against Pakistan in 1999-2000.

Given Assam?s woeful performance in the Ranji Trophy this season ? the side was relegated to the Plate group from the Elite group first time in many years ? the ACA is seriously considering Pandey?s request. Secretary Bikash Baruah has written to some former cricketers and the affiliated units of the ACA seeking their opinions by April 25.

?Nothing has been finalised. We will place the proposal and the feedback from our units and players before the governing body. We have also received many other requests but this is the only formal one,? Baruah said.

Others in the running for the post of coach include present incumbent Dinesh Nanavati, Abdul Jabbar and another former international Saradindu Mukherjee of Bengal.

Pandey, who left for England on April 13 to play in the Lancashire league, could not be contacted. But former player and close friend Abhijeet Sinha told The Telegraph from Lucknow that he would return in August. He also said Pandey has been associated with the UP under-19 and under-22 teams. ?He works with them at the state camps whenever required,? he added, commenting on Pandey?s coaching experience.

Pandey?s curriculum vitae, faxed to the ACA, has detailed his achievements as a player and a leader. Since his debut in 1988, he has collected 4,000 runs and 140 wickets from 88 Ranji matches and 1,140 runs as a Central Zone player. In 1997-98, he led the UP team to its first Ranji final appearance in 23 years. His letter cites examples of two former internationals, Sanjeev Sharma (Rajasthan) and Ashish Kapoor (Tripura), who played and coached their sides successfully.

Sinha asserted that Pandey?s offer did not mean that his stint with UP was over. ?Far from it. He still has five to six years of competitive cricket left in him. In fact, he was in the team this season but dropped out after a couple of matches owing to injuries.?

According to Sinha, his friend is mulling a shift in search of new challenges.

?Since Assam recruits outstation cricketers and coaches, he offered his candidature. His worth as a player can be gauged from the fact that he has been playing league cricket in England for past six-seven years,? he added.