Former India wicketkeeper-batsman and renowned coach Chandrakant Pandit has been conferred with a doctorate degree by IES University, Bhopal, on Saturday. Pandit, 64, a former Kolkata Knight Riders head coach, helped Mumbai, Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh win Ranji Trophy titles.
“Obviously, to get a doctorate [Doctor of Philosophy] for your work is always an honour. And it gives me motivation that yes, I can do more. When someone gives recognition for your work, it’s a great feeling,” Pandit told mid-day over the phone from Bengaluru on Sunday.
Currently, Pandit is guiding the MP team as a head coach as they prepare for the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final against Punjab to be played at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence ground in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
When asked how he feels when people say Dr Chandrakant Pandit now, Pandit, who represented the country in five Tests and 36 ODIs, said: “I’m yet to decide whether to put it [Dr] before my name [laughs].”
Former Olympic sprinter and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia also received similar degrees from chief guest Madhya Pradesh governor Mangubhai Patel.
