Metamorphosis: From being 'dictator' to Ajju bhai, J&K coach's story

FORMER India all-rounder Ajay Sharma was vacationing in Thailand with his family three years ago when he got a call from Mithun Manhas, ex-Delhi captain and member of Cricket Operations and Development of the sub-committee running the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.

- FIROZ MIRZA @Chennai

Sharma had seen Manhas' growth as a cricketer in Delhi and the duo had been in regular touch. Born in Jammu, Manhas after playing and leading Delhi for a long time had returned to J&K and was given a responsibility of improving cricket in the region. "He told me about the vacancy (coach) for the senior side as their incumbent coach Sanjeev Sharma had left the team. But honestly, I was not that interested," 61-year-old Sharma told this daily on the sidelines of the J&K match against Baroda in the Buchi Babu Invitation Tournament at the Murugappa Ground on Saturday. J&K went on to win the contest with a bonus point to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament.