Kolkata: Former India fast bowler Ashok Dinda, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday (February 2). He revealed that he is planning to open a sports academy named ‘Dinda Academy of Pace Bowling.’
In a recent interview with Sportskeeda, Dinda revealed he will enjoy the coming months with his family after having shed blood and sweat for more than 16 years in Indian cricket. Among the many post-retirement plans occupying his mind, the 36-year-old Bengal pacer revealed one of them is to open a sports academy.
“Even though I have quit the game, the game will stay with me forever. I will just chill as of now, I have taken a lot of pressure all these years, there’s no headache now, so I will simply relax. And there is a social media page named ‘Dinda Academy of Pace Bowling’, so I am thinking why not open an academy with the same name? It is already famous, so a plan to open ‘Dinda Academy’ is there,” Dinda said.
“You can call it a sports academy, where kids can come, stay and learn cricket. All sorts of facilities will be made available to them, and I will also be available 24 hours. I haven’t come to a conclusion yet, but there are a few post-retirement plans in mind. Everybody will get to know in the next couple of months,” the fast bowler added.
He revealed that players from his district Medinipur have found shed at his home in Kolkata whenever they came to the city, something which the Cricket Association of Bengal should have taken care of. “I have been aiding district cricket in West Bengal for the past 10 years, I don’t need to specifically take out time now after retirement. Everybody from Midnapore district who wanted to come to Kolkata to play cricket used to always stay at my place,” Dinda said.
Dinda retired as one of India’s biggest veteran domestic fast bowlers having picked up over 400 First-Class wickets. He was last featured in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. Since making his first-class debut in November 2005, he played 13 ODI and 9 T20Is for India between 2010 and 2013.
After playing Bengal cricket for two decades he announced his retirement earlier this week. He also plied his trade for numerous IPL franchises. Dinda represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors. He played 78 IPL matches across 10 editions.
