Learn from the Hitman: Rohit to train local talent in Dubai during IPL

As per the partnership with Rach Sports, Rohit Sharma will be visiting the academy in Dubai every year. (AP)

The local cricket scene will soon have a Rohit Sharma flavour. The Indian batsman, whose combination of grace and power has propelled him to the pinnacle of white-ball batsmanship, will add his class to a new cricket academy in Dubai.
The Crickingdom by Rohit Sharma, a Rach Sports project, has got the Indian limited overs vice-captain on board as the mentor and director.
And the Mumbai Indians captain will visit the new Dubai academy after his team's last match at the 2020 edition of Indian Premier League which will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.
Girban Chakroborty, Head of Operations, Rach Sports, confirmed to Khaleej Times that the Indian limited overs vice-captain will spend 'quality time' with the students of the academy after the end of the defending champions' campaign in the 13th edition of the IPL in the UAE.
"There will be a press conference to announce his association with our academy in November after the Mumbai Indians' last match in the 2020 IPL," Chakroborty told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.
"He will then spending quality time with the kids at the academy. He will be sharing his knowledge and experience with the players as well as teaching them the batting technique. Rohit will also give a motivational speech," Chakroborty added.
"He will be talking to the kids about handling match situations and how to approach the game and prepare for a match."
As per the partnership with Rach Sports, Rohit will be visiting the academy in Dubai every year.
"Once a year he will be here to train the students at our academy. Rohit has shown a big interest in how we are working on this project. He is following every detail because his name is associated with the academy, so he wants to make sure we deliver a top-quality product," Chakroborty said.
Rach Sports has already roped in two well-known Indian coaches for their academy.
Mahesh Hatkar and Shantanu Ghosh, the two senior coaches at the academy, will be arriving on September 3.
"Mahesh Hatkar is a big name in India. He has worked with the Ugandan cricket team and the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team," Chakroborty said.
Ghosh will also bring his wealth of experience to the academy.
"Shantanu Ghosh has worked with the Jharkhand Ranji Trophy team. He worked with them when MS Dhoni was playing for Jharkhand. So both of them are quite big names in Indian cricket and they will be arriving here on September 3."
South African legend Jonty Rhodes is likely to attend the launch of the academy on September 4.
"Jonty hasn't confirmed because of the Covid-19 situation. But we are in talks with him and we are hopeful that he can join us at the launch on September 4," Chakroborty said.
The academy at the Springdale School, Al Quoz, has four turf wickets, a bowling machine and floodlight facilities.
The registration opens on August 21. 
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com