Follow Us:
He says that Modi thought big and made the team shine in the eyes of the world.
Jatin shared these things during a conversation at the Bombay Sports Exchange. He told that BCCI’s first big deal was with Nike, and Modi’s vision in this was amazing.
“Modi wanted a big brand, and he also made a plan for BCCI to open international retail stores,” Jatin said.
Now Team India’s jersey is sold everywhere, and all this happened because of Modi. Nike had to change its clothes to be light, comfortable, and performance-oriented according to cricket. Even Sachin Tendulkar’s shirt had a special V-cut, so that his Sai Baba pendant would not be hidden.
‘Think big, be big!’ – this was Modi’s mantra
According to Jatin, the real magic was in licensing and merchandise. Replica shirts and branded items made the team a superstar in the market.
Now fans wear Indian team caps and T-shirts all over the world, and cricket has become a big business, not just a sport.
But Jatin’s story doesn’t stop at Modi. He also shared memories of his father Vasudev Paranjape, who was a great coach of Mumbai cricket.
Vasuji trusted the players and gave them freedom.
“He was not strict, but sensible. He listened to the players and always played to win,” Jatin said.
Once Vasuji spat out two teeth when he got hurt in his mouth and hit a six on the next ball! He gave examples of such bravery.
Still, being the son of a big name was not easy.
Jatin says, “There was always comparison. Not only in sports, but also in personal life. But I made my own path.”
Bombay teammates supported him, and he moved ahead.