Chandrakant Pandit, the former wicketkeeper-batsman for India and a highly respected coach, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by IES University in Bhopal on Saturday. At 64, Pandit, who has previously coached the Kolkata Knight Riders, is credited with leading Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh to victory in the Ranji Trophy.
“Receiving a doctorate [Doctor of Philosophy] for your contributions is truly an honor. It inspires me to strive for even more. When your efforts are acknowledged, it’s an incredibly rewarding feeling,” Pandit shared in a phone interview from Bengaluru on Sunday.
Currently, he is coaching the Madhya Pradesh team as they gear up for their Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final clash against Punjab, set to take place at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
When asked how it feels to be addressed as Dr. Chandrakant Pandit, he humorously replied, “I haven’t yet decided if I will use the title [laughs].”
Alongside him, former Olympic sprinter and President of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha, and Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia were also honored with similar degrees by Madhya Pradesh governor Mangubhai Patel.