Suryakumar Yadav Supports Childhood Coach After Unfair Dismissal

Suryakumar Yadav's childhood coach, Ashok Aswalkar, disclosed that he was dismissed from his position at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) ground after 24 years of service. At the time of his termination, he earned Rs 41,000 for his dual roles as a groundsman and coach.

The 61-year-old revealed that he received his last salary from the Anushktinagar Sports Management Committee (ASMC) in December. He was unaware of his impending dismissal until months later when he was asked to leave via a text message after waiting for three hours during a meeting with ASMC officials.

The ASMC and its head are now keen to reinstate Aswalkar with a full-time role as a curator-cum-coach. Ramakant Sahu, the head of ASMC, explained that Aswalkar's dismissal resulted from miscommunication and misunderstanding. However, Aswalkar is unlikely to return and plans to start a new venture with Suryakumar Yadav.

"I am coaching youngsters in an indoor turf facility at Chembur now. I spoke with Surya about starting a cricket academy and he gave me a positive reply. We both want to provide coaching to needy youngsters. Money was never a priority for us, and it will not be in the future," Aswalkar said while discussing his future plans.

Aswalkar joined the BARC ground in 1989-90, assisting Jagannath Phanse as a groundsman and coach. He started with a monthly salary of Rs 3,000. By December 2023, he earned Rs 26,000 per month for his groundsman duties and Rs 15,000 for coaching from an agency.

India's newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has often acknowledged the contribution of his childhood coach in his career. He also featured with him in a TV commercial glorifying Ashok Aswalkar's role in making him a star.

Suryakumar Yadav was unimpressed after the turn of events and stopped entertaining the person responsible for the firing of his coach from his job.

"I didn't even tell my family members that I had lost my job. I just messaged Surya to say that I lost my job and told him who was responsible for this damage. Surya in response stopped entertaining that particular person," Aswalkar said.

Aswalkar recounted attending his nephew's wedding in Malvan with prior notice given to ASMC. Upon returning on December 31, he waited three hours without any communication before being told via message to go home and await further instructions. A week later, no one met him again during another visit.

A month later, Aswalkar received another message asking him to meet some ASMC members at the ground. He spoke with Mr Ramakant Sahu and two other committee members who listened carefully but did not follow up afterward. His last salary drawn was ₹26,911 in December 2023.