by I have been reading a lot of interesting discussions on various XI's
recently. But I would just like to say that I have not been in touch
with cricket recently because of various reasons like:
1. Haven't watched a game for 3 years.
2. Poor performance of India.
3. Sunny's (Gavaskar) retirement.
(2 is a direct corollary from 3)
But sitting here I can reminisce of my obession with the game.
In my ***age years, I never missed a single ball bowled ( even listening
to the commentary in the class with a pocekt transistor).
I had a collection of statistics ( collected from magazines and
from Times of India's statistics at the beginning and end of the series).
Even collecting the statilite photograph ( you could not even
see the bat). But, those were the days.
The players that impressed me most during those years were:
Sunil Gavaskar -- Same nationality and probably the best opening bat.
Ian Botham --- I would have to give him the award of the man with an
exceptional talent and fighting spirit. Never have I
seen a palyer with his consistency ( In those few years) And also because of the fact that he and Kapil in those
days were wying for the fastest 100 wickets and 1000
runs and then 200 and 2000 and so on. The interest kept
on growing. Further I think when Viv Richards was
injured for a county season ( I think somerset),
Gavaskar played that year replacing Viv and I think
Botham and Sunny shared a very close relationship.
Imran Khan -- I remember the series ( the last series of Bedi as a
Captain and Player was it 1982-83!!). He was very
effective. Then came the series in 1984-85 (?), the
last series of Vishwanath. Imran never let the little
master settle down (except in one inning). Seeing Imran
swing the ball in the air and off the ground with so
much control was really a treat to watch.
Kapil Dev -- He may or may not fit into a world XI but the impact this player had on the game was incredible. He was very
similiar to Ian Botham in temprament and speed
, both in batting and bowling. Remeber the 1984 world
cup game against Zimbabwe, the man can do it alone.
Thompson ----- The fastest bowler with a javeline throw action. He was
simply incredible. Not veery accurate at the begiinig
but got better with time. Never knew what happened to
him.
Clive Lloyd ---- Man with a leaning stance. A very good captain,
supported by a equally good team. The best
combination of a team was under his captaincy.
Viv Richards --- I remember lot of his centuries or fast fifties
have come with a bad back. He had extremely good
reflexes and was a very powerful stroker of the ball.
Fun to play along not against.
Madan Lal --- India's little known medium pacer. Nothing to talk
about his bowling, a mediocre one but kept pressing
the selectors with his marvellous performances locally,
to take him back into the Indian side. A fighter and we
use to refer to him as a Panther.
Besides these there were other players whom I enjoyed watching but some how
they skip my mind.
I think that Ian Botham was a very talented player but got into some
problems with the selectors thus pre-empting his career. Although I think
he came back but he was never very effective again.
Anybody who would like to share views about their favorites ( and the era )??
Thanks in advance.
Ciao*
Rajeev Sehgal
Ciao* is a non-registered trademark of Ali Minai.