JEDDAH, 7 October 2004 — The India-Australia Test series, which began yesterday, will be an exciting one. “It will be a clean and close contest because we’ve a very good blend of experience and youth in our team,” India’s former cricketer Syed Kirmani said here last night.
“The absence of injured (Sachin) Tendulkar will certainly affect the team, but that can be overridden if all our batsmen live up to the expectations,” one of the most successful wicketkeepers told Arab News at Al Salam Holiday Inn Hotel.
He is here as the chief guest of the annual dinner being hosted by Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association, Jeddah chapter, at the hotel tonight.
Australia also sees itself in the same situation, with their inspiring leader Ponting sidelined by injury. The captain’s absence does make a great difference but they have “taken it as a challenge” and have built up a formidable total at the end of the first day for five wickets, even after losing four wickets for 141 runs at one stage.
The day also marked a milestone in the career of leg spinner Anil Kumble who crossed the figure of 400 wickets. “I’m proud of his feat because it was during my captaincy that he made his debut in the Karnataka state team,” recalled the veteran cricketer.
He, however, does not subscribe to former Test batsman and commentator Sunil Gavaskar’s view that Kumble and Harbhajan Singh are the best spinner-duo in the world today. “There can never be another combination of spinners like India had in Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrasekar, however, what we have is the best today.”
Kirmani, who was the chairman of the National Selection Committee, said he had no clue about the term of office of the selectors when he assumed charge. In fact, he took charge after Brijesh Patel, also representing the southern region, had completed two years. There was no interference from any quarters during his chairmanship. As per the established practice, the captain and the coach make suggestions about the team selection and it is ultimately the selectors who do the job taking into consideration those suggestions.
Kirmani feels that coach John White has instilled discipline into to the team and provides great support. Although he agrees that physical fitness of players should last long, he is of the view that physical training is overdone. “If a machine overworks, it fails. In cricket, you don’t need muscles, but flexibility. They all are obsessed with gymics. If the time they spend in the gym is devoted to the game like bowling to a line and length and in further education of the game, things can get better.”
Kirmani emphasized that there ought to be one wicketkeeper for both the Tests and One-Dayers. He thinks wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has talent and promise. Fast bowler Irfan Pathan has already been labeled as the Indian team’s discovery for 2003. “In fact, Pathan is an allrounder in the making. He should develop as a good batsman. This is where nursing is required. There are slow and quick learners. Irfan is a quick learner and has shown consistency.”
The hectic cricket schedule year-round is reflecting on the players whose recurrent injuries keep them away from the game. “The quality and standard of the game has deteriorated. Our cricketers are spoon-fed at every stage. They are not allowed to educate themselves. The saving grace is that it is a morale booster for our young cricketers who are excited to play with legends,” he said.
Kirmani, who played 88 Tests and 49 One-Dayers in his career from 1975 to 1986, said he was honored to have been invited by the AMU Old Boys Association. “I was the chief guest at the valedictory function at the AMU in Aligarh in 1986 and was honored with the university color,” said Kirmani who will be performing his fifth Umrah during the current visit.
