BHOPAL, 31 January 2003 — India’s veteran cricketer Capt. Syed Mushtaque Ali has slammed the appointment of a foreign coach for the Indian cricket team. He has described the move as a national insult.
In an interview to Arab News Capt. Mushtaque said “India gave so many fine players like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev to the world and we are taking the services of a foreign coach. I don’t feel it’s necessary”. The tall 89-year-old cricketer, still fitness conscious, said in Indore, his native place: “Indian players should have been trained for fast wickets for the World Cup but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid no attention to this. It’s well-known to officials that South African wickets are fast and still they didn’t make efforts to provide players with favorable training facilities. We can pray for their success,” the former ace said.
Regretting the lack of sportive spirit in today’s game, Capt. Mushtaque recalled the day in 1936 when a certain English skipper approached him, when he was nearing his century at Old Trafford, and said: “You have a great chance, come on, get your hundred.” Moments later, Mushtaque became the first Indian to complete a ton in England. “We don’t see that kind of thing today,” he lamented.
The sole Indian selected for the Umpire’s Eleven in 1947 and Padma Shri awardee said: “By God’s grace, I have everything today. I have grandsons and granddaughters and everything in life.” Describing as baseless the reports which said that he was needy, Ali said they worried his friends and relatives residing in India and abroad.
However, he said: “The BCCI should care for former cricketers living in needy conditions. They don’t need money, they want honor. Former Test player C S Naidu died here in needy conditions,” he moaned.
