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Cricket
My first major assignment is in New Zealand: Vengsarkar
By G. Viswanath
MUMBAI, DEC. 31. After fourteen years the `Colonel' is again readying himself to take a shot at the World Cup, though at the lower level of the competition; for the under-19. There is, so to say, a world of difference between the two events; the under-19 really throws up textbook like `Boys' own tales', whereas the other event is a `Man's world' full off blood, sweat and toil and show of courage and heroism. With Dilip Vengsarkar it's not been exactly the latter case in the two World Cups he has represented India -- the last of the Prudential Cups in England and the Reliance Cup held in India.
In 1983 Malcolm Marshall's fury stopped him in his tracks on a rousing 32 at `The Oval'; the fast bowler's bolt upright and short pitched delivery cracking his chin and bringing him down. Vengsarkar needed six stitches. Four years later in 1987 he was not at the Wankhede, his home ground for the semifinal clash against England with his favourite `Bombay Duck' delicacy devastating his stomach to render him `hors de combat'. The only good thing was that he was part of the team that dethroned the West Indies in 1983.
Since the mishap of 1987 Vengsarkar has returned to a world cup spotlight, keen and eager to enhance and enlighten knowledge and nuances of the game to the pick of the under-19 in India and allowing himself the pleasure of extending his tryst with junior cricket that began with the foundation of the Elf- Vengsarkar Cricket Academy in 1994. ``I have been involved with junior cricket for almost eight years now. It gives me great pride in working with junior cricketers, unearth talent and groom them. I am looking forward to the World Cup in New Zealand as a first major assignment,'' said Vengsarkar, sounding very passionate and extremely candid about his new job.
The tall and elegant batsman of the 1980s, Vengsarkar, was made Director of the Talent Resource Development Committee of the Board of Control for India (BCCI) in October. Subsequently he was also made the consultant to the under-19 team for the World Cup, a position that entailed co-ordination with the junior selection committee and the coach and physical trainer, picking the team, drawing out a plan and implementing it.
``Everything has gone well so far. The facilities in Bangalore were excellent. The boys practised with white balls of the Kookaburra brand. The BCCI chief Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya has not said `no' to anything. He is closely involved with junior cricket. There is no use of charting out plans, unless it's implemented. Here the support from Mr. Dalmiya and Brijesh Patel (KSCA), because of his cricketing background, has been admirable.''
An example of the BCCI's proactive role in preparing the team for the event in New Zealand is evident in programming a ten-day training-cum-practice session in Sydney. ``We will play three matches against under-19 and club sides in Sydney before going to Auckland. I think these matches will give a good exposure to the boys. The conditions in Sri Lanka (when the Indian team won the Cup two years ago) was almost the same. It will be different in New Zealand, more English like. There will me more bounce, too. I am confident we will get quality opposition in Sydney. They are always tough and competitive. The players will get time to adapt and adjust.''
Vengsarkar did not want to make a first prediction about the prospect of the team retaining the title. ``We have to see the Australian, South African, English and other teams. As of now, I can say that we have, for a change, a good bowling attack. We also have plenty of allrounders. Almost all the batsmen can bowl. But the batting is not, I think, as strong as I would have liked to. But in skipper Parthiv Patel, the team has an intelligent captain. I have seen him lead in ten matches. He is a quality wicketkeeper and an opening batsman, who can also bat at No. 3. Parthiv was the obvious choice for captaincy,'' said Vengsarkar.
Knowing coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu is an added advantage said Vengsarkar. ``I have played with him for many years. He has been with the National Cricket Academy for some time. But the important thing is that he has worked with people like Frank Tyson. We have already spent three weeks at the camp in Bangalore. We have even interacted with John Wright who also visited the camp. I must say that whatever was planned has been executed so far. We hope and are confident to proceed on the same lines once we leave for Sydney on January 4. We are scheduled to play the first match in Auckland on January 21, but will spend 10 days in Sydney and play three matches there and another two warm up matches in Auckland before the first match (against the qualifying team from America).''
Vengsarkar also revealed that he put the `bowling machine' to maximum use at the camp in Bangalore. ``Well, when I was young and practised at the Dadar Union Club, coach Vithal Patil and another fine bowler in Urmikant Modi bowled at me, but to my weaknesses so that I could gain practice and correct my faults. Similarly I myself operated the bowling machine, controlling the speed and swing and according to the weakness of the batsmen. Thereafter I also talked to them so that they could practice and correct their faults.''
He has been able to do things his way, because he has almost been given powers `carte blanche'. But there is also the `Accountability' factor which is the buzzword for the BCCI and its high profile President Mr. Dalmiya. Hence people will be watching with interest the performance of the team which failed to qualify for the semifinal in South Africa (1998) because of an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR), but won the event in Sri Lanka in 2000.
The under-19 World Cup will take Vengsarkar through the first month of 2002 and also part of February. He will be a busy man thereafter, selecting the probables for the five zonal academies and also the National Cricket Academy. ``We have to complete this process by March. I strongly feel that there should be a programme, as there is for the senior team, for the India `A' and Under-19 teams. Our domestic tournaments will not give us quality players because the Test players do not play in these tournaments. India's `A' teams should visit Australia, South Africa, England and other countries. There should be two, home and away, series for the India `A' teams.''
Former Test batsman Dilip Vengsarkar, the consultant for India under-19 Junior World Cup team.-Photo : K. Bhagya Prakesh
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