Date:28/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092855091800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Srikkanth exudes confidence

S. Dinakar

Srikkanth factfile

Born: December 21, 1959, Madras

1981: Test debut against England in Mumbai, on November 27, after making his ODI debut two days earlier against England at Ahmedabad.
1989: Appointed India’s captain on its tour of Pakistan. Leads the team to four draws in four Tests.
1993: Retires at the age of 33.

— FILE PHOTO

DASHING CHIEF: K. Srikkanth, the new cricket selection committee chairman, radiates confidence.

Chennai: The former explosive opener is now the chairman of the Indian cricket selection panel. Krishnamachari Srikkanth eyes fresh challenge with optimism.

The 48-year-old former India captain told The Hindu here on Saturday, “It is a great responsibility. I will not be representing the BCCI alone, but the hopes and aspirations of a nation that is passionate about the game. It is a great feeling. I am extremely happy.”

Srikkanth heads India’s first paid selection panel. He said the committee would be “fair, responsible and honest.” “There will be no bias of any kind,” he added.

He is happy with his colleagues in the panel. “All of us have played cricket together. We know each other, get along well.”

Srikkanth does not forget to congratulate the former selection panel headed by Dilip Vengsarkar, he acknowledges: “They did a good job. And we will continue the good work.”

He takes over the reins during a critical, transitional phase in Indian cricket.

“Our immediate priority is to perform well in the Test series against Australia. That is the next goal. After that, we will strive to build a team for the 2011 World Cup,” he said.

Srikkanth said the yardstick for selection in the Test, ODI, and Twenty20 formats would be different. “Sometimes these things can get mixed up, can overlap each other. We will be clear about what we want for each format. Each format makes its own demands.”

The highest individual scorer in the 1983 World Cup final at Lord’s, Srikkanth’s punishing batting fetched him 4091 runs in 146 ODIs. He had his moments in Test cricket as well, scoring 2062 runs in 43 matches. The entertainer was popular with the crowds.

Can India triumph in the World Cup again? “Of course, we can,” replied Srikkanth. “We have the ability. We have to put things in place, need to be focussed,” he said.

Srikkanth’s communication skills came to the fore when he led a young Indian team exceptionally well on the demanding tour of Pakistan in the 1989-90 season. The team came through the test of fire, drawing all the four games against Imran Khan’s men. Interestingly, he was Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test captain.

Successful stint

After retirement from the game in 1993, he had a successful stint as the India ‘A’ coach. Subsequently, media commitments have enabled Srikkanth to stay in touch with the game. In the late 90s, he declined an invitation to join the selection panel due to too many other commitments.

Srikkanth dismissed talks of the selection panel being under any sort of pressure. “I never played my cricket under pressure. I enjoyed my cricket. I will enjoy my time heading the selection panel. I am clear in my heart and realise what is expected of me. There is no pressure, but the challenge is inviting.” A blithe spirit and a straight-talking man, Srikkanth still bristles with energy and radiates confidence. “I have always been positive in my approach and my attitude to the game. That will not change, in any role,” he stressed.