Knocked Out by Rajdeep Sardesai - 2
Bouncer 2:
When a Fanatic Fan, Karnataka Cricket meets a Fanatic Fan, Mumbai Cricket, it is foolishness to miss out on the opportunity to screw the Mumbai Fan's happiness by reminding him about Karnataka's most glorious win against Bombay in Ranji Trophy. That’s the only way to find solace from Mumbai's most inglorious win in the recent Ranji Finals. Would I miss? No way!!
Raghu: Although Viswanath scoring a ton on debut is my first recollection of following cricket, it was your dad’s 212 that made me get interested in the game. In fact that knock was the beginning of the renaissance of Indian cricket.
Rajdeep: Yes, that was a memorable series for my dad.
Raghu: How did your dad look at the newer forms of the game? The fast and aggressive brand of cricket.
Rajdeep: Well, when it comes to cricket, he was a romantic. Playing the game, following it was all a lifetime romance for him. To him this romance meant the slow, leisurly version of the game. They all played for passion. Money did not exist. In hs days they were paid Rs 500 a day for tests. On one occasion, India beat New Zealand in a little over 3 days and Bedi was recollecting that BCCI wanted to pay a few hundred rupees less because the match got over early!
But he recognized that the game has changed, it is now big business. When Dhoni started hitting those sixers in Jaipur, he saw it as the death of the romance! Now, to us, it is all thrill and we still know how to enjoy the game.
Raghu: So you enjoyed the Ranji Finals! I saw you tweeting and rooting for Mumbai while I was screaming and cheering for Karnataka.
Rajdeep: Yes, it was a great final. Not often that we come across a game like that. I’m glad Mumbai finally won.
Raghu: You even went to the extent of asking all cricket fans to stop working and watch he match!
Rajdeep: Well, I have a colleague who is a fanatic Kannadiga. The whole day he came to office and sat infront of TV. He refused to do any work. He was calling us to do the same. When Pandey was there, I had no hope! But after he left, I saw a chance and I too joined our Kannadiga friend. After every ball, it was him versus me in office! He felt miserable after Mumbai won.
Raghu: But then, you know Mumbai resorted to ungentlemanly tactics.
Rajdeep: What excuses are you giving? Grapes are sour. A win is a win. A defeat is a defeat. But all credit to Karnataka. The youngsters are very impressive.
Raghu: I haven’t got over this loss yet. Anyway, I was lucky to have been a fan during the 1973-74 semifinal when Karnataka won. To this day, that has been the mother of all battles between the two teams. What a win it was.
Rajdeep: Oh, even my friend Ram Guha rates it as the greatest ever victory in a cricket match. My dad played Ranji Trophy between 1960 and 1972.Throughout this period, Bombay was always the winner. Ironicaly, the year after he retired, Bombay lost control over the trophy.
Raghu: Viswanath and Patel scored centuries. Bombay’s monopoly over Ranji Trophy came to an end forever since then. That’s what makes it special.
Rajdeep: I know. Prasanna, Chandra took lot of wickets. Chandra was a very different and special kind of bowler. My dad rated him very very high. You seem very thrilled about it. Does that make you feel like a winner?
Raghu: Yes, for all times!!
Rajdeep: Raghu, let me tell you something you don’t know. Listen. My dad always had fond recollections of the 1967 semifinal between the then Mysore and Bombay. Batting first, Mysore scored 341 runs. With that kind of score, the then President of Mysore SCA, Mr Chinnaswamy, started imagining Mysore lifting the trophy! In those days when everyone, including players, travelled by II class train, he ordered the entire team of officials to fly immediately to Bombay. So they landed and watched the match. To watch my dad score a century and Wadekar score a double century. At the end of the day, Bombay’s score was 340/1. The entire team of officials took the next available plane and returned to Bangalore! Wadekar went on to score 323.
Raghu: Oh, I wasn’t aware of this. Interesting and depressing! So we still have a score or two to settle. View Scorecard 1967 Mysore vs Bombay Ranji Semi Final
Rajdeep: The story doesn’t end there. Wadekar wanted to declare at some stage. My dad told him “no, don’t declare. Let’s bat as long as possible. Otherwise, having lost, they will bat for a long time and make us get tired. I am not interested in fielding!”.
"Mumbai will beat Karnaaka. Next year and every year" he continued, rubbing salt into the wounds.
(Rajdeep had no clue he will be meeting a Fanatic Fan from Bangalore and there will be someone to talk cricket. His near-perfect recollection of dates and numbers speaks volumes about the passion with which he follows cricket scores.)
(To be concluded ... my next post will be the last in this series)
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I totally agree with you better Mr.Raghu....