Weird title? Not really! This is a gem that I heard from a Cricket commentator recently. And if you are thinking that the Cricket commentator is Navjot Singh Sidhu then you are highly mistaken, because though Sidhu sahib’s comments are just a bit hard to swallow, on a closer analysis they do make sense. This gem is the creation of none other than the greatest commentator of Doordarshan’s self appointed experts – Mr. Kris Srikkanth.
And where did I hear this comment? On Fair and Lovely Fourth Umpire which, according to an old review on MS, is the most pathetic Cricket show on television. It was during the ongoing One Day series that I happened to hear Srikanth (Mr. Loud) quarrel it out with Amarnath (Mr. Singer). And it was fun to see Anjum Chopra, former Indian women’s Cricket captain laugh at the way these two veterans were fighting. I wish I were in her place sitting in that studio, I would have had more fun than the spectators had in the Jaipur One-Dayer.
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Cheeka – The Player
The man from Tamil Nadu was destined to reach unimaginable heights (in his times) of success. The short, stocky man became a partner of Gavaskar as they went out to open the innings in One dayers and for a brief period, in test matches as well. The result is something that we can compare to the combination of Dravid and Sehwag. While Cheeka, as he was often fondly called by his team mates, belted the bowlers all over the park, Gavaskar held up the other end, frustrating the bowlers with his near-misses and dreadfully slow batting.
Statistic speaks
An interesting piece of statistic about Srikkanth is that his highest score in both ODIs and Tests is 123, although scored against different teams. Making his debut in 1981, he was to have a 11 year long career. The early part of his career saw him getting in and out of the team but he soon settled and became an integral part of the team.
The high point of his career came in 1983, when he was part of the great Indian team that won the World Cup. Rank outsiders India had managed to upstage the world champions and Srikkanth became the highest scorer in the final of that tournament. A career average of under 30 in tests as well as ODIs showed his inconsistency but his swashbuckling style ensured that he was never out of the team for long.
At 4092 runs, he was at one time the highest runs scorer for India in the shorter version of the game. This included 4 centuries which made him the highest century maker for India along with Navjot Singh Sidhu (What a combination!!!). He was eventually outdone by Azharuddin in this department, and then later on by the great Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly.
It was considered a remarkable achievement by the team when he led India to a draw in the 4 test series in Pakistan in 1989. His poor batting form however led to his fall and he was given an exit that is reminiscent of the one that has been recently given to Ganguly. Cheeka, being a fighter, stormed back into the team in 1991 and stayed put till India participated in the 1992 world cup.
The Indiana Jones of Indian Cricket
To say that Srikkanth’s batting style was entertaining would be an understatement. He was, in his era, a revelation, a completely unthought-of character that would walk out in the sun, fearless and unmindful of who is going to bowl to him. The courage that he showed coming in to bat without a helmet or sometimes wearing a helmet without a visor is something that hasn’t been seen in players of the modern era. Today’s batsmen wear helmets even when they face spinners! Imagine bowlers like Holding, Botham, Walsh steaming in on bouncy tracks and hitting the turf hard expecting the batsman to duck or evade and yet getting hit over deep square-leg for a boundary. Such was the ability of this man.
The Original Pinch Hitter
Move over Afridi, Jayasuriya, Sehwag and Gilchrist. In comes Cheeka. Not many would remember his power hitting but Cheeka can be regarded as the original pinch hitter. At a time when one-dayers were still a novelty for the connoisseurs of the game, Srikanth took their breath away with his lusty shots and free hitting. His selfless, aggressive and attacking approach could unsettle bowler of any calibre. This attitude came with a rider and he often used to pay dearly for it whenever he was dismissed cheaply. But he signalled a change in attitude towards ODIs. His do or die approach was later adapted and enhanced by the likes of Jayasuriya and Afridi to great effect.
Cheeka of Today
Some wise soul once said that an ex-cricketer must not try his hand (and mouth) at commentating on radio or television. And what better example to exemplify this statement than our very own Cheeka. Sample this blooper:
You see, England players traditionally have been playing very traditional cricket. English players have a typical English like attitude and Pakistani players have a typical Pakistani like attitude. And I’m telling you Chaaaru, this English like attitude is very different from this Pakistani like attitude.
Get the point? I’m sure you do. Now tell me, can you tolerate this bakwaas? I cannot say about you but I like to munch on this bakwaas whenever I get a feeling that India is losing the match. The grief that an Indian Cricket fan goes through after every lost match is evaporated if he vows to sit through the half hour long Fair and Lovely Fourth Umpire.
TAKE YOUR PICK… WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LISTEN AT THE END OF A BAD DAY OF INDIAN CRICKET? SIDHUISMS OR SRIKANTHISMS?