The Hindu : Sport : Looking ahead after a baptism by fire

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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Sport

Looking ahead after a baptism by fire

Vijay Lokapally

NEW DELHI: His Test ‘debut’ was baptism by fire. With Billy Doctrove reporting ill, Amish Saheba, the third umpire, was rushed into a job he was ‘ill’ prepared for — to join Rudy Koertzen as the second on-field umpire during the recent India-Pakistan Test at the majestic Eden Gardens.

But Saheba was “thrilled” and grabbed the chance. Pakistan needed 38 to avoid the follow-on and India required four wickets to make the opposition bat again. Hardly had he settled into his position than came a most daunting task — an appeal for a bat-pad catch as Misbah-ul-Haq jabbed at Harbhajan Singh and wicket-keeper M.S. Dhoni claimed the catch.

Saheba was under intense scrutiny. “Not out” was his response and the game went on with the Indians making no effort to hide their disappointment.

Bruce Yardley, commentating on television, ran into the umpire during lunch and conveyed his colleagues’ appreciation of Saheba’s “wonderful” decision. For a man, who began his cricket journey as a kid with a big ambition to play for the country, it was a very emotional moment indeed.

Saheba, 48, pursued the game with a desire to represent the national team. He figured in the Indian under-19 team in 1977-78 and went on to play first-class cricket for Gujarat before plunging into umpiring.

“I have enjoyed umpiring because it gives me a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. There is joy in making runs and taking wickets but it is also important to know that you have conducted the game smoothly too,” said the Ahmedabad-based umpire.

Reflecting on his international career, Saheba noted, “the standard between domestic and international cricket is huge. At the international level, all 11 players in either team are good and striving to make it big. So the pressure to perform well falls on the umpires too.”

Walking to the middle with the full house anticipating some exciting cricket can make any umpire nervous. Saheba is no exception. “But I feel that the pressure also helps you to do well. The biggest challenge comes from the spectators. The noise and cheering does effect your concentration. But I manage it with my yoga and meditation prior to the day’s play. It helps me stay calm and do my duty professionally.”

Irritating trend

An irritating trend that harms an umpire’s concentration most when officiating in India is the crowd movement. “It can disturb you most when the game stops because some spectator or some policeman comes in front of the sight screen. This can be very annoying for the batsman. As an umpire we have to concentrate hard and keep on eye on the ball all the time. It takes an effort to regain your concentration every time the game stops for such reasons.”

What gives him the greatest joy? A “Well done gentleman” remark from the captains. Saheba, 15 ODIs old, is firmly on course to realise his ambition — becoming an ICC Elite Panel umpire.

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