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Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008
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BCCI is on the right track

It’s time other associations realised the importance of foreign tours, writes Makarand Waingankar

Exposure and development are two integral steps of grooming talented performers and the BCCI is on the right track in sending teams to Australia for the four-nation tournament and for friendly games in Israel.

In a country where more than 3,000 players take part in the BCCI-conducted tournaments, the level of performances can be gauged when these performers are pitted against quality opposition.

The India ‘A’ concept has been giving many opportunities to youngsters who otherwise would have continued to play domestic tournaments without really improving their skills and fitness.

Playing against foreign teams, howsoever weak they may seem, tests temperament. For all the big scores Ajit Wadekar made in the domestic tournaments, his temperament was found wanting when he played against touring teams.

He was selected for India only when the selection committee was convinced he was ready for international cricket.

Less opportunities

There were less opportunities then and if a cricketer failed to perform, he would be branded ‘first class player of a second class competition’. No longer can players complain of lack of opportunities.

What needs to be done is to have a technical cell that monitors the progress of these cricketers irrespective of whether they have been successful on tours or not.

That will keep motivating them.

The Gavaskar-Border scholarship was instituted to ensure that the teenagers who have performed get quality technical exposure in the Cricket Australia Academy. Though it has helped the trainees to a considerable extent, some of the boys were victims of domestic cricketing politics.

The trainees are chosen on the basis of consistent performances and they are expected to be encouraged on return, but most of the boys have fallen prey to the dislike syndrome of the state coaches.

Not many of these trainees have been given a fair run at the state level nor was there any interest shown in knowing what these trainees had undergone at the academy.

Why have such potentially advantageous scholarships if they adversely affect the careers of the boys? Take the case of Shaun Tait.

Having been identified as a potential quick bowler, the CA acted to sort out his problem.

They made him feel that he was wanted in the Australian dressing room.

An enjoyable environment was created by the staff who were working on him.

That is not the scene when the Indian Gavaskar-Border scholarship boys return.

Hopefully, when the Kerala Cricket Association’s 25 players return from the 42-day tour of Australia, there will be a follow-up of the boys who are extremely talented. Sanju Samson scored 974 runs in five matches of under-13 inter-state tournament last season.

The State under-19 captain M. E. Sanauth, is an ambidextrous spinner, who once claimed three wickets with the left hand and four wickets with the right.

All-rounder Raiphie Gomez, who was overlooked by the Royal Challengers despite playing some breathtaking knocks, will be on the tour.

The smaller associations have realised the importance of the foreign tours.

And if the BCCI makes other associations have such development programmes, Indian cricket will have a huge pool of talent to choose from.

T20 may have been pure entertainment, but it has created awareness among the associations.

It’s good for the game in the country.

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