Somashekar Shiraguppi’s eyes focus on the practice area gauging strengths and weaknesses. He does have the gaze of a wicketkeeper. The 38-year-old former Karnataka cricketer is in the city as the wicketkeeping coach of the BCCI Specialist Academy where The Hindu caught up with him on Thursday.
A competent wicketkeeper who could also bat, Shiraguppi made 1,206 runs in 41 first class matches at 22.33. He was largely known for his slick work behind the stumps: 92 catches, 19 stumpings. Shiraguppi showcased his art in different times. “Those were the days when a wicketkeeper’s skill with the big gloves was the sole concern. Now, teams want wicketkeepers to be all-rounders,” he says.
He believes Adam Gilchrist changed the concept of a wicketkeeper-batsman. “Before him we had the odd ’keeper who could bat capably. But, after Gilchirst, the entire thought process changed. Teams wanted their ’keepers to also double up as specialist batsmen,” he says.
Has the shift in the role definition of a ’keeper impacted the quality of glovemen coming out? “We still have some very good ’keepers like Wriddhiman Saha, who many believe is the best in the country. Dhoni is an explosive batsman and a decent ’keeper too.”
Two young ’keepers have caught his attention so far. “K.S. Bharath of Andhra and Wasiq-ur-Rehman of Assam seem to have what it takes,” he says.
About the present day youngsters, he says: “The boys are aware that they have to be good batsmen to make it. They spend plenty of time, both at honing their ’keeping skills and batting at the nets. The load is greater, and they have to be supremely fit. I try to compartmentalise their ’keeping and batting.”
