Long jump or high jump? It was a predicament Tinu Yohanan fought for most of his teenage days. He had a magnificent legacy to look up to; his father, T. C. Yohanan, was a celebrated athlete, a long jumper who dominated the event in Asia. To be an athlete or a cricketer was a difficult choice to make.
“I didn’t get the (long jump) distance in my age group (at least 6.8 to 7 metres) but I had the ability to clear heights. I did 1.86 (in high jump) in a state meet. At school, I did long jump and triple jump.” He pursued athletics but cricket was his secret love. It became an obsession once he saw a video clipping during the telecast of the India-South Africa home series in 1996 and made his decision.
The video showed the making of a fast bowler at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai. “That was the inspiration,” remembers Tinu. An advertisement in a local paper set him on course. He attended the trials and T. A. Sekar unerringly spotted the raw talent in the gangling youngster from Kerala. The process had begun. “When I was picked for the Foundation it triggered the fire in me. It just took off from that moment.
Tinu was raw, too raw actually, when he experienced the hallowed company of some glittering stars of Indian cricket. “I had come from a good season, a decent Irani Cup match and an encouraging ‘A’ game against England. I was too raw and I knew it was a big occasion. My preparation was same for the Test (at Mohali in 2001) even though the pressure was greater because of the reputed people in the dressing room.” Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble are the “reputed” people Tinu is referring to.
The Test debut was an unforgettable experience, the moment when he stepped on to the field, ran in and bowled. “I was welcomed by the team. Believe me, I was not nervous only because of the support of the team. My in-swing worked straight away,” he relives those glorious moments from his three Tests and three ODIs career. “I thought I always had an advantage when bowling to left-handers. The angle came naturally and I managed to hit the right length.”
The occasion came as a blessing. So did his first wicket, off his fourth delivery, when he snared Mark Butcher. “I have lived that moment countless times. It was so exciting to get a wicket in my first over.” The ball, nicely angled, took the edge and flew to second slip where the trusted Laxman held it gleefully, the fielder happier than the delighted bowler. There was applause for Tinu on the field; in the press box too. The first Test cricketer from Kerala had done his state proud. “It was a wicket for my parents, my family, for people who trusted me. The sporting background at home helped.” Tinu got Marcus Trescothick as the second wicket. He added the pair in the second innings too.
Tinu’s second Test at Ahmedabad was a struggle. “The difference was the pitch.” It was pretty flat and even Javagal Srinath made little impact. “At Mohali I was able to get the angle but the movement was missing.” Tinu is candid in his self-assessment of the match which left him wicketless.
His next Test happened against New Zealand at Hamilton. “The pitch was a bit helpful, Zaheer (Khan) took six wickets for the match but I was a little rusty. I had not bowled for a while and my lack of experience showed. If only I had bowled fuller length. Bowling short did not help me at all.”
Tinu had not lived up to the expectations. The reasons were few. “Motivation was never a problem. My effort was always there but somehow the performances were not coming.” He was a run-up and rhythm bowler and the fluency was missing in his approach. “There were issues,” he confesses. He bowled close to 120 no balls and it became tough for him to arrest this “landing” problem.
Among his notable victims in ODIs was Chris Gayle, the modern destroyer of bowling. “His reputation was not so big. He was just coming into the scene. Of course, getting him now would be a great feeling.” In his six-month international career, Tinu bowled in India, New Zealand, West Indies and England. And when he batted in Tests, he always remained unbeaten, no bowler being good enough to take his wicket!
Tinu is happy cricketers from Kerala are being noticed. “They are getting the opportunities and good that they are availing them. The KCA (Kerala Cricket Association) is doing a great job of grooming youngsters. A lot of academies have sprung all over the state. Some of these youngsters have been around for some time and the talent in fast bowling is noticeable,” says Tinu, making a special mention of Sandeep Warrier, P. Antaf and Basil Thambi.
Being the son of a famous father was a “boon” and Tinu ensured he did not let his family and well-wishers down. “I am lucky that so many people have supported me at different times. They kept saying I could play again. I had to keep trying. Honestly, I never felt any pressure because the media too was kind to me.”
Being an introvert did, however, hamper his learning process. “To an extent yes, I agree. If only I could talk to people more. Guidance in my early days of international cricket would have helped me gather the finer aspects of fast bowling. But honestly, I have no regrets at all,” feels Tinu, who finished with 145 wickets from 59 first-class matches.
Incidentally, Tinu, 34, is settled in Chennai where he works as Senior Manager with Chemplast and loves spending time with wife (Sheeba) and kids Jonathan, Jovina and Joanne. A huge fan of Tendulkar, he shares a feature with the master. Both played their last Ranji Trophy match at Lahli (Rohtak); Tinu in 2009 and Tendulkar four years later. Before signing off, Tinu gently reminds, “I am not yet retired from first-class cricket,” the laughter signifying the happy-go-lucky man that he is.
(Part 11 of a 12-part series on forgotten heroes of Indian cricket)
