Of the 55 Tests he played from 1958 to 1969, Chandu Borde featured in four series against Australia — starting with the 1959 series against the touring Richie Benaud-led side and thereafter against teams skippered by Bobby Simpson and Bill Lawry.
Talking to The Hindu on the eve of the first Test against Australia, the 82-year-old Borde said:
“Sledging was there then also.
“But we did not follow what they said, so it did not distract or disturb us.
“We did not understand the Australian English and accent.
“We did not even bother to find out what they were saying.
Ignore!
“The moment we started ignoring what was directed at us, the Australians stopped sledging and began to concentrate on the game.”
As the oldest living Maharashtra player, Borde has been invited by the Maharashtra Cricket Association for the inauguration of the first Test at the MCA Stadium at Gahunje village on Thursday.
