After 18 years, Dungarpur realises India didn't win '83 Cup but WI lost

After 18 years, Dungarpur realises India didn't win '83 Cup but WI lost
Express News Service

Bangalore, February 19: It took Raj Singh Dungarpur close to 18 years to rubbish the ‘team of the 80s’. But once he started, there was no stopping him.‘‘India did not win the World Cup in 1983. Rather, the West Indies lost it,’’ he said while welcoming the assembly of cricket coaches from India, Australia and England at the National Cricket Academy Coaching Seminar in the City on Monday morning.

Pointing out at Syed Kirmani and Balwinder Sandhu (both members of that champion side) who were seated in front on him, he went on, unmindful he was running down their and Indian cricket’s finest hour: ‘‘That World Cup was won by accident. No doubt we had a fine team, but we won only because the West Indies batsmen let them down,’’ he lectured.

If Raj Singh had stayed on in the hall and listened to present Indian coach John Wright talk of the importance of celebrating victories, he might have realised how negative his thinking and approach was.

Instead, his task was to deliver the welcome address. And even in that he ensured he ran down as many big guns as possible. Perhaps he forgot that the same 80s team also won the Asia Cup and the World Series of Cricket. (Three accidents too many?)

If this was bad, he also ensured that another pet target of his would be run down. (No prizes for guessing). ‘‘We have no place for batsmen who play for records and complete their century only at lunch on the second day. They leave very little time for the bowlers to do their job, and are more interested in creating records,’’ he said.

None in the room was in any doubt as to whom he was referring. ‘‘There are two schools of cricketers in India. One, the Vijay Merchant school which was obsessed with records and nothing else. Sadly, there are many of this school still around. I must state that unlike these cricketers, Merchant also helped other young cricketers. (Makes one wonder why if Raj Singh was so convinced he did not sack this worthy when he was selector in the late 80s!)

‘‘Second is the CK Nayudu school which played positively and always in quest of victory. His spirit has once again come back to Indian cricket in the form of Sachin Tendulkar,’’ he pointed out.

For the many cricket coaches who had gathered early this morning, it was certainly a shocking welcome. For Raj Singh though, it is now standard fare.