My cricket coach...

His name is "Nana" Joshi. He had played for India [as wicket-keeper] and had toured England and the West Indies in the early 50s. His performance for India was below his potential and does not do justice either to his talent or his character. I had the good fortune to have known this great man. I had been selected for our organization cricket team in 1983. There was a coaching camp organized by the National Cricket Lab, Pune. Mr.Joshi lived in Pune. It was an enjoyable trip and camp. I learnt many things there in the mere ten days. Our team-mates from different parts of the country made a good gathering. We enjoyed the cricket camp as well as being together as a team. The city of Pune is 24 hours by train from here.

I had the good luck of being liked by Mr.Joshi among all the boys. It seems that he had said [behind my back] that my cricketing abilities are just perfect and that I deserved to play at least for the state, leave alone country. I have also heard others say this - but I was always keeping my head on my shoulders - as was a 'habit' of mine. Later, we had exchanged a couple of letters and in one of them, he had given me valuable tips and had wanted me to 'put behind the good performances behind and be ready to do better the next time'. It is such a wise suggestion that, being of the mold I told earlier, was never too difficult to follow! In fact, that letter only inspired me to carry along the same way. He is one person who I frequently remember and admire for his 'fatherly advices'.

He had taken me home to show the original pictures of him in action in Test Matches. It was such a thrill seeing his albums and the proud possessions of autographs of great cricketers, etc. I will never forget my visit there. My next visit to his house [with another teammate - we wanted to visit at any cost] after a decade was to convey our condolences to his family. He had passed away a few months prior to our another tour. He had died of liver cancer [he was a teetotaller!]. I miss him a lot as a person. He used to dive and show how to catch even at his age of 59 or so. Not so easy for a normal person!

In this picture he is in the Indian Blazer, center. Hope people can guess where I am!

Again after 2 years we had the opportunity of another camp, but this time it was less enjoyable. But we played some good cricket and won three games that were arranged in a terrific manner. I won many friends there through my performances.

The above picture was taken by a passerby after a tough morning's session. The coach is sitting with the red-striped pullover.

The above picture was taken by a passerby after a tough morning's session. The coach is sitting with the red-striped pullover.

This pic is at the historic Poona Club ground. An old pavilion is the attraction. I took 6 wickets in this game too and I enjoyed every bit of our victory against a strong team. I was the 'virtual man-of-the-match'.

Joshi's profile: http://www.cricket.com.pk/db/PLAYERS/IND/J/JOSHI_PG_06000904/ I must add that he was a respected coach in the state of Maharashtra, at a time when coaches were too few. These days, a team will have a specialized coach and coaching techniques themselves have changed in parallel with technological aids that are becoming a common thing. Equipment used for games too have gained in quality.

Where are you on those pictures Dinu? your friend sounded like a wonderful person, I kknow how highly cricket is thought of, almost revered like here.. baseball... [ altho cricket has been around a very very long time]...
Do you still play ???
Isn't that lovely to have such very fond memories of such a special man, and so many memories for you to remember, I think you were very fortunate to have known him....
blessed !!!!

By coincidence, I'm seen extreme left. In the second one, I am kneeling with a white hat in hand. Indeed, he was a special person. I came to know about his death from the 'papers, when I was taking part in an Athletic Meet away from home and I was so sad. Later I came to know that he died of liver cancer - he was a teetotaller!

Oh yes, I enjoy nostalgic moments and still continue playing. In my team now, there are persons who are less than half my age!!

This month end, our office team will be on a tour for our bi-annual tournament. So I will be away from 21st to 4th Nov. It's a tough long tour by rail. Besides Cricket, there are other faculties to which 35 people are traveling in our contingent.

Wishing you lots of success on your trip, was watching BBC news last week, India v Australia, cricket match...hope you guys did well [ my brother lives in Australia but is a soccer fanatic]
I will check out your picture....I noticed your friend was born on my dads birthday..[Oct 27] that is a special day for us....one thing about cancer I sometimes think some people are predisposed to it as it does not strike folks who have smoked and drank all of their lives..and yet others like Mr Joshi who lead a very clean life, did not escape, it is very sad...
Sounds like you are keeping up with the young uns...you can probably teach them a thing or two....

ps just checked out the photo you do not look very old, in fact you look real young...the other members on your team must be teen agers ??? [ I know they are not] a very handsome group !!!!

You should have been playing last week for India, Dinu :-(

It was a hearty fightback, but they were just too far ahead.

Good luck for the next games.


Googlymoor

Marion,
Talk about looking young..... indeed, looks defy age in some cases and I must admit it is no exception! Even though the pictures are of 1983 and 1986. Actually, I was talking about my other team "The Mysore Gymkhana". The one above is of the combined CSIR team [selected from Institutes/labs of our council from different parts of India] where people older than me was a common thing -- and now, I have that privilege of being on the wrong side of numbers!

Another interesting thing... In the second picture, sitting next to me is our 'wicket-keeper'. His right leg is polio affected and considerably weak and short. But he is an amazing act. Wonderful player, despite the handicap! Almost as if there is no handicap! It was from his camera all those memories could be captured and he was terrific company too. He is an aeronautical scientist.

Wintermoor,
You really bowled a googly! Howzzat you have this 'cricket sense'? Germany too played in the qualifying rounds for the ICC Trophy, if I remember correctly.

Yes, I was too tempted to get out there and play the Aussies. Oh, they played - in fact, outplayed India, so well. Our batting let us down. It was some terrific bowling - I enjoyed every bit I watched on TV. We required such fightback in the first innings!

Thanks for wishing me for my cricket tour. But I will check in on and off, before I go.

Dinu, I knew the people with you on the photo are not the young pups you were taking about [half your age]...It is a very good sport and unlike soccer or the rest of them, [which I cannot abide to watch since I last saw someone getting their leg broken] it is relatively ''safe'', [ I call cricket civilized ha]....my family are baseball and football crazy, altho my grandaughter is a very good basketball player [ have you noticed how big the children are now]..she is only 12 yrs old and 5ft.11inchs.[ size 13 shoe] oh my..we are all shrimps..do you have any children who play or are interested in the game with you...my brother had to wait untl his grandson came along [he was serious about wanting to adopt our youngest son] he needed a football buddy ....our son has turned his attention to basketball, altho he did play that himself in school...
I did not see much of the cricket against Australia, but I knew the Aussies were winning, but better luck next time..there is always another game right !!!!!

ps those googlys are something else to watch..are they accepted as part of the game,I never knew if they were a foul or not.....

Marion,
my two daughters are not showing any interest in any game. It's the study routine/curriculum that prevents so many children from taking any sport, without sacrificing something else. That's the sad situation here. The elder one is in her 15th and she is not even 5', like her mother. Talk fo shrimps! The younger one is in her 10th year and she is showing signs of growing a bit taller.

I am seriously wondering if it is the hormones in everthing now that the children are consuming..altho our son is 6ft.3" and his wife is pretty tall, we think our grandaughter is going to be extremely tall [hope NOT 6ft] but seems more than likely..I do worry about the food situation tho...and hate all the additions to the milk etc., I know the children are getting larger tho, cannot keep up with them...and yes, school work is overloading them..our son spends hours helping our grandaughter out every evening..parents are really complaining a lot...I don't blame them !!!