'There is a lot of politics in the MCA'

Former Mumbai and India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar is contesting for the vice-president's post of the Mumbai Cricket Association after a gap of six years. 'The Colonel's' contribution to Indian cricket is commendable. He was Wisden's 'Cricketer of the Year' in 1987, and, indeed, his records say it all: 116 Tests, 6,500 runs, at an average of 42.13, with his highest being 166.

Vengsarkar speaks to Harini Rana about the state of cricket at the junior level on the eve of the biennial elections of the MCA, at his Elf Cricket Academy.

What are the changes you are looking at? What is in your priority list while fighting for the vice-president's post of the Mumbai Cricket Association?

I am contesting due to the rapid decline in Mumbai cricket at school, college and club levels. I think the standard has to improve. We have to create a very good infrastructure; that is very important at these levels. We should have more matches and have inter-office tournaments so that jobs can be created. Ground conditions and the wickets have to improve. I think we will have to coach the coaches. So, then, coaching will be same everywhere. And we will get some coaches from Australia to coach the coaches. We will have developed grounds in the suburbs also, because a lot of players are coming from the suburbs to south Mumbai to play; they waste valuable time. So, we have to improve grounds and infrastructure in the suburbs.

The merger (Pravin Barve and Halbe group) a week before the elections. Does it affect the Bal Mahaddalkar group in any way?

It won't really affect us and we are not bothered about this merger. We have got a good blend of cricketers who are good administrators. They are all competent, honest and very good guys. It won't really affect us at all.

There has been a lot of talk about the maidans...,  what is the MCA looking at by undertaking maidans in the suburbs?

The grounds have to improve, plus the wickets at all these maidans are very poor. And it shows the entire administration in poor light. Honestly, it is a great sign that they are undertaking maidans in the suburbs. There is a lot of talent in the suburbs; even in my Elf Academy, 60-70 per cent of the students come from places like Thane, Bhiwandi and Vasai. So, if you can develop some good grounds over there, I am sure we can help develop good cricketers out there.

It's been six years since you last contested for the same post. What went wrong that time?

The last time, I stood for the elections as an independent candidate. This time I am with this group and am sure this will definitely help.

Why is it that in cricket politicians have all the top positions and are larger in the day to day handling than cricketers themselves?

I think, mainly, because they are good administrators. I think it will definitely help us. MCA has Sharad Pawar. In the last two years his performance has been absolutely brilliant and he has helped the association in so many respects.

But don't cricketers understand the game better? Will they not be able to do a better job?

Pawar has formed a committee -- Cricket Improvement Committee [CIC] -- and given the powers to the committee with regards to the cricketing matters; he looks after the administration.

What is the CIC and how does it function?

Their main aim is to see that the game improves in the city. They take decisions to see cricket improve and prosper in the city. It has been of great help to the MCA, but there a lot of decisions that are not implemented. There is a lot politics in the MCA, which is very unfortunate. Some of the people standing for elections this year... they are actually responsible for that.

They take decisions and these people at the MCA cannot implement the decisions. They are against the CIC. They think they have taken all the powers away. Politics in selecting and appointing coaches. And there are a lot of other things as well. I think if our entire panel is selected it will be much easier to work without any problems.

What seems to be the reason for Mumbai cricket not doing well?

It is because of politics. All these people out there should go; those who have been exposed over there, I think they should go from the MCA.

Being a selection committee chairman at the MCA and with humungous amount of cricketing experience, what stops you from becoming a part of the national selection committee?

Well, the last time it was my turn to become a national selector but the MCA did not propose my name; this is again the MCA politics-business nexus at work.

Do you think Indian coaches are up to the mark?

We will have to get coaches from Australia who can train our coaches. They can take their exams and upgrade them as far as knowledge is concerned, so that we can get coaches at the same level. What happens is, a schoolboy comes to my academy, then goes to school and then there is another coach who tells him something else. He, then, goes and plays at All-India level and there is another coach who says something completely different; the boy is confused. We have to train coaches.

Are you saying foreign coaches are better than Indian coaches?

No, no, I am not saying that. There are some who take exams and they train coaches as well. They are not better but more professional. Both are equally good, but the foreigners are more professional.

Does India have good coaches? If you see, the Indian team's performance was dismal under Indian coaches, and under Wright there has been a revival?

Well, it depends how the team plays; that is very important. The team now is at its best, and also world-class. When India lost to Australia under Kapil [Dev] as coach, everyone thought Kapil was a bad coach. That is not fair. India's brilliant performance right now is mainly due to the players, and the coach is there only to guide the players; they have to perform on the ground.

Would you like to take up coaching the side?

Yeah, I would love to. But, again, it is up to the board. If they want to continue with John Wright that is fair enough, but I will be ready to take up the job if they wish.

Do you feel the need for a separate bowling coach for India?

Yeah, I think so it definitely helps having a bowling coach; it is a technical job. If they find one good coach I am sure it will definitely help the bowling.

What are your expectations from the biennial elections?

We are very confident and have received an excellent response. The entire panel has an excellent report.