I had heard horrid tales of Indian cricket in the olden days, when it was said that fielders would drop catches simply because bowlers were not from their zone, and would pick up the wickets and shine. I cannot vouch for the veracity of this, but as an Indian I could believe this was possible.

By 1983, Indian cricket had outgrown such narrow regional sentiments. The modern giants seemed greater, because they had a huge public image and following. I know for a fact that the two giants were such great players that they would give everything on the field, but off it, they may have difference of opinion over many issues or points. However, what mattered most, as far as I was concerned, was that these differences should not effect that overall morale, or the performance of the team. Like all human beings, there is bound to be a difference of opinion. Otherwise one would not be an individual. And when these differences of opinion are discussed in a healthy manner and at the end of it concludes in the best interest of the team, the team as a whole benefits by the opinion and experience of great players like Kapil and Sunil.

Throughout the campaign, I did not have any selection problems. I was the chairman of the Tour Selection Committee, with Kapil as captain and Jimmy Amarnath as the vice-captain being the other members. I had decided that I would not interfere with anything that went on as far as cricket was concerned. Both Kapil and Jimmy were experienced and senior members of the team, and they would always fall on the views of Sunil while formulating strategies. If I had an opinion I would convey the same to the captain to ponder on, but left the final decision to him. After all he was going to face the music on the field.

India was participating in the World Cup, every member of the team was conscious about this and Kapil and Sunil were no exception. Thus, each one had to give off their best.

Sunil had declared himself unfit for the match against Australia at Trent Bridge, and had also missed out the match against the West Indies at The Oval. It was in this match against the Windies at The Oval that Dilip Vengsarkar suffered an injury and, thus, for the following game against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells, Sunil was to play. It would have been easy only if Kapil had gone upto the champion opener, told him that he was in the eleven, that India needed his services and the best that he could give. Instead, I understand that it was left to a journalist to inform Sunil about the eleven, since Kapil was going in to toss. Sometimes we fail in human relationships, rather than in principles. Had Kapil left it to me, I would have informed Sunil and the mood might have been much better.

Sunil's dismissal in the very first over may be attributed to the fact that he may not have been mentally prepared to open the innings and may have been upset at the last minute information about his inclusion in the playing eleven.

I was really glad that the selection matters went rather smoothly after Sunil was back in the side. With Vengsarkar being injured in the match against West Indies, and Sunil Valson thought of only as a reserve fast bowler, there was only one player who had really to be left out. At that stage of his career, Ravi Shastri was not a senior and an automatic member of the one-day team, and his exclusion meant that picking the XI was an easy task.

What pleased me most was that these are such great players and human beings that they did not let their mood spoil the tour. They did not come up with camps and things like that, which might have affected other teams if it had two such powerful personalities. For India, both fought together for a common cause and that was to see India win.

Extract from: Victory Insight

Published by: Theodore Braganza for The Marine Sports