Former India captain and BCCI President, who recently completed 20 years in International Cricketrevealed that the fateful day at Lord’s where he scored a century on Test debut. Dada spoke to Star Sports and said how fielding first helped him calm down.
“Not many people get to play their first Test at Lord’s and I remember fielding at that time – a packed stadium at Lord’s. And it’s always been a pleasant hunting ground for me – every time I’ve gone back since my debut. I was surprised to walk down the long room on the first day and luckily we fielded. Otherwise, as a batsman, I had to bat at number three. I got 100 on Saturday, which is probably the best day for Test cricket, with every seat full. It was my Test debut and I wanted to reach 100. They say it can’t get better and the mindset of that Test match was remarkable.”
He also said how Sachin Tendulkar came to him at tea time and asked him to have a cup of tea as the southeast was getting jittery.
“Like you said, you get cheers for every shot you hit on the back-stands and then finishing on 100 at tea time was special. I remember, during tea, I was batting at 100 and I was mentally exhausted – more than physical – because, first 100, the emotions, the joy, the heights exhaust you too. I was applying tape around the handle of the bat as it started to soften due to the bounce and the ball hitting the top of the handle. I remember Sachin came to me and said – you relax, have a cup of tea. So, I remember those moments when I went to the dressing room and everyone stood outside the dressing room cheering me on because of my achievement.”
Dada became the captain of the Indian cricket team and helped it win Test matches in Australia, England and Pakistan.
“The whole journey, getting a 100 at Lord’s, debuting in 1996. Then in a few years, captaining India, building a team – maybe people rated as good as someone in the world with successes. Then handing over the captaincy to someone and still being a part of the match-winning journey and watching the national team grow, becoming a force around the world – that started under your captaincy. And then being in an administrative role trying to change the game. I feel very fortunate that during my tenure as a President, India won a remarkable series 2-1 in Australia. It has been a wonderful journey and as a player, as a cricketer, you cannot expect anything better than this.
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