‘Ready to take charge’
Lifetime Achievement Award winner Vengsarkar says he is open to spotting fresh talent for India.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar was yesterday chosen for this year’s Colonel C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI.
In a chat with Mirror, former national chief selector spoke about the current Indian team, how T20 has changed the game and his willingness to take up responsibilities in spotting young talent again. Excerpts...
Congratulations on being chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award. How does it feel?
It’s an honor to receive the highest award for cricket in India. I would like to thank BCCI for considering me for this award. Feels great.
You were nicknamed Colonel almost four decades ago and this award is named after the same Colonel you were compared with when your started your career. An achievement in itself?
(Laughs) I don’t think I was anywhere close to our country’s first Test captain CK Nayudu. A commentator compared my style of play C K Nayudu in that particular innings and I got the nickname right from that day.
With BCCI being in the news for all wrong reasons, do you see a revolution happening in the nation body?
I can’t say much, as the matter is still sub-judice. Let the law take its course.
You have been focusing a lot on your three academies; you have a some special plans with it?
PCMC-Vengsarkar Varroc Academy is very close to my heart. The academy does not charge any fee. Spotting young talent has always been my forte. I was involved with BCCI’s Talent Research Development Committee for three years when my team spotted players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Suresh Raina and many more.
Your take on Kohli as a Indian captian?
Kohli was one of the picks during the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane way back in 2009. He is very focused and always hungry for more. His never-say-die attitude is something very admirable.
With Kohli scoring 21 centuries already and Rohit Sharma getting two double centuries and highest individual score in ODIs, what do you think has made the game fast scoring?
One thing that has changed over the years is the player’s kit. The bats have improved and scoring runs have become comparatively easy. I can say that with assurance as I tried my hands on the new bats. One can easily go for the big hits and even edges and nicks can get you boundaries and sixes.
What should be the area of focus while selecting a team or spotting the right kind of talent? Are you looking for an opportunity which involves Indian team selection?
Like I said, spotting talent has always been my forte and I would like to do that. Be it my academies, age group selection team or selection committee. If I have an offer, why not? In my view India A team should not have players older than 23 years. Players older than 23 years can try to get in through their respective state teams. Restricting younger players in India ‘A’ will give the players time to mature and ample comeback opportunities. I am ready to take up any responsibility if given an offer.
Winners: Polly Umrigar Award: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Dilip Vengsarkar, Lala Amarnath Award for best allrounder in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Parvez Rasool, Lala Amarnath award for best allrounder in domestic limited-overs tournaments: Vinay Kumar, Madhavrao Scindia Award for most runs in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Kedar Jadhav, Madhavrao Scindia Award for most wickets in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Rishi Dhawan, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best Under-25 cricketer: Rahul Tripathi, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best U-19 cricketer: B Anirudh, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best U-16 cricketer: Shubham Gill, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best woman cricketer: Smriti Mandhana, Best umpire in domestic cricket: Anil Chaudhary
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar was yesterday chosen for this year’s Colonel C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI.
In a chat with Mirror, former national chief selector spoke about the current Indian team, how T20 has changed the game and his willingness to take up responsibilities in spotting young talent again. Excerpts...
Congratulations on being chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award. How does it feel?
It’s an honor to receive the highest award for cricket in India. I would like to thank BCCI for considering me for this award. Feels great.
You were nicknamed Colonel almost four decades ago and this award is named after the same Colonel you were compared with when your started your career. An achievement in itself?
(Laughs) I don’t think I was anywhere close to our country’s first Test captain CK Nayudu. A commentator compared my style of play C K Nayudu in that particular innings and I got the nickname right from that day.
With BCCI being in the news for all wrong reasons, do you see a revolution happening in the nation body?
I can’t say much, as the matter is still sub-judice. Let the law take its course.
You have been focusing a lot on your three academies; you have a some special plans with it?
PCMC-Vengsarkar Varroc Academy is very close to my heart. The academy does not charge any fee. Spotting young talent has always been my forte. I was involved with BCCI’s Talent Research Development Committee for three years when my team spotted players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Suresh Raina and many more.
Your take on Kohli as a Indian captian?
Kohli was one of the picks during the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane way back in 2009. He is very focused and always hungry for more. His never-say-die attitude is something very admirable.
With Kohli scoring 21 centuries already and Rohit Sharma getting two double centuries and highest individual score in ODIs, what do you think has made the game fast scoring?
One thing that has changed over the years is the player’s kit. The bats have improved and scoring runs have become comparatively easy. I can say that with assurance as I tried my hands on the new bats. One can easily go for the big hits and even edges and nicks can get you boundaries and sixes.
What should be the area of focus while selecting a team or spotting the right kind of talent? Are you looking for an opportunity which involves Indian team selection?
Like I said, spotting talent has always been my forte and I would like to do that. Be it my academies, age group selection team or selection committee. If I have an offer, why not? In my view India A team should not have players older than 23 years. Players older than 23 years can try to get in through their respective state teams. Restricting younger players in India ‘A’ will give the players time to mature and ample comeback opportunities. I am ready to take up any responsibility if given an offer.
Winners: Polly Umrigar Award: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Dilip Vengsarkar, Lala Amarnath Award for best allrounder in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Parvez Rasool, Lala Amarnath award for best allrounder in domestic limited-overs tournaments: Vinay Kumar, Madhavrao Scindia Award for most runs in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Kedar Jadhav, Madhavrao Scindia Award for most wickets in Ranji Trophy 2013-14: Rishi Dhawan, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best Under-25 cricketer: Rahul Tripathi, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best U-19 cricketer: B Anirudh, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best U-16 cricketer: Shubham Gill, MA Chidambaram Trophy for best woman cricketer: Smriti Mandhana, Best umpire in domestic cricket: Anil Chaudhary
