Tom Alters speaks up about his special connection with Hyderabad

Cricket coach, journalist, writer, actor and playwright, Tom Alter is a man of many talents but few words. In a chat with Hyderabad Times the 66-year-old Padma Shri awardee shares his special connection with city, its people and why he thinks ML Jaisimha is a better batsman than Azhar and Laxman.
You’ve performed a lot in Hyderabad; you must like performing here…
Oh yes, I must have done at least 25-30 shows in Hyderabad.I’ve been coming to Hyderabad for many years now. The audience here is receptive and that’s what we theatre artistes look out for. It’s the third time I’m performing for the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival here. I performed here for the first time about eight years ago and have known Mohammad Ali Baig for some time now.
What is your fondest memory of the city?
The first time I came here was when I was child. It was a school tour, and I fell in love with the city. Thriving, vibrant, artistic, majestic, fantastic — these are the words that can best describe this city. But I remember this place more because of cricket. Hyderabad has one of the best centres for cricket in the country. I love cricket and I used to come to Hyderabad to play cricket often. I was 16 when I played my first match in Hyderabad. (Becoming pensive) Interesting days they were …
As a cricket expert, who according to you is the best batsman Hyderabad has produced — Jaisimha, Azharuddin or Laxman?
My favourite is Jaisimha. He is one of the finest batsman the country has ever produced. My fondest memory of him dates back to the 1967-68 India tour of Australia. Jaisimha wasn’t part of the original team that was selected. He was flown in as a replacement for the injured BS Chandrasekhar after the Indian team suffered a humiliating loss in the second test match. Jaisimha arrived the night before the 3rd test and he scored 74 and 101 without as much as a practice net session. Which was phenomenal. He was not only a great great cricketer, but an all-rounder too. Stylish by nature, he was a very attractive batsman, and a very interesting man. He had been an inspiration for many cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar.
You seem like one of those rare celebs who know more about Hyderabad than just its biryani…
Saying I love Hyderabad because of its biriyani is like saying I like Srinagar because of Delhi. Hyderabadi biryani is simply fantastic no doubt, but it’s the Hyderabadis who make the city worth remembering. The people of the city have somehow retained their simplicity and are not so complicated.