Diplomacy was the watchword, says Polly Umrigar

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">MUMBAI, Feb 20:</span> Polly Umrigar was the star of the first Indian team that toured Pakistan in 1955. He topped the tour batting averages.<br /><br />Plus he was the only Indian to hit a hundred in the Tests, at Peshawar in the fourth Test. All five Tests were drawn.When his memory was tickled about the tour on Friday, Polly sounded a little apprehensive because of failing memory. <br /><br />But on some prodding the thoughts came back. He said: "The BCCI president, Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (Vizzy) told us plainly before we boarded the train: ''Just play the game, don''t question umpiring decisions, just walk off when given out''."<br /><br />Umrigar adds: "Maintaining good relations was the agenda. It was the first time we were touring. Our players never shouted on the field, there were no strong appeals. Then as now, there was a fear psychosis about touring an unfriendly country." <br /><br />"Some were scared to go. We were not scared. There was security. When we went to a cinema there would cops all around us. But we came back having enjoyed ourselves thoroughly." <br /><br />Umrigar said there was a marked difference in hospitality as they moved northwards. "The south was not so friendly. Lala (Amarnath, the manager) was very popular because he came from those parts. So much so that when we reached Lahore there were people taking us to some homes and pointing out ''these are yours'' - homes from where the Hindus had fled during Partition''."<br /><br /><formid=367815><br /><br /></formid=367815></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />Umrigar''s stories of Pakistani hospitality were touching. "Rickshawallahs would not take money from Indians. They used to say <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hamare bhai aaye hain</span> (Our brothers have come) about Indian fans who came to Lahore to watch the Test match."<br /><br />The warmth was there at the grounds as well, says Umrigar. "There was no hooting by the crowds, no jeering. Yes, when we hit a four there wasn''t the ovation that Indians will give a Pakistani batsman touring here. But we didn''t mind." <br /><br />Asked about the late Gulbrai Ramchand''s statement that the team had to live in railway bogeys, Umrigar scratched his memory and said, "I think that was in Lyallpur. Things were not developed then - maybe they didn''t have hotels. But in other cities there were good hotels."<br /><br />Umrigar said cricket tended to be boring. "Both the teams didn''t want to lose. But it wasn''t a heated atmosphere." <br /><br />Finally about his own golden streak, Umrigar said "Some countries are lucky for some players. With me, it was West Indies and Pakistan. No matter who bowled - Hall, Gilchrist or Griffith I got the runs. It''s like Laxman. He feasts on Aussie bowling. I would put him ahead of Dravid in batting on the last tour." <br /><br />What should India do on this tour? "We must ensure only the fit bowlers go out there. Irfan Pathan had a good tour of Australia because he got good bounce from the Australian pitches. Will he get the same purchase there? If he doesn''t then he will struggle. Our bowlers have suffered wear and tear and that part has to be looked at. I am not worried about the batsmen, we can bat down to seven. But the bowling attack has to be handled with care."<br /><br /><formid=367815></formid=367815></div> </div>