Cricket speak: Veteran vs rookie

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Mushtaq Ali speaks:</span> It is great to know that the BCCI is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee with a match against Pakistan in Kolkata. I can’t help but get a bit nostalgic on this special occasion. The BCCI was, after all, born in front of my eyes. <br /><br />Those were the days when <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Rajas</span> and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Maharajas</span> used to run the game.Then came the Parsees. Ranji Trophy was introduced much later. We used to play in the Pentangular and Quadrangular where the competition used to be fierce. Most of the matches were played on matting wickets.<br /><br />I still remember the 1934 series versus England at home. Lalaji hit a century in the first Test in Bombay. I was not selected for that game. I made my debut in the second Test at Calcutta. Ironically, I was picked as a slow left-arm bowler and not a frontline batsman. I, however, justified my inclusion in the team by dismissing captain Douglas Jardine. <br /><br />Eden Gardens has always been a special venue for me. Having played in the local league, I had lot of fans there. My century against the West Indies at the Eden ranks among one of my best efforts. <br /><br />People say the game has changed. May be it has. Money is a big factor. We used to get paid Rs 350 per Test in those days which was not bad, but it’s nothing compared to what a cricketer earns these days. We played for our pride and our motto was to entertain the public. Nayudusaheb used to say that we must do something special for the fans in the galleries so that they talk about your performance. <br /><br />I have always admired the way Sunil Gavaskar batted. The manner in which he stood up to quality fast bowlers and scored tons of runs speaks volumes for the man’s technique and tenacity. <br /><br />Whatever cricket I have played, it was because of Col CK Nayaudusaheb. The Maharaja of Holkar had a keen interest in the game and when he wanted a put together a team, he turned to Nayudusaheb who was posted there at that time. <br /><br />The Holkar team won the Ranji Trophy four times and on six occasions we were runners-up. Colonel <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">saheb</span> was a stalwart. Playing under him was an education. Then there was Professor DB Deodhar and LP Jai. Great cricketers and greater human beings. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">(As told to Sumit Mukherjee)</span><br /><br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Dinesh Kaarthick speaks:</span> My earliest memories of watching cricket were as an eight-year-old. I watched Sachin Tendulkar score a brilliant hundred at Chepauk against England in 1993. I think it was his first on home soil then. I remember him going from 88 to 100 with three boundaries off Devon Malcolm and my home crowd cheering wildly. <br /><br />I have been wanting to play cricket for India ever since. I think Sachin by performing so well on international stage at such a young age inspired many young cricketers in India to take up the game seriously. It’s a humbling experience to think that 11-years later, I am sharing the dressing room with the legend.<br /> <br />Coming from a traditional middle-class South Indian family, the importance of education was always stressed upon. But I must thank my parents who allowed me to pursue my dream and to make a career of my choice. It was a thrilling experience to be a part of, first a strong Tamil Nadu side and then the Indian U-19 side. I feel happy that I have graduated by playing every level of cricket- state, under-19, India A and now the senior side. <br /><br />To make my debut at Lord’s (Natwest ODI Series in September) was a divine feeling. That we went on to win the game and I stumped the dangerous looking Michael Vaughan makes me feel that I contributed. I was disappointing with the bat though and I must admit that the occasion, venue and its history got to me. <br /><br />Making my Test debut (at Mumbai vs Australia, November) was a bigger occasion. It means everything to play Test cricket for my country and although the series was lost, I’m proud to be a part of the Test win. I was nervous then too as there was a lot of debate about my selection and we were playing an upbeat Aussie side. But I was also thrilled as I could watch my idol Adam Gilchrist from close quarters. It was an emotional win and a hard fought Test.<br /><br />People are say I’m a lucky mascot as India have won both the One-dayers and the only Test when I was part of the eleven. I think it is coincidence. We won not because of luck, but pluck and team work.<br /><br />I know we didn’t play to our potential against the Australians but the Mumbai win has given the side a lot of confidence and I can see good things around the corner for the Jubilee match against Pakistan and the series against South Africa. <br /><br />With Ganguly and Irfan Pathan coming back, we will be at full strength and it’s only a matter of time before good things begin to happen again.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">(As told to Nitin Naik)</span></div> </div>