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Journalism of Courage
The career of one of Indian cricket’s most passionate, spirited characters ended today when Javagal Srinath announced his retirement from the international game following a prolonged knee injury. Though his future plans are unclear, he hinted at setting up a bowling academy.
‘‘I have made an irrevocable decision,’’ Srinath, 34, told a press conference here. ‘‘I am completely done with first-class cricket.’’
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‘He was a team man’
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• He served Indian cricket for a long time and with distinction. It’s been a joy playing alongside him for so many years. Indian cricket, and the team in particular, will miss his services • I was quite surprised when I heard the news, I’d heard he wanted to tour Australia one more time. He was one of the fastest bowlers who ever played for India and one of the best opening fast bowlers who played the game • He was a total team man, never complaining about the kind of wickets or playing conditions. To have carried the burden of main strike bowler for more than a decade is something to be appreciated • After Kapil Dev, he was the best fast medium bowler we have had. He was a very hard-working and sincere cricketer. I wish he’d announced his decision after the Australia tour |
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The announcement comes two days before the Indian selectors are due to name the squad for a Test tour of Australia starting later this month. Srinath had recently said he would quit all cricket if he was unable to regain fitness for the Australia tour.
‘‘I wanted to go to Australia. The desire is still there. But sometimes desire alone can’t carry your body forward. I was playing at the highest level for well over a decade. Now, when injuries are getting chronic, it takes a long time to heal and you need the right level of fitness to play at the top level,’’ the bowler said.
Srinath had announced his retirement from Tests in June last year but came back after being persuaded by captain Saurav Ganguly to play in a home series against the West Indies in October. He then guided India to the one-day World Cup final, won by Australia in South Africa, in March this year. He has not played for his country since the World Cup because of the knee injury.
Referring to that defeat in the final, Srinath said: ‘‘I have no regrets about it. They (Australia) were the better side that day and we were completely outplayed.’’
The most memorable moments of his 12-year career, he said, were the meetings with Pakistan, and beating them in three World Cups. ‘‘India-Pakistan matches are always big events and when it is the World Cup, it is something more than that. It is the high point of my career’’, the Mysore Express said.
He praised captain Saurav Ganguly for his support at the end of his career. ‘‘Saurav made me appear (as a bowler) more than what I was,’’ Srinath said. ‘‘This is the sort of confidence one expects from a captain.’’
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The Srinath scorecard
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• Tests: 67 Story continues below this ad |
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Ganguly replied that the India team owed a debt of gratitude to the mild-mannered, undemonstrative fast bowler. ‘‘Srinath has served Indian cricket for a long time,’’ he said. ‘‘It is up to him to decide how his body is holding up.’’
What’s the next step? He said he hadn’t yet decided about future ventures. ‘‘I have just made this decision (on retirement) and I have no plans as of now. Somewhere down the line, I will seriously think of starting an academy for fast bowlers.’’
BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was also present, said, Srinath was set to begin his second innings — ‘‘as a coach, as a consultant, as a guide and continuing role-model for fast bowlers’’. He hoped that the bowler would come forward and guide Indian cricket. ‘‘A role for Srinath is being worked out.’’
Dalmiya said Srinath inspired bowlers to take up a career in fast bowling, adding, he was a role model for fast bowlers. ‘‘Indian cricket will always be grateful to Srinath,’’ he said.
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The mysore express
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• 1969: Born in Mysore (August 31) |
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SIX OF THE BEST
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• 6/21 vs South Africa Ahmedabad, Nov 1996 Story continues below this ad • 13/132 vs Pakistan Kolkata, feb 1999 • English County Season, 1995 • 30 vs Australia Bangalore, oct 1996 • World Cup 1999: 149.6 kmph Story continues below this ad • World Cup 2003: 16 wickets |
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