Rediff On The NeT: I am one of the top three keepers in the world


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June 6, 1997

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DEAR REDIFF

I am one of the top three keepers in the world

Haresh Pandya

In the midst of all the hype and hoopla about fading - and emerging - stars on the Indian cricket scene, attention has been diverted from one quiet individual who has, from February 1996 to May 1997, gone about his business with quiet competence.

Or maybe competence is the wrong word - increasingly, the performance of Nayan Ramlal Mongia has drawn plaudits from critics and commentators alike. Ian Chappell and Geoff Boycott both rate him one of the best keepers in the world today, and there haven't been too many dissenting voices to that assessment.

The man has a knack of silencing his detractors, time and again. In 1993 he was dropped, along with Manoj Prabhakar, for slow scoring in a one day international against the West Indies. He shrugged that off, and went on to become one of the few automatic selections in the side.

During the 1996-1997 tour of South Africa, it was Mongia again who came under fire for failing to respond to a call for a single, and getting Mohammad Azharuddin run out in a key ODI. Again he was dropped - and his response was a gem of an innings in the first Cable and Wireless Test at Kingston in Jamaica - a timely 78 against the likes of Ambrose, Bishop, Walsh and debutante Franklyn Rose, firing on all cylinders.

It was a crucial knock. Also, an inspirational one, because it laid to rest the bogey of the West Indian pace battery, and lifted the performance of the team in the rest of the season save for one session of pure madness in the Barbados Test.

Mongia spoke to Rediff about the Caribbean tour, and other key moments of his career. Excerpts:

It was your first tour of the Caribbean. How did it go for you personally?

It was a very important tour for me. And I was very keen to do well there, after my good performance in South Africa. I particularly wanted to erase the bad memories of the Azharuddin run out episode which, I must add, was blown out of all proportions especially after I had apologised publicly despite it being one of those things that happens in the heat of the moment. And I am glad I did reasonably well there and cemented my place in the team.

You started the tour on a high note with that innings of 78 in the first Test...

Yes, it was a good feeling to be able to make an early impact on the tour. I have never underestimated my batting ability, and I think it was one of the finest innings I've played in my short career so far. It was almost like the one (80 in the first innings) I played against the same opponents in the Mumbai Test in 1994.

Were you disappointed at missing a well-deserved century?

Yes, I was. But then, it was also gratifying that it helped India save the follow-on and eventually do well in the Test. Such fifties are sometimes more important and valuable than even centuries and double centuries. I am happy I've already played a couple of them.

How was it like, facing the West Indian fast bowlers after playing against Allan Donald and company?

Of course, none of the West Indian fast bowlers compared to Donald in pace - but it should be mentioned that the Windies quicks are far more experienced, more cunning and more crafty, particularly Ambrose. Luckily for us, the wickets in the Caribbean were not as fast and bouncy as the ones in South Africa. And that I think was reflected in India's generally good performance with the bat almost throughout the tour, though Azharuddin's personal form was a bit of a disappointment.

You didn't mention Franklyn Rose...

Oh, he was a revelation. He really surprised us with his bounce, pace and swing in the first Test. He was the find of the series for the West Indians. It won't be too long before he spearheads the West Indian attack, considering that Ambrose, Walsh and Bishop are not getting any younger. Rose has a bright future. In fact, if they find a couple more young fast bowlers like him, the West Indies will start dominating world cricket again, I'm sure.

What went wrong in the Barbados Test, when India was chasing a modest victory target?

It was a very difficult wicket to bat on. Also, full credit must be given to the West Indian bowlers and fielders, they were exceptional. And Lara was brilliant as captain during that particular session, when nothing went right for us. In fact, we all were confident of winning the Test with time and wickets to spare. Unfortunately, it was not to be. What we needed was one patient innings from one of our front-line batsmen.It was undoubtedly a great victory for the West Indies, considering they were actually facing defeat.

Azharuddin, one of the key batsmen in the side, could not get his act together on the tour, not even once. What do you think the problem was?

I can't comment on that. But then, such lean periods do come along in the careers of great players. I think Azharuddin has been passing through a lean patch, but I am also pretty sure he will bounce back with a bang. It's only a matter of time and rest.

Do you think the weight of captaincy is affecting Sachin Tendulkar's performance with the bat?

It's a difficult question, I am not in a position to answer it. But it is not fair to read too much in Tendular's inconsistent performance with the bat, as you put it. He has had several good innings to his credit even after becoming captain, and I'm sure you haven't seen anywhere near the last of him as batsman. He is too great a player to be affected by any pressure.

How do you view India's performance in the Independence Cup cricket tournament?

I am sure you will agree that we did not do badly at all. In fact, even when we lost to Pakistan in that key fixture in Chennai, it was after a gallant fight. Against Sri Lanka, we ran into Sanath Jayasuriya, who was the batsman of the tournament. And against Pakistan, it was Saeed Anwar all the way. You know what happens when such hard-hitting batsmen are in full flow. I think that with a bit of luck we could have beaten Pakistan in Chennai, considering the way Dravid, Ganguly and Kambli played.

Still, it must have been disappointing not to be in the finals of the Independence Cup - something would have put the whole nation in celebratory mood?

Of course it is true that we were very disappointed. I, for one, would like to apologise to my countrymen who had pinned such hopes on us, and supported us to the hilt. I must, however, say that taking into account their performances, both Sri Lanka and Pakistan deserved to be in the finals. And full credit to the Sri Lankans for winning the Independence Cup because they were outstanding in batting, bowling and fielding.

You've had a hectic season that's taken you all over the world. So now you must be enjoying the break?

Yes, we desperately needed a break. We have been playing constantly since the Kiwis were here in late 1995. I am convinced the rest will do a world of good to all of us. As you probably know, I didn't get to spend even a day with my wife and family after marriage - we left on the South Africa tour immediately after the wedding. And even the ceremony was rushed, because of lack of time. Yes, the break has come at the right time, all of us have been feeling pretty jaded.

At this stage, how do you assess your career?

I think I've been doing better and better in every successive season. I've been in international cricket for almost five years now, and I think I've established myself in the team now - although I must hasten to add that I never take my place in the side for granted. My performance in the West Indies, both behind and in front of the wickets, has come in for much appreciation from those whose comments count. And that was very heartening. It is this that will give me the incentive to do even better when the next season gets underway.

Do you think you are at the peak of your powers at this point?

That is for the critics and fans to decide. Personally, with all due modesty, I would suppose I must be one of the three best wicketkeepers in the world today. Only Ian Healy, decidedly the world's number one wicketkeeper, Dave Richardson and myself are regular members of our respective teams, and have a record of consistency. I am fit, young and have many years of good cricket left in me. I think my best is yet to come.

Earlier, we talked of your batting in the Caribbean. Do you think your batting, coupled with your keeping, is the reason for your automatic selection? In other words, would you be a sure bet for the team if you weren't as good a batsman as you are?

Sure, why not? What's wrong with my wicketkeeping? Even if you forget my batting, I am still the best wicketkeeper in the country today. And mind you, there are enough and more keepers around, good ones - I hold my place by virtue of being better than the competition. True, my batting is a bonus, but you will have to admit that my keeping both in South Africa and in the Caribbean has been near flawless.

You seem to be the team's favourite stop gap opener - do you relish opening the innings?

Yes, I do, most definitely. I particularly enjoy opening in Tests, it calls for a lot of concentration, determination and patience. Plus guts. I have proved myself also as a one-day opener. Frankly, I am ready to bat anywhere in the order. I have sometimes sacrificed my wicket for my team's cause, especially when going for strokes in one-dayers at crucial junctures.

Nayan Mongia's career record:

TESTS (including 17/04/1997) M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Batting 25 37 2 989 152 28.25 1 3 61 4 ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS (including 21/05/1997) M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Batting 74 48 16 661 69 20.65 - 1 61 23