Dada will do wonders for Indian cricket, endorses VRV Singh

Dada will do wonders for Indian cricket, endorses VRV Singh

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From being a lethal pacer for Punjab to being Chandigarh's first coach, Vikram Raj Vir Singh has made this transition look easy. Looking back at the third Test match of his career in 2006, VRV shared his experience batting with Sourav Ganguly, who was making his comeback in international cricket.

“I consider myself fortunate to have played for India and shared the dressing room with some of the greatest names in the game,” Vikram Raj Vir Singh, known as VRV, said on his day of retirement from all forms of the game. Indeed he did during that era and shared a memorable partnership with current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, what would end up being his highest score in Test cricket. 

That innings against South Africa in Johannesburg was all the more special not just because that it helped steer India towards a 123-run victory, but also because the former Indian captain had made his return to international cricket after the Greg Chappell debacle. Batting with Ganguly in his comeback Test against South Africa, wherein he played a crucial role with his 51 not out, VRV contributed a 19-ball 29. 

Speaking to SportsCafe, the paceman/tailender shared his experience of that day hence revealing how special it was. 

“That was a memorable match for us. All Indian team and, I guess, for all India also. I remember that day, Dada was playing around 43 or 44 when I went to the crease. There was only one instruction by Dada to me: ‘play your normal game’, which gave me quite a lot of confidence in scoring those 29 runs,” said VRV. 

“And Dada also scored fifty. It was a very tough wicket on that day, very seamer-friendly. I have very fond memories of batting with Dada and winning the Test match. That partnership was a crucial one. So it is a cheerful memory. 

“Growing up, Dada was a role model for us. So while batting along with him, I just followed the instructions he gave as the as senior partner and scored 29 runs,” he added. 

At that point of time, the entire set of dynamics was speculated to be changed due to all the ruckus circling the Chappell-Ganguly saga. However, Dada’s fifty and his quickfire innings had made the Indian dressing room vibe a really positive one, so shares VRV. 

“The Test match ended in 4 days. The dressing room was cheered up after our crucial partnership for the last wicket on a tough wicket, and we’d managed to put up a good score. And we bowled South Africa out for 84, so we had the upper hand from ball one in that match. So the dressing room atmosphere was very warm,” he said.

The ‘Dadi’ factor

VRV Singh throws light on the relationship that ‘Dadi’ shared with his juniors. “See, I’d already met Dada a few times before that as well. I’d been called up to the Indian camp in 2003, while he was captain, and I had also played a few domestic matches against him. He used to always encourage me by telling me that I just had to keep working hard as I would play for India one day. Moreover, Dada had a very good relationship with the youngsters at that time. We used to bowl against him, play matches against and along with him. It was always good.”

Coming to the much-disputed Rahul Dravid-Sourav Ganguly bond at that time, VRV revealed that it was not quite what people think. 

“The bond between Rahul Bhai and Sourav Bhai was like two brothers. All the senior players in our time were very good and encouraging. Sachin paaji, Rahul Bhai, Dada, Kumble, Laxman were all very supportive. It was a friendly relationship between Dada and Rahul. They were like brothers, I guess, because they knew each other from so long. Playing along with them was always a privilege,” he adds.

Now that Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as BCCI President, VRV believes he can channel his leadership skills into doing wonders for Indian cricket. 

“Definitely, a very good thing for Indian cricket. I know Dada will do wonders for Indian cricket. He has already said that he will do his ultimate best for cricket in India. So I wish him great luck.”

While the 35-year-old cricketer from Chandigarh, who announced his retirement in March, had a career scarred by injury troubles, his transitioning from player to coach in a few months’ time was rather smooth. On his day of retirement, he was already clear in his mind about being a coach. “I want to be involved with the game as a coach. I have learnt lessons which I would like to share with the youngsters.” 

Now that Sourav Ganguly is president, he thinks it’s beneficial for Chandigarh. “The first thing he said after getting into this new role is that he’ll do more for domestic cricket and that’s what he has been doing always, he was always supporting everyone. Before me, Yuvraj, Kaif, Zaheer, Nehra, and Harbhajan were all Dada’s finds. So, definitely it was only about India for him.”

"He had already mentioned in his first interview that he wanted to look after domestic cricket and domestic-level players. So he must already have a plan in his mind on how to provide better financial support and take the level of cricket one step higher. Being the coach of the Chandigarh team, it’s great news that first-class cricket is a priority in Dada’s mind. For now, l just send my greetings to Dada for becoming the president of the BCCI. I don’t think anybody needs to tell him what to do because he already knows what’s best for Indian cricket."

As a change of fate for Chandigarh, the team will be participating in Ranji Trophy for the first time and VRV is thrilled to be the coach of such a promising team.

“Our team has started well, winning 6 out of 9 games. But overall, I was very happy because we had also won against good teams like Uttarakhand and Assam. Now Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament is starting and a full season of Ranji Trophy to follow, we are preparing, our camp for T20s in a couple of days time. We are looking forward to this season, our boys are very keen and are working hard.

"Even the UTCA is very helpful for the players. It is very important that the players get respected and all the support from them. This is a nice thing and we are looking forward to the next season. In junior cricket as well, Chandigarh U-19 team is doing very well. Women’s cricket is doing well. So Chandigarh, in all age groups and categories, is doing well.”  

Speaking about his transition from player to coach, which he believes was a “good” one, VRV said, “I was very thankful to UTCA for talking to me and giving me the opportunity when Chandigarh became affiliated. And I was already ready for it as I was convinced that I had to get into coaching, because I wanted to stay on the ground. Now my job is to motivate players and get the best out of them. And I am hopeful of leading our team into the Elite Group in Ranji Trophy in the coming days,” he signed off.

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