The sudden demise of BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya takes me back in time to November 1991! It was the period when following cricket was still new to me. The first World Cup I would ever watch was months away; the first Indian Tour Down Under was round the corner. Cricket was new found love to this 12 year old and playing it was more fun than watching on television.
It was the period when I read a cricketing powerhouse called ‘South Africa’ would be returning to the sport after over two decades of imposed ban. India was to play three one-day internationals against the Proteas. First on November 10, second on November 12 and the final, a day-night game on November 14. It was also the first day-night game I would be watching on television.
Though India won the series 2-1, losing the day-night game! What comes fresh to my mind is the build up to the series. Jagmohan Dalmiya, then Secretary of BCCI stated that this would be a new beginning in the world of cricket and his professes proved true over the years.
Post this series, there have been many instances when I read how Dalmiya shaped Indian cricket to emerge into a force to reckon with. What fascinates me the most is how being an administrator Dalmiya unlocked the financial potential of the Indian Cricket Team or the Men In Blue. Incidentally, it is since 1992 that our cricketers are being called the Men In Blue!
Last year when N Srinivasan had to quit over corruption charges and Jagmohan Dalmiya bounced back to the top post at such late age; it indicated how passionate he was about the sport and how much the sport needed him when it was in a state of crisis.
Today when Dalmiya is no more and tussle is on to elected the new chief of BCCI, I only wish there is someone who could take the game forward in its true spirit!
strategysage 