The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : I will give my best: Borde

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Thursday, Jun 14, 2007
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I will give my best: Borde

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Chandu Borde, cricket manager designate for the long tour of Ireland and England, doesn't like commentators resorting to unfair scoff, pointing out his age — he will turn 73 on July 21 — and that his appointment would not take Indian cricket forward. "I don't know why people are so serious about my age. By god's grace, I'm fit and do not miss my morning walk. Moreover, I am always in touch with the game," said Borde.

Borde — who has played club cricket in England for thirteen years from 1965, competed against England with official Indian teams and travelled as coach with the India under-19 and under-17 teams to that country — looks forward to pass tips to the young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla in the limited time he will get in Ireland.

Career

Donning the India cap, Borde played 55 Tests between 1958 and 1969, scored 3061 runs, and also bagged 52 wickets bowling leg-spin. "Well, I have taken 331 first class wickets. Two years ago I was in Kanpur and had the opportunity to see Chawla in action in the camp for juniors. He looked very promising and he has gradually improved since then. I am glad that I would get another chance to help him progress further.

"I have spent enough time with the seniors in the present Indian team, which is very talented. I will give my best shot and impart knowledge to the best of my ability during the tour," said Borde, who can claim to be a virtuoso with his ability to judge conditions and the pitch. He was in charge of preparing the pitch for first class and international matches at the Nehru Stadium, Pune for many years.

Positive side

Borde saw a positive side in a virtually raw seam-attack for the three-Test series against England. Zaheer Khan leads the five-man pace pack with 47 Tests, while Sreesanth has played eight Tests, R.P. Singh four and Ishant Sharma just one. Ranadeb Bose is a tyro. "Well, they are very talented and will get opportunities and exposure in England."

Without exaggerating, Borde said Ramesh Powar is a fine off-break bowler. "He has the knack of delivering with a loop and appears to be brainy."

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