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His winning ways

Karnataka wicketkeeper Somashekar Shiraguppi, a true sportsman and team player, has decided to hang up his gloves

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.

REFLECTIONS Somashekar Shiraguppi: `I thought I did a good job as a wicket-keeper but as a batsman I could have done more'

In the '90s, when Karnataka had its halcyon days in the Ranji Trophy, notching up three championship triumphs, a gritty wicketkeeper was an integral part of the team's dream run. "Well done, Shiroo," used to be a regular chant from his teammates as Somashekar Shiraguppi displayed a safe pair of hands behind the wicket, as also a stout heart and a solid bat to often steer the State out of trouble.

And when Shiraguppi issued a press release last week to announce his retirement, it was typical of the man — low-key and understated. It was also a total contrast to the feisty demeanour he donned on the field, with the odd aside to needle rival batsmen thrown in for good measure. But the former wicket-keeper was always like that, tough competitor on the field but once stumps were drawn, he was back to his usual self with a little smile playing on his lips, swapping anecdotes with his team-mates, Dodda Ganesh and Vijay Bharadwaj.

The debut

Shiraguppi's first-class career began with a Ranji Trophy debut against Hyderabad at Bijapur in the 1994-95 season. He played 41 matches — inclusive of Ranji, Duleep and Irani Trophy — scoring 1206 runs and snapped 92 catches, and effected 19 stumpings. Those numbers could have been more but with the state selectors plumping for Thilak Naidu, Shiraguppi was sidelined.

"I was told by the selectors that they wanted to give a youngster like Thilak a chance," Shiraguppi recalls without any trace of rancour. Thilak was then touted to go all the way and play for India, especially since he was also an accomplished bat. However as fate would have it, Thilak never got a chance despite figuring in an India-probables camp once.

Shiraguppi then turned out for Goa briefly for four matches before a back injury grounded his career.

"The back injury affected my fitness and there was no way I could play to my full potential after that. I took the decision to retire as I am keen to focus on coaching as well as umpiring. I have done my Level Two in coaching and am keen to do well in the umpiring exams. Given a choice, I would opt for umpiring since there are already many qualified coaches," the 32-year-old says. Now a Canara Bank officer, he has already whetted his coaching appetite with successful stints with the Karnataka junior teams like the under-17 but whether he becomes a full-fledged coach or an umpire will be decided in the next few months.

As Shiraguppi leaves his cricket kit in the attic, it is time for some nostalgia as well. "My favourite Ranji Trophy memory was the final which we won against Madhya Pradesh here in April 1999. They were expected to win but we snatched a close victory in the mandatory overs with Vijay (Bharadwaj) taking up six crucial second-innings wickets," Shiraguppi said.

He also remembers vividly the early days in Dharwad. "I went for a selection trial in my school and in fact bowled off-spin, but I failed to clear the first trial. Then the coach asked me whether I would like to keep wickets and I said yes. And in the second trial I was cleared as a wicketkeeper and there was no looking back. I thank my coach Vasanth Muradeshwar, Neeraj Kumar, Jagannath, who gave me the right breaks when I came to Bangalore and all those associated with the KSCA, my teammates and my bank. I would also like to thank Devaraj who financed my trips to Bangalore when I was still playing the league in Dharwad. Without their help I would not be here."

Any regrets? "Not really. But sometimes I think if I had played in higher batting slots may be I might have extended my career with the State. I always came in the lower order at either number eight or nine. I thought I did a good job as a wicket-keeper but as a batsman I could have done more even though I did score some crucial runs," Shiraguppi says before leaving for a routine day at the bank.

K.C. VIJAYA KUMAR

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