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Nostalgia over butter chicken

Sunil Valson, part of the 1983 World Cup winning team, recalls the glorious moment over lunch at Moti Mahal Deluxe restaurant

PHOTO: ANU PUSHKARNA

LOVES CRICKET, LOVES CHICKEN Sunil Valson enjoying his lunch at Moti Mahal Deluxe

Have you known a crowd turning up to just watch a bowler at nets? It was precisely the scene at the India Gate lawns, in front of the National Stadium, in the late seventies when Sunil Valson was making batsmen hop around, even maiming some of them with his electrifying pace in local cricket. There were no speedometers those days and the only way to judge a bowler's potential was by watching the batsmen's movements. Many would back away from Valson. It was mind-blowing indeed!

The same Valson, a left arm pacer who was also a part of the 1983 World Cup winning team, was our guest last week. An unassuming man, he graciously had a quiet lunch at the Moti Mahal Deluxe in the majestic Shipra Mall, east of Delhi. From the realms of old Delhi, the Moti Mahal has now branched out to malls and metros, thanks to its young Managing Director, Monish Gujral, grandson of Kundan Lal Gujral, founder of the famed restaurant in Peshawar in 1920. "It is a tribute to my grandfather. Daryaganj was becoming out of bounds for some people and that is why we have these new branches," says Gujral.

Noted for its tandoori cuisine, and butter chicken in particular, the Moti Mahal offers vintage stuff.

Valson begins with salted nimboo paani. He knows his way as he checks the tandoori trail in the menu. "Pudina chicken tikka," he is quick to indicate his preference. "I love eating out but I love cooking too. When I am in a mood to hog I cook at home (with help from wife Shabnam)."

A big eater, he has always maintained a balance. "Careful when playing a match but we always ate what we liked after the game. Lots of chhole-bhature and aaloo-tikkis and lots of workout to burn the fat. After all, cricket was our life, not food."

Inclusion in team

Earlier, as we drove to the Moti Mahal Deluxe, it was time to reflect on those glorious days when cricket was not commercial. "It was competitive and very intense. I was hardly expecting to be picked (in the World Cup team in 1983). I was playing league cricket in England and it was a pleasant surprise."

So Valson joined the team in London at the St. James Hotel and became part of history as India went on to win the Cup. There were messages from the seniors for Valson to call immediately on reporting at the team hotel. "I thought I was very popular but I smelt a rat and contacted the manager (Man Singh). The truth was that every senior wanted me to share the room because I was the newcomer." Valson ended up being roommates with Kirti Azad and Roger Binny. Ironically, the only chance Valson had of playing was when Binny had a niggle ahead of the return match against the West Indies. "I was keen to play but I was glad Roger recovered. He was bowling beautifully."

With Binny's recovery went away Valson's chance of playing at least one match. That he never played for India even after the World Cup is another story altogether.

Famous butter chicken

The waiter returns for the order. The tikkas have been dealt with and Valson orders the main course. "You can't come to Moti Mahal and not have butter chicken and tadka daal."

In 1983, India was not flaunted as winner at the Cup but two incidents motivated the team. First when Ali Shah of Zimbabwe dismissed India as a "no problem" opponent. And next when three stalwarts of England mocked at India. "It was on the BBC show and Ted Dexter, Ray Illingworth and Brian Close were discussing an England-West Indies final even before the semi-finals had been played. They were not to be seen after we beat England."

On the final, Valson was realistic. "I would be lying if I say we were optimistic. None of us were. We just wanted to go out and enjoy our cricket." They did, and so did the nation. Among those present in the dressing room at Lord's were Tiger Pataudi and Gundappa Visvanath. "Some of the West Indians were in tears," recalls Valson.

What is his most lasting memory of the Cup? "That feeling of triumph in the balcony at Lord's. It can never be felt again." We celebrate it again with matka-kulfi and drive back with some fond memories of that golden day.

VIJAY LOKAPALLY

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