Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
A match winner
|
Meher Baba will be remembered as one of the finest players of his times
|
PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR
Always impressive Mehar Baba
Former Andhra cricketer D. Meher Baba, who passed away recently, was one of those players who always stood out from the crowd in more ways than one. On the field, his presence was impressive and striking for he was about six feet tall and his burly physique was quite recognisable even from a distance.
Like many big built players, he had quick reflexes. While fielding in the slips or at gully, he could snap up half chances with almost casual ease and there were very few who could match his ability to pouch even the most difficult of catches as the ball flashed past him. During his heydays, he was known to posses one of the safest pairs of hands in the team.
In batting, his powerful strokeplay was feared by all his opponents. He didn’t just hit the ball, he bludgeoned it with all the strength that he could muster from his broad shoulders and thick forearms. The way he hammered John Lever (then one of England’s leading seam bowlers) to all parts of the ground while representing South Zone in a three-day match against the visiting side at the Lal Bahadur stadium on one occasion many years ago, will not be easily forgotten by those who watched that exhibition of awesome power.
When he was bowling, rival batsmen knew they had to be careful. He had a deceptive flight and his immaculate line and length rarely allowed batsmen to take liberties. He was often brought on to bowl when it looked like the rival batting would seize the initiative.He would bring things under control by bowling tight overs or by taking a wicket or two.
He was respected not only by his teammates but by opponents also. The then Andhra team had players like K.V.S.D Kamaraju, Bhaskara Ramamurthy and Jugal Kishore Ghia to name a few. It was a good combination and the players were a talented lot. But for various reasons the team did not fare as well as expected to.
That, however, did not result in any lack of motivation. Meher Baba and his teammates were a bunch of fighters always ready to challenge the strongest teams from the south zone. And what was most praiseworthy was that their behaviour on the field was always impeccable. They believed it was a gentleman’s game and played it that way.
Meher himself was one of the most unflappable characters in the side. Nothing, it seemed, could provoke him into losing his cool. His sedate walk, his erect posture and his calm visage never betrayed any emotion whether he was fielding, batting or bowling, even under pressure. In these days of strife, tension and conflict on the field, the game needs more players of his ilk.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
