Cricket was more gentlemanly in the good old days

Today’s cricket is technology-driven. Decisions are no longer left entirely to the naked eye of umpires. There is DRS (Decision Review System), ultra-edge, ball-tracking, slow-motion replays, spider-cam, LED stumps, and instant third-umpire irrevocable verdicts, flashing on giant screens. Every no-ball is checked frame by frame. Every appeal is dissected precisely. The game has become faster, louder, commercially vibrant, from five-day Test matches to One-Day Internationals (ODIs) to T20s. The cricket of the 1960s, when I played and watched cricket it was pure, patient, and played in what was proudly called as the ‘Sportsman spirit.’

In the absence of television sets, we listened to every word of radio commentators like Vizzy (Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagaram) and Chakrapani. Cricket lovers imagined every stroke and every wicket. For instance, in January 1964, the England team, then officially known as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the historic London-based club that governed English cricket for decades, toured India. Under the captaincy of MJK Smith, MCC played five Test matches and two first-class (county) matches.

The match between South Zone and MCC was played at Fateh Maidan (LB Stadium) in Hyderabad from January 7–9, 1964. South Zone was defeated by an innings and 27 runs. Out of our love for the game, some of us who were studying at Khammam College came to Hyderabad for the first time to watch that match. All five Test matches ended in draws. Tiger Pataudi won the toss in all five matches. In the first match at Madras, Farokh Engineer was replaced at the last moment by Buddhi Kunderan due to injury. After Kunderan scored 192 runs, he was retained as the opener-wicketkeeper for the remaining four matches. In the final Test at Kanpur, despite winning the toss, Pataudi surprisingly chose to put England in to bat first.

England scored a massive 559 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, throwing a big challenge before India, since it was forced to follow on as feared. India were all out for just 266 runs in their first innings. Since Bapu Nadkarni, who had come in at the end as a bowler in the first innings, played well and remained not out, Pataudi asked him to open the batting in the second innings. Nadkarni responded magnificently with a century and remained unbeaten, saving India from defeat. It bore the tactical brilliance of Pataudi and the extraordinary character of Nadkarni.

One unforgettable reminiscence was the legendary bowling of Nadkarni. In one famous spell (Madras Test against MCC), he bowled an astonishing 32 consecutive overs, with 27 maidens, including 21 consecutive or 131 dot balls in a row, conceding just five runs.

Today, with aggressive batting, fielding restrictions, and powerplays, such an achievement of sustained accuracy is unimaginable, and would be nearly impossible.

Each player had distinct stylish mannerisms that won many hearts. .

I recall that there was an instance during the series when several MCC players fell ill. At one stage, they did not have eleven fully fit players on the field. Indian players stepped into the field for them. It was all in the true ‘sportsman spirit’ unlike today.

There was no talk of ‘match fixing.’ No betting scandals. No media trials. Just pride in performance and respect for the opponent. Cricket today is faster, richer, and scientifically analysed. Cricket then was slower, quieter, and emotionally deeper. Today’s players are global celebrities. In those days, players were admired like artists. Today we watch in ultra-HD clarity. Then we listened and imagined. And perhaps that imagination made the memories even more beautiful.

I remember how Jaisimha was initially overlooked for the Australia tour, only to be recalled. He rewarded the selectors with a fine century in the second innings. I also remember Syed Abid Ali excelling as opening bowler, opening batsman, and even wicketkeeper.

At one stage, the Indian Test side was dominated by south zone players, many from Hyderabad, including Pataudi and Jaisimha. I clearly recall Garfield Sobers taking a catch against south zone in Hyderabad and expressing doubt, as he felt his fingers might have touched the ground. Despite the umpire seeking clarification, Sobers honestly admitted his uncertainty, but the next day, a section of the media criticised him for not speaking up before being formally asked, an ironic response to an act of rare integrity.

Then, cricket was guided by conscience and character, when a player’s word could decide an outcome, and we trusted the spirit of the game. Now, it is governed by cameras and precision, where technology confirms every verdict. From conscience to cameras, that, perhaps, is ‘then and now.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao[email protected]