From: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu (Murali Iyer)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Venkat's new role
Date: 16 Oct 1992 16:01:09 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsd.csd.mu.edu


A couple of days ago, netters were informed that Venkatraghavan was in the
20-member short-list of umpires for the India-England series. During a
telephone conversation I had with a relative in Bangalore a few days ago, I was
told that he was a certainty for the test series as he had been getting
positive reviews from players and administrators alike in the games he has so
far stood. It was only a couple of years ago that Venkat took up this venture
and the strides he has made is remarkable, because it usually takes a very long
time for someone to come to the highest level of umpiring. Venkat's experience
as test cricketer and his general outlook is surely a major factor in speeding
his climb up. 

Venkat was always known as a no-nonsense man(some may say short-tempered), and
his umpiring style has been exactly that. In these days of sledging and
monkey-jumping, I think he would be the right man to be in charge on the field.
Robin Marlar, I think, had written to the effect that ex-established-cricketers
make better umpires than those with no playing experience(Yes, Dickie Bird was
a pretty good player himself, and so were quite a few of the present-day
respected umpires). Anyway, Venkat is also supposed to be unofficially slated
for the next world cup, wherever it is conducted! Perhaps he will be the first
umpire who has also played in the World Cups! 

At the risk of being labelled sensational(no hard feelings, Saugata. Just
kidding) , I shall also quote my source with a somewhat controversial
behind-the-scenes act before the selection committee was finalised: I was told
that Vishy's selection to the selection committee was vehemently opposed even
by the south zone cricket associations, but guess who put his foot down and
insisted on Vishy? None other than Sunil Gavaskar!  I asked my source how Sunny
was involved, him not being an administrator in BCCI? I was told that Sunny was
*the most powerful/respected individual* in cricket circles in India today. It
seems he has been pushing for more and more former cricketers in
decision-making positions in BCCI. Ajit Wadekar's managerial assignment,
Venkat's umpiring assignment, Vishy's chairman-selection-committee job,
everything seems to prove that this objective is being achieved. 

Once again, the team selection itself has been hailed as one of the most
reasonable and positive in recent times. Srikkanth's and Sidhu's exclusion is
being hailed as a step in the right direction(sob, sob, but okay - I can live
with it). As I said earlier, only Mani and Kambli's are the notable omissions
according to experts, but a lot of the responsibility for this move rests with
Azhar, as Vishy has made clear in post-selection briefings. Shastri's
appointment as second-man was supposed to work as a motivating factor for Azhar
to perform better. Vishy has also said that when Azhar was first nominated
captain, it was with a view to mould him for the future. So, this is another
step in the same direction.

Also, I was told that it was *not* as if Vishy did not know anything about his
forthcoming assignment when he was informed that he would chair the selection
committee, he was abreast of the developments all along. 

The team has left for Harare on the 14th of october, as per a report from our
friend Srinivas in Bombay.

I have not tried to create/fan any controversies by posting the above, but have
just tried to share some reliable information with fellow netters. The reason I
posted the bit about Vishy's assignment was because some of our net-friends
were asking about the supposed tug between Venkat and Vishy for the selector's
post from South Zone. this is what I learned when I asked about it. And I can
vouch for my source, because he is positioned at the right place, pretty close
to the action. Not bragging, just stating a fact. Thank you.

-Murali