There was a reality check done on whether Team India has a genuine all-rounder and former India cricketers Chandu Borde, Salim Durrani, Nari Contractor and Bapu Nadkarni were all unanimous in their assessment.
The cricketers of the yesteryears felt there is a dearth of genuine all-rounders in the Indian team. “All-rounders are born cricketers. I don’t consider all-rounders in T20s as genuine all-rounders because they only bowl four overs,” Borde told a gathering at the Cricket Club of India on the 95th birth anniversary of Vinoo Mankad. The talk was organised by Legends Club, yesterday.
Nari Contractor
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Durrani, who was capable of hitting a six on demand, said Team India badly needed an all-rounder. “I am pained to see that we don’t have a good all-rounder at present. ODIs and T20s don’t give much platform to showcase your skills,” said Durrani, who rated Kapil Dev as India’s last best all-rounder.
Former India skipper Contractor stressed on the consistency factor. “We should judge all-rounders on the basis of their consistency of winning matches. The true value of all-rounder is felt when the whole side has failed,” said Contractor, citing examples of Gary Sobers, Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff.
Contractor stressed on the need to encourage all-rounders. “We have to initiate an award for all-rounders not just at the highest level, but also at the grassroot level. There are awards for sixes and catches (in the ongoing IPL), but no award for all-rounders,” said Contractor.
Nadkarni said: “Today’s youngsters are trained to bowl defensively. They have to be told to bowl an attacking line. Limited overs cricket does not provide a conducive atmosphere for all-rounders,” he said.
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