69-year-old ex-Test batsman K Jayantilal responds to captain's call to play for Bombay Gym in Salarjung tourney despite undergoing root canal procedure
Kenia Jayantilal
Former Test player K Jayantilal returns to the pavilion after representing Bombay Gym in the Salarjung tournament yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate
What stops a 69-year-old former Test opening batsman from playing for his club on a steamy Tuesday afternoon? Nothing!
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Kenia Jayantilal, who was part of Ajit Wadekar's 1971 victorious tourists to the West Indies and England, was at his dentist, undergoing a root canal procedure when Bombay Gymkhana captain Rahul Sagar called him to be part of the playing XI in their Salarjung Shield T20 pre-quarter final against Muslim Cricket Club at Bombay Gymkhana.
Getting there
"Rahul said, 'you have to play' so I took a painkiller and reached the gymkhana," Jayantilal told mid-day yesterday.
Apart from his tooth problem, Jayantilal also played the game with tape on two fingers.
Though he didn't get a chance to bat as his team scored 174 for three before bundling out their opponents for 104 in 18.4 overs, the veteran cricketer took a brilliant, low catch to his left at first slip to dismiss a Muslim CC batsman.
"Playing a cricket match is a tonic or medicine for me. The sunrays, lush green outfield and cool air at the Gymkhana refreshed my body and eyes. Cricket is a passion for me. If you want to live long, you must get involved in such activities," said Jayantilal, whose only Test was on the 1971 West Indies tour in Jamaica. In England later that year, he took a catch as substitute to dismiss dangerman Basil D'Oliviera off S Venkataraghavan in the hosts' second innings.
IPL warning for India players
He is looking forward to the television coverage of the Indian Premier League which kicks off today in Hyderabad, a team he played most of his first-class cricket for.
However, he issued a warning to participants of the glamourous League: "IPL is good for youngsters because they get good exposure by playing alongside, and against international cricketers. But, India players should be careful.
There is a lot of money to earn in the IPL, but it is dangerous to play with even a minor injury because aggravating it can cost you a season.
My advice would be, if you are injured, take rest, let the injury heal completely and then return."
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