In the summer of 1986, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s international debut, Dilip Vengasarkar was the top run-getter for India in England. In those days, the English players use to make their tactics around the prolific opener Sunil Gavaskar, who was approaching the end of his career. The legendary batsman must have felt relieved after witnessing class from a fellow Mumbaikar.
Vengsarkar outclassed the England bowlers while batting at no. 4 as he has always been remembered for scoring match-winning centuries (126* and 102*) in Lord’s and Headingley on that tour.
The Lord’s hundred also helped the visitors to register their first ever win at the iconic ground, also marked his three-figure hat-trick at the home of cricket, since 1979. Ahead of India’s high-profile series against England come July, the veteran stressed on the need to adapt the conditions and spared a thought for Ajinkya Rahane as he missed out on the limited-overs berth.
During a recent chat with Sportstar, Dilip said, “India has got a great chance in England, there is no question about that. How quickly they adapt to English conditions is important. I am glad that they will be playing the One-Day Internationals first. There will be enough matches before they head to the Test matches. We have world-class players who can adapt, and that will be the key in England.”
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In the current pool of players, apart from the veteran like Murali Vijay, Rahane is the only batsman with a decent record in England.
Vengsarkar is likely to connect as India’s second win at Lord’s — that came in 2014 after 28 years after that 1986 Test — had a Rahane century in the script. He said, “I am really surprised [at Rahane’s exclusion]. It is a 50-over game and somebody has to stay around for a long time. Rahane was the right person to hold the middle-order. It is unfortunate.”
Though Vengsarkar came from a Yo-Yo free era, he understands the level of fitness required in modern-day cricket. He reckons Ambati Rayudu, Sanju Samson, and Mohammed Shami — who failed to clear the endurance test for the England tour — should be handed a second chance. He said, “Every cricketer needs to be fit at the international level. But I believe they all must get another opportunity to clear the test, in another 10 days or so. I am sure they will do something. This way, the cricketers can always get a chance to be a part of the team.”
Vengsarkar’s batting snatched England’s pride and David Gower’s captaincy on that tour; now it’s over to Virat Kohli.
