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It is a cold December afternoon and we are in the picturesque Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Chandigarh. As the locals stroll through the late afternoon, soaked in the winter sun, we set out to run VRV Singh, India’s former fast bowler.
We start talking at the end of his race, and our conversations go back to the Indian cricket team and the South African tour. It also brings back memories of that 2006-07 test series, where the touring Indian team won the first Test, where the last strong position between Sourav Ganguly and VRV was crucial.
The test began on December 15, 2006 and gave it a new Indian cricket dimension. “Yaar, 15 saal ho gaye… purani baatein yaad aa gaya…”VRV begins.
India did not have the best level after losing the ODI series 4-0. But before the Test match, he won the Potchefstroom tour match, adding confidence that he hadn’t lost everything. So under the leadership of captain Rahul Dravid, India took the field in Johannesburg with high hopes and had a dream: to win a first test match in the rainbow nation.
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“I was 22 years old and relatively new to the setup. Even though I was on the team for a few months and played against the West Indies and England, they were still in the starting line-up, ”said VRV. “We knew we would never win a test match in South Africa, so the team kept its expectations high and we knew this was our chance …”
The start was delayed due to bad weather and after winning the draw, Dravid chose to join. In stoppage time, South Africa’s fastballs reduced India to 14-2 before Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid formed a 69-run alliance. But they both left India shortly after reaching the 100-mark mark and focused on Ganguly, who was returning to the team in almost 10 months.
South Africa, however, took five wickets for 49 runs before joining VRV Ganguly as the last man to join.
The team members congratulated VRV Singh on a tour of Potchefstroom after giving a ball to Rest of Morne van Wyk in South Africa. – REUTERS
“It was a nervous moment for sure. Dealing with the South African rhythm quartet was quite a chore. I wasn’t the best batsman, so it was harder. But the moment I walked in, Dada [Ganguly] he told me, “Play your natural game,” and that I should play freely … “VRV recalls.
While Ganguly’s words comforted him, VRV also remembers what Tendulkar said to him before joining the baptism.
“Paaji he told me that if I added 20-25 runs, then he would help our bowlers defend more races and that really motivated me.
“I went in and Dada made sure I didn’t feel out of place. It was a great campaign, so when a player raises your morale, you know you have to stay there. That’s what I did. I stepped back and stayed in the slot … “
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He made 29 runs, which helped India add 44 crucial races to the final wicket. “We went back to the dressing room and everyone was happy with our effort. We had a positive atmosphere and we started to believe that we were in the game … ”
But then, 249 didn’t seem entirely convincing. “We knew we had to throw it away. Zak [Zaheer Khan] and Sree [Sreesanth] He threw himself beautifully to return to the game, and to our disbelief, he came together for South Africa 84 … We felt like we were back in control … “
Now, India has a 165-race lead and set a 402-race goal for South Africa, thanks to cooperation between Laxman and Zaher. And after a staggering total, South Africa fell again as India ran 123. Although the team lost the next two games and eventually picked up the series, the victory in Johannesburg was unique.
“It gave us enough confidence,” VRV says. He was not expected to play in that test, but he was given five chances in the tour game.
“I was doing well in bowling at the time and I was also getting wickets. So when an opportunity came my way, I stole it. This match was special and it was a great learning experience. ”
As the current Indian team prepares for a tour of South Africa, starting on December 26, VRV believes it is a strong side with the firepower to break the wickedness of never winning a test series in South Africa.
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“The way we have won away from Australia and also dominated England, I think that is enough to show how much we have improved as a team. This side has a lot of diversity and a lot of talent, which gives a lot of opportunities to team management. If player A does not give, you have someone else. If that also fails, you have a third chance, so there are plenty of options. It’s a good headache for the team’s management, ”said VRV, who played five tests for India and a couple of ODIs.
Now, as coach, VRV understands that Rohit Sharma’s absence could be a blow to the team, but he is optimistic that Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya will have a good show around Rahane.
“The experience of Pujara and Rahane will be good for the team and when Virat is around, there is a lot of depth in the batting. There is Shreyas [Iyer]Mayank Agarwal and a lot of talented players, so the team seems balanced. “
In the bowling department, too, India mixes youth and experience. “Siraj [Mohammad Siraj] and Shardul [Thakur] He was very good in Australia and I think Siraj has been effective in all conditions, so I have high hopes for him in South Africa. The fact is that Ishant [Sharma], Mohammed Shami and [Jasprit] Bumrah, young people can learn a thing or two from them. It’s a very good unit and has all the potential to win the Test series, ”says VRV.
Having done that, VRV understands that the early days can be a bit of a challenge for players who are touring for the first time in South Africa.
“Players should know that they have played enough cricket, so they should go back and take it as it comes,” says VRV, repeating what Dada of Indian cricket once said: “Play your natural game.”
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