The Kapil Dev of Delhi that India denied

November 17, 2012
KapilNew Delhi, November 17: His achievements for Delhi are comparable with Steven Gerrard's for Liverpool and Ryan Giggs' for Manchester United. He plays with the same heart and passion as a Leander Paes for India in the Davis Cup. He has worked day in and day out, burnt midnight oil, given it all he has and taken Delhi to the pinnacle through his sheer commitment, hardwork, dedication and determination.


The unassuming and grounded old war-horse - Rajat Bhatia is a man of few words who lets his performances on the field do the talking. An extraordinary all-rounder, his feats speak for themselves. In 74 first-class matches, he has scored 4242 runs at an average of 48.20 with 11 centuries. A member of the MRF Pace Foundation when he was young, his efforts with the ball have been equally impressive. He has picked up 88 wickets conceding just 28.39 runs per dismissal.

He was the unsung hero of Delhi's Ranji triumph in 2007. He scored a whopping 512 runs in 7 matches and also picked up 26 wickets at an astonishing 12.65 per wicket. Despite turning the match on its head with a brilliant, fighting and counter-attacking 139 in the 1st innings in the Final, which was actually the performance of the match, much of the credit went to the skipper Gautam Gambhir for his 2nd innings ton and to Pradeep Sangwan for his 9 wickets.

Bhatia spoke to Cricbuzz about how he felt about the same. "I have never looked for rewards and accolades. I just go there and give my 100% every time I turn out on the cricket field. If my contributions are recognized, I am grateful and if they are not, I take it as a part of life and move on. No point holding any grudges."

He started his career at Tamil Nadu as he had completed his education from there and had joined the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai under the guidance of TA Sekhar. He found it a bit difficult to get admission into a Delhi College as they were not willing to grant him leaves to practise his cricket. Moreover, coming from a humble and modest background, he wanted to establish himself financially and the clubs in Chennai were offering him a good deal.

Perhaps, Bhatia was India's answer to the elusive all-rounder that the national team so desperately seeked after the retirement of Kapil Dev. He may not have had the talent the great Indian all-rounder was gifted with but certainly deserved a chance to prove his worth. Many tipped him to break into the senior Indian team at various points in the middle of 2000s but the selectors ignored this all-rounder of great potential and turned their backs on him - a true and deserving cricketer lost in the politics of the Indian Board. When asked about when he thought was the opportune time for him to make that cut to international cricket, Bhatia said, " I feel the opportune time for me was in 2001 when India toured Zimbabwe. But I was ignored. Despite performing consistently well in domestic cricket, I wasn't even selected for the Challenger Trophy and never received a call from the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. My state Board did not back me." The disappointment was quite evident in his voice.

"The most the Indian Board has done for me is to send me to an India-A tour of Israel when I was left out from the national team's tour to Australia." Then almost changing the tone, he remarked humourously, "At least they did send me for that promotional tour to Israel. I must thank them for that. I got to see Jerusalem as a tourist and absolutely loved it - so much history and culture".


On what kept the motivation going even after the frustration of not being selected for the national team, Rajat said, "Of course there was frustration and a tinge of sadness. But there was no time and no point in regretting. I had to move forward. I love the game and that is what kept me going day in and day out. I wanted to set an example to other youngsters who if faced with a similar situation, should not give up but just continue to work hard and spread the positive energy. There is a lot of pleasure in playing domestic cricket."


Bhatia also spoke about the dwindling fortunes of Delhi after the Golden Era between 1976-1991. "Collectively, I think we did not get a bunch of good players together during this period. There were a few good cricketers but 2-3 players can't win you a game alone"


On players that have motivated him the first name he mentioned was that of Yuvraj Singh. "He was my room-mate when we played for India Under-19. I have seen many talented cricketers, but Yuvi is perhaps the most gifted. I always knew that he would come back with a bang from the illness as he has always been a fighter. When he won the World Cup in 2011, I told him that he was born to win us the Cup. Now he is desperate to prove himself and leave a mark in Tests as well. I wish him all the best"


"Of course, Sachin has been a great source of inspiration for all of us. We literally worship him. Another cricketer for whom I have a lot of admiration and have shared the dressing room with in the IPL for Kolkatta Knight Riders is, Jacques Kallis. His physical fitness amazes me. His dedication and love for the game is unparalleled. He has taken so much burden on his shoulders and come out with aplomb"

Amongst domestic players, he said he could relate to Amol Muzumdar and Mithun Manhas amongst others, who have done remarkably well for their respective states but have been unlucky having not made the cut to the senior level.

He added that his brother who played club cricket was a big source of inspiration for him.

Bhatia is from the old-school of thought and he firmly belives that Test cricket is the purest form of cricket and what one learns from playing the domestic seasons for their state sides can't be compared to the IPL or T20 cricket. He says, "A good Test player can be a good T20 player but the contrary is not always true."


He added that the experiences of the IPL and the CLT20 had been memorable and he had learnt a lot from sharing the KKR dressing room with the likes of Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee and Sunil Narine.

On what his future plans are, Bhatia replied, "I just want to enjoy my cricket and not think about anything else. I do not set any goals for myself anymore. I don't want to end with any regrets."


He also had a message for the youngsters who are passionate about cricket and want to pursue it as a career. "The first message I would like to give to all budding cricketers is to have passion for the game and then strive hard to work towards your goal. There is no substitute for hardwork. Be a good student of the game. Try and play for the same team and don't frequently change states for minor interests. Be disciplined and keep reasonable goals for yourself."

He may not have the flamboyance of Virat Kohli, the sheer gift and ruthlessness of Virender Sehwag or the aggression of Gautam Gambhir, but one thing was sure - that with a lot of hardwork, passion and determination , even the less talented mortals can dare to dream and in Rajat's case, even the so called 'ordinary' can achieve the 'extraordinary'.

May be the fortunes of Delhi would be revived, when one of her most faithful and loyal servants, Rajat Bhatia makes a comeback, for the team would be desperate for someone of his experience and guile to take them to the top again.



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News Network
April 8,2020

New Delhi, Apr 8: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday proposed a three-match ODI series against arch-rivals India to raise funds for the fight against the Covid19 pandemic in both the countries.

The two nations have not played a full-series since 2007 due to the terrorist attacks on India by Pakistan-based outfits and the resultant diplomatic tension. They only play each other in ICC events and Asia Cup.

"In this time of crisis, I want to propose a three-match series in which for the first time, the people of neither country would be upset at the outcome of the games," Akhtar told PTI from Islamabad.

"If Virat (Kohli) scores a hundred, we will be happy, if Babar Azam scores a hundred, you will be happy. Both teams will be winners irrespective of whatever happens on the field," he said.

"You are bound to get massive viewership for the games. For the first time, both countries will play for each other. And whatever funds are generated through this can be donated equally to the government of India and Pakistan to fight this pandemic," added the 44-year-old.

No idea of logistics

With both countries in a lockdown amid the fast-spreading pandemic, the games can only be organised when things improve. However, Akhtar feels the sooner they are held, the better it would be but could not tell how the logistics of such an initiative would be worked out.

"Everyone is sitting at home at the moment, so there will be a massive following for the games. May be not now, when things start improving, the games could be organised at a neutral location like Dubai. Chartered flights could be arranged and the matches could he held.

"The whole world will tune into it, so much money can be raised to deal with this crisis. In difficult times, the character of the nation comes forward."

Start of a new era?

"It could even lead to resumption of bilateral cricketing ties and relations of both countries improve diplomatically. You never know," said the 'Rawalpindi Express'.

In these extraordinary times, Akhtar feels both countries should help each other. "We can only propose the matches. The rest is up to the authorities (to decide)."

India cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh were recently trolled for asking their social media followers to donate to Shahid Afridi's charity foundation which is doing its bit in Pakistan's fight against the deadly virus.

"It was inhuman to criticise them. It is not about countries or religion at the moment, it is about humanity," he opined.

India memories

Akhtar has spent a lot of time in India as a commentator. He fondly recalled his days in Mumbai during the World T20 in 2016, the last time he came to India for work.

"I am forever grateful about the love I have received from the people of India. For the first time I am revealing this, whatever I used to earn from India, I made a significant amount there, thirty percent of it, I used to distribute among the low income staff who used to work with me in the TV," he remembered.

Akhtar used to visit the city's slum areas with his face covered to hand out financial help to elder women there.

"From drivers, runners to my security guys. I took care of a lot of people. I was like if am earning from this country, I have to help my colleagues also.

"I also remember visiting slums of Dharavi and Sion in the wee hours to meet people I worked with," added Akhtar.

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News Network
February 24,2020

Wellington, Feb 24: Indian batsmen's inadequacies in adverse conditions were laid bare as they crashed to an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat against a ruthless New Zealand side that wrapped up the opening Test in just over three days here on Monday.

Starting the day on 144 for four, India were all out for 191 in their second innings. This was only a shade better than their dismal 165 in the first innings, which eventually proved to be decisive.

Trent Boult (4/39 in 22 overs) and Tim Southee (5/61 in 21 overs), the most under-rated new ball pairs in world cricket, showed that when it boils down to playing incisive seam and swing bowling, this batting line-up is still a work in progress.

The required target of nine runs was knocked off by New Zealand without much ado for their 100th Test win.

India's last defeat was against Australia at Perth during the 2018-19 series but the loss at the Basin Reserve would hurt them more because the visitors have not surrendered in such a fashion of late.

There was no resistance from a star-studded line-up and more than intent, the failure was due to poor technique on a track that had something on the third and fourth day as well.

This is a team that plays fast bowling much better than their predecessors, the reason for their success on the bouncy Australian tracks.

But when it comes to facing conventional seam and swing bowling in testing conditions, they are yet to learn the art of saving a Test match.

India had lost the mental battle on the first day itself when they saw the moisture on the wicket.

The toss became a factor and not for one session did they look comfortable. Mayank Agarwal was the only batsman, who felt at home in patches, as New Zealand showed what a Test match strategy is all about.

If the first innings was about mixing back of length deliveries with fuller length balls, the second innings saw the pacers coming from round the wicket and targeting the rib-cage. The line was disconcerting and it stifled them for good.

It affected their mindset and once Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari stepped out on the fourth morning, defeat was written all over as both looked ill-equipped to handle such high quality seam bowling.

Rahane (29 off 75 balls) and Vihari (15 off 79 balls) are players who only play long-form cricket at the international level and both are known for their patience.

But little would have the Indian vice-captain apprehended that he would get a delivery from Boult, which he thought would move away after pitching but it held its line and he had no option but to jab at it, and all he got was an edge.

Southee, who bowls a lovely classical outswinger, then bowled an off-cutter from the other end and before Vihari could comprehend, it came back sharply to peg the stumps back.

Within first 20 minutes, the two seasoned practitioners of swing had knocked the stuffing out of India's resistance.

Rishabh Pant (25 off 41 balls) batted only in the manner he can and played one breathtaking shot off Southee, a slog sweep off a 130 kmph-plus delivery to the deep mid-wicket boundary.

But there was too much left to do with too little support from the other end. Bending on one knee, he tried another audacious slog scoop but couldn't clear.

Southee, who had a terrific match, deservingly completed his 10th five-wicket haul and all it took was 16 overs to end the innings and the match.

New Zealand now have 120 points in the World Test championship and India stayed on top with 36 points.

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News Network
May 27,2020

Bengaluru, May 27: Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has revealed that he was never able to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq in the nets.

The Rawalpindi Express praised the former Pakistan skipper and said Inzamam could see the ball one second earlier than the rest of the batsmen could.

"Honestly, I don't think I could ever get him (Inzamam) out, he had the time and I always felt he saw the ball a second earlier than the rest of the batsmen because I had a complicated action unlike Brett Lee, I felt I could never dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq," Akhtar told Sanjay Manjrekar in a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo.

"I couldn't get him out in the nets, I think he could see the ball a second before anyone else," he added.

Inzamam played 120 Tests and 378 ODIs for Pakistan.

He finished his career with 20,569 runs across all formats.

The right-handed batsman called time on his career in 2007 and he played his last Test against South Africa in Lahore.

On the other hand, Akhtar played 224 matches for Pakistan in international cricket and took 444 wickets across all formats.

The Rawalpindi Express last played an ODI in 2011 as he played against New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup.

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