I wished to give up cricket at 22, however Gaekwad sir motivated me to play for India: Mongia

Nayan Mongia nonetheless remembers that night in early 1991 when Dattajirao Gaekwad known as him and requested why he had not turned up for Baroda’s follow periods for the previous 5 days.

Mongia, a 22-year-old again then, informed Gaekwad that he was planning to give up the sport after he didn’t make it to the West Zone squad within the Duleep Trophy that 12 months regardless of scoring 555 runs within the 1990-91 season of the Ranji Trophy – together with two centuries and as many fifties.

Gaekwad paused for a minute and requested Mongia to fulfill him on the earliest. “I was determined to quit the game at that time, as I felt that if I couldn’t find a place in the West Zone squad despite piling in so many runs, there was no point in playing cricket. I thought I would choose some other career, but sir scolded me, and that entire night, he explained to me why I should not think on those lines,” Mongia informed  Sportstar on Tuesday, a couple of hours after Gaekwad breathed his final on the age of 95.

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Like most of Gaekwad’s wards, Mongia, too, discovered it laborious to return to phrases with the truth that ‘sir’ would now not be obtainable for a chat on cricket. But as he seems to be again at his profession, Mongia solely has gratitude for Gaekwad, who performed 11 Tests for the nation.

“I still remember those words of sir. He told me, ‘Are you out of your mind? Why would you even think of quitting cricket? You still have age on your side and have a long way to go. You have to fight your battle, and he inspired me by giving examples.’ I listened to him and was back to practice soon,” Mongia mentioned.

“He told me to just focus on my game and keep performing. I wouldn’t have perhaps ever played for India had sir not motivated me,” he added.

Mongia finally went on to play 44 Tests and 140 ODIs for India between 1994 and 2001.

Having been Gaekwad’s scholar for the reason that U-14 days, Mongia remembers how the previous could be hands-on by way of making ready the wickets and getting different services in place. “He would spend hours and hours with us in the nets and also ensure that the wicket was in the right shape. He would instruct the groundsmen on how much to roll and had an eye for detail.”

Back then, Gaekwad would name the boys to the Motibaug cricket floor at 3 o’clock within the afternoon. “But sir would be there by 2.30, much before we reached. He ensured everything was prim and proper. Even after the sessions got over, he would talk to us till about 7-7.30 pm, and I still cherish those memories,” Mongia mentioned.

Nayan Mongia of Indian cricket workforce wicket-keeper snapped through the Pepsi Cup Triangular Series One Day International (ODI) Cricket Tournament match between India and Pakistan Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on March 24, 1999.
| Photo Credit:
V.V. KRISHNAN / THE HINDU ARCHIVES

The conversations would revolve round easy methods to keep on the wicket, rating runs and deal with robust conditions. 

“He did not like any batter hitting the ball in the air. If he saw that happening in a match, he would just walk out of the field. By that, he would make it evident to the batter that he did not approve of his shot selection,” Mongia mentioned. “That was his way of conveying the message to the player. He would come and watch every match, and he could tell you each and every shot a batter played. That was his level of dedication.”

While Mongia was in common contact with him and would go to him a couple of times per week, the previous India ’keeper-batter believes that Gaekwad by no means received his due. “I have only one regret. I feel the Baroda Cricket Association could have handled the situation better, and it was sad the way he was removed from his coaching role without prior intimation. Given his stature, he deserved more respect, and the way things panned out, it was very unfortunate,” Mongia mentioned.