Since they shared a record 664 runs partnership in Harris Shield semifinal against St. Xaviers in 1988, Sachin Tendulkar (326) and Vinod Kambli (349) gripped the attention of entire Bombay and soon entire India. While one went on to become the greatest batsman ever in the history of the game, the other has always been an enigma of what he could have been. While one could justify all his talent with aplomb the world over the other remained an unfulfilled talent forever. While one remained away from controversies most of his career, the other kept finding ways and means to create controversies one after the other. Here are two grapevines about these two which will throw some light on their characters.
The Kambli
This story was narrated by my classmate Samir, who himself was a prolific batsman in the Bombay cricket circuit. This was the time when Kambli was the shining star of Bombay and Colonel (Dilip Vengsarkar) was the fading star of Indian cricket. Not to mention that there was competition between the two for the middle order slot in the Indian team. Being a seasoned test player, Vengsarkar enjoyed a VIP treatment and it seems as per the tradition all test players have reserved seats for them in the CCI (or other place I am not so sure now) pavilion (or restaurant I do not remember either) and as a protocol nobody should occupy these seats in their presence. After having occupied his sacred seat for a while Vengsarkar went out to talk to somebody and the grapevine is that Kambli went and occupied the same seat on purpose. Upon his return, Vengsarkar asked Kambli to get up from his place and confident Kambli responded, "Boss, I am sure. I will sit here and there also."
The Tendlya
This incidence was described by eminent local journalist Dwaraknath Sanjhagiri in one of the Ganesh festival programs in Dombivli. Tendulkar was playing in an exhibition game with all big stars like Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Kapil and many more. At the start of an innings, Gavaskar was taking guard with Tendlya at the non-strikers end, Kapil was bowling and Vengsarkar was fielding at mid-off. Kapil bowled a good delivery foxing Gavaskar and there was a huge lbw shout. As Umpire judged it as not out, Vengsarkar asked Sachin while picking up the ball, "काय रे तेंडल्या, आउट होता का?" To which Tendlya said "काही बघीतले नाही यार!" (I did not see proporly boss!) Even a street boy in Bombay knew that Gavaskar and Vengsarkar do not go all that well together and pleasing one would mean alienating the other. The best deal was to remain away from these controversies and as per the Journo Mr. tendlya had that maturity to keep himself away from the controversies right from that tender age.
Unfortunately, Kambli completely lacked this attitude and did not remain focussed on his batting. While Tendlya went on the symbolize all 3Ds, Kambli scored a duck in all of them. Some stories are ironic and Kambli's is certainly one of them.
The Kambli
This story was narrated by my classmate Samir, who himself was a prolific batsman in the Bombay cricket circuit. This was the time when Kambli was the shining star of Bombay and Colonel (Dilip Vengsarkar) was the fading star of Indian cricket. Not to mention that there was competition between the two for the middle order slot in the Indian team. Being a seasoned test player, Vengsarkar enjoyed a VIP treatment and it seems as per the tradition all test players have reserved seats for them in the CCI (or other place I am not so sure now) pavilion (or restaurant I do not remember either) and as a protocol nobody should occupy these seats in their presence. After having occupied his sacred seat for a while Vengsarkar went out to talk to somebody and the grapevine is that Kambli went and occupied the same seat on purpose. Upon his return, Vengsarkar asked Kambli to get up from his place and confident Kambli responded, "Boss, I am sure. I will sit here and there also."
The Tendlya
This incidence was described by eminent local journalist Dwaraknath Sanjhagiri in one of the Ganesh festival programs in Dombivli. Tendulkar was playing in an exhibition game with all big stars like Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Kapil and many more. At the start of an innings, Gavaskar was taking guard with Tendlya at the non-strikers end, Kapil was bowling and Vengsarkar was fielding at mid-off. Kapil bowled a good delivery foxing Gavaskar and there was a huge lbw shout. As Umpire judged it as not out, Vengsarkar asked Sachin while picking up the ball, "काय रे तेंडल्या, आउट होता का?" To which Tendlya said "काही बघीतले नाही यार!" (I did not see proporly boss!) Even a street boy in Bombay knew that Gavaskar and Vengsarkar do not go all that well together and pleasing one would mean alienating the other. The best deal was to remain away from these controversies and as per the Journo Mr. tendlya had that maturity to keep himself away from the controversies right from that tender age.
Unfortunately, Kambli completely lacked this attitude and did not remain focussed on his batting. While Tendlya went on the symbolize all 3Ds, Kambli scored a duck in all of them. Some stories are ironic and Kambli's is certainly one of them.
2 comments:
Matter and anti-matter...
Hari,
Analogy seems excellent on prima facie but when I thought in depth I found it to be false.
Tendulkar is a matter....perfectly true. But, Kambli can't be termed as anti-matter. He annihilated only himself not others as by definition the anti-matter would do.
Scientific mind at work :p
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