Vengsarkar playing his cards well

Dilip Vengsarkar, who has 'lorded' over the selection committee and who many feel is being treated badly by the Indian cricket Board, may actually be getting away with butter and cream in the ongoing tussle that is proving an embarrassment for virtually all concerned.

Contrary to a popular perception that the former India skipper is being deprived of his livelihood, he might actually be compensated for a loss that he would never have incurred had he not been chief selector.

It is pure common sense that a chief selector or captain gets paid more for columns and media appearances than any other player, for they are capable of giving you more insight into team strategies and decisions than anyone else.

Think of it, the regional newspaper that has reportedly been a source of some 40 lakh rupees for Vengsarkar over the last year, is likely welcoming his columns only because he is the chief selector. The monetary terms for such arrangements change according to the position of the columnist and to be compensated on those terms by the BCCI would just be a favour handed to him by Sharad Pawar.

As for his reported interest in a certain player management firm, it is definitely a conflict of interest in his two jobs and can open a lot many possibilities. Mahendra Dhoni may be a deserving captain in ODIs, but he is managed by this group, as is Munaf Patel, who is carried with the team time and again, even if his physical fitness is a constant cause of embarrassment.

Vengsarkar is right when he says that the terms needed to have been put in place before he took over the job, but seems to be leveraging the crucial time well to arm-wrestle his way to what he wants.

As far as the guidelines are concerned, they are pretty reasonable, especially the point restraining selectors from entering the players’ dressing rooms as it is invading on their privacy. The job of the five wise men is to look at performances of the players on the field, and if they need any other feedback, talk to the coach or captain.

One of the main reasons for Dravid’s resignation is reported to have been this point. Whether or not dropping India’s Test sheet-anchor in ODIs was a vindictive move might be contested, but Vengsarkar should remember that he is not obliging any of the players by giving them substantial runs.

There are not many players who are capable of being very consistent and performing in all situations and conditions, however big the names might be, including Vengsarkar.

Vengsarkar, who scored close to seven thousand Test runs in 116 Tests, was himself given a fine run by selectors after his century for Mumbai in the Irani Cup earned him an India cap. The ‘Colonel’ took 11 Tests and over two years to notch up his maiden half-century in Tests and 17 Tests and over three years for his maiden century.

Interestingly, Vengsarkar, who reportedly grudges the fact that his name is not taken along with greats like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, has failed to notch up a century outside of India and England, where he is famous for his three tons at Lord’s.

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