‘Feared Salgaonkar more than anyone’

Pune: Sandeep Patil, who has worn different hats in Indian cricket, said he has not watched T20 cricket in a stadium as a fan.When asked if the soul of cricket - batsman fearing to lose his wicket and a threat of getting all out for the batting team - is severely compromised in the shortest version of the game, the former dashing batsman said, “T20 cricket is largely for entertainment. Test cricket is the real test of character.”Showing a bracelet with an India cricket cap woven into it, he said, “It’s about taking pride in playing for India (rather than just franchise cricket). “IPL and T20 leagues are good for the money it generates and it gives financial security to a large pool of cricketers, but not beyond.”Patil, who lost the election for Mumbai Cricket Association’s president to politically-backed Amol Kale two years ago, spoke at a talk show organised by PYC Hindu Gymkhana on Monday. He also handed over Prof DB Deodhar scholarship awards to young cricketers of the club.A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team, the 67-year-old was chairman of selectors from 2012 to 2016. Besides, he had served as coach of Indian and Kenya teams and been the director at the National Cricket Academy. Patil said he enjoyed the role of being the captain-cum-coach of the Madhya Pradesh team (1988-89 to 1992-93) the most.“When I was chief selector of the Indian cricket team, I lost some friends,” he said, “And I am not blaming those who felt I did not back them or their players. It’s a part of the job. When I was dropped, I also held grudge against selectors.” Sachin Tendulkar announced retirement from ODI cricket under Patil’s regime.Patil joked that people still remembered his own four hundreds in Tests because it’s “not possible” to remember 100 international hundreds by Tendulkar.One of those Patil’s tons (174) came against the pace of Len Pascoe, Dennis Lillee and Rodney Hogg in the second Test at Adelaide in 1980-81. Patil was hit on the left ear by Pascoe’s bouncer in the first Test at Sydney.“But more than anyone else, the fast bowler I truly feared facing was Maharashtra’s Pandurang Salgaonkar,” said Patil. An explorer of wild life, collector of knives and a good cook, Patil has now been bitten by the painting bug.Saying Pune is closer to his heart, Patil recalled how former Maharashtra stalwart Prof Deodhar watched his batting from the old PYC pavilion. Marvelling at the fitness level of Deodhar and pointing out virtues of great players of his era, he warned: “Just praising these guys is not enough, you have to inculcate at least some of their good points.”
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