Shaz believes India’s graph is northward bound

Namaste England

A night on the tiles with Ravi Shastri in upscale Mayfair’s Shepherd’s Market was not only terrific fun, but also a sort of restoration of faith in Indian cricket.

Shastri, former captain, all-rounder, currently commentator and for a brief while (all too brief, say some of the players) manager of the side to Bangladesh, says that he is convinced Indian cricket is on the way up again.

“Some of the experienced blokes have taken up the responsibility to bring the team back on an even keel, and some of the young guys are highly talented, so I see no problem for the future, provided the focus is right and the momentum maintained,” says Shastri as we hang around King’s Arms pub.

A building away is the De Grapes pub where “Frank Sinatra also came and sang in the 60s,” says Shastri. It’s Saturday night, and Shepherd’s Market, with its famous pubs and wonderful little eateries, is getting to be a little raucous as the revellers shed their inhibitions.

“For Indian cricket to succeed,” Shastri brings the main subject back into focus, “the attitude has to be right. I don’t think talent is the issue.” On this tour, he has particularly liked what he has seen of Zaheer Khan; also Piyush Chawla and Munaf Patel from the one-dayer at Bristol. “Zaheer’s been consistently aggressive, and bowled with a lot of heart. He has come of age,” says Shastri, who also liked Munaf’s gruff demeanour in Bristol.

“His body language was good. You can’t allow batsmen to dominate you psychologically, even if you have been hit for a four. For my money, he was the best bowler in that game.”

For all that, Shastri believes that England are tough opponents in the one day series. “They have a young side, and are hungry for success after the defeat in the Tests. India will have to watch out.”’ And some more, I say.

In Rutnagur’s company 

Had a delightfully unexpected reunion-of-sorts with Dicky Rutnagur in a pub on King’s Road off Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Dicky had stopped by to “wet his parched throat after a bout hectic shopping”, and within minutes, the virtues of Dutch Lager had given way to the ways of Indian cricket.

For those not in the know, Dicky used to be the voice and words of Indian cricket through the 60s and 70s. A fun-loving Parsi from Mumbai, he was ubiquitous, through his commentary for All India Radio, and his columns which appeared in sundry papers in India. Along with the late KN Prabhu, he was considered the doyen of cricket writing.

Past his 80th, and supported by a walking stick, Dicky has been grappling with ill-health for a while, but has lost none of his joi de vivre for life, nor his zest for cricket. Over a half pint of beer, he said that he had retired from pro-active cricket reporting, but was still active in following the game.

“I was at the Tests that Indian played this summer, and also go to county matches at Lord’s and the Oval in London,” says Dicky. His take on the Indian team this summer? “They were good, but could be so much better.” Now, have I heard this before?

Forever Becks                

Meanwhile, I learn that David Beckham will be rested from LA Galaxy’s next game against Colorado Rapids because of his troubled ankle. Beckham, it might be remembered has limped off after Galaxy’s defeat 0-3 by Chivas on Thursday barely 30 hours after he had turned out for England against Germany, raising questions not only about his fitness, but also his worth to the team.

In a report in Saturday’s Guardian, Galaxy general manager Alexei Lalas accepted that Beckham’s ability come to terms with so much travel and so much play is a source of concern. “If at any point we felt it was detrimental to his health or ability to help our team, we would take action,” said Lalas.

Has that point been reached already is the moot question. To know my views, read my lips.