Fielding wasn't important in those days: India's oldest living Test cricketer

We did not consider fielding as important in those days. If one was a good batsman, that's enough. Now everybody has realised that fielding is very important. During a Test match between India and Australia (in the 1940s), an Australian dived full length to take a catch. I applauded it saying, “What a catch!".

His reply was: “We are told right from school days that unless one is a good fielder, he is not going to be selected for Australia”. The Australians are taught the importance of fielding at the school level itself. That’s why they are good fielders. Unfortunately, it was not the case with India in those days. We are doing it now, alright.

The way Australians are brought up is interesting. I captained Indian Universities against Australian Services led by (Test great) Lindsay Hassett in 1945-46. Hassett was out for 95, clean bowled. It was tea time and the practice was for the home team to invite the visitors for tea. I went to call Hassett and he was removing his pads. I said to him, “Well played, bad luck”.

His reply was: “95 and clean bowled”. You could make out he was not happy with his score and the manner in which he was dismissed. After all, it was not an important match, it was not a Test match. Still, the way they were brought up and how they took the game seriously was something to be admired.

Madhav Mantri
92, India’s oldest living Test cricketer

(As told to G Krishnan)