Srikkanth praised him as a great bowler but never stood by him when it came to TN selection in the 1980s
This writer was at the Pachaiyappas College ‘B’ ground for
the early season clash in the TNCA first division league in 1987. A high
profile Alwarpet that included K Srikkanth (just a few months away from the
World Cup) took on RBI, a team of well settled bankers. His clash with the
leggie of RBI was an eagerly awaited clash on the opening day. Srikkanth did
not open the batting and came to bat in the 2nd half of the day. Just 18 months prior, he had smashed an international leggie from Australia all
over the park. Hence, the onlookers were keen on how this local leg spinner
would handle the star player (those days, crowds thronged wherever Srikkanth
played, even if it was just a local league match).
But it was a day that left them disappointed as the
leggie got him almost immediately sweeping a big turning leg break into the
hands of deep square leg. Later that day, at the tea break, Srikkanth in his
typical flamboyant style yelled out in Tamizh at the leg spinner ‘Payithiyam da nee. Moolaiye Illai. Zonal Cricket and India Aadeerkalam. Athai Vittutu, inga vanthu RBI Ku aadeendirukka,
finding happiness in getting me out in this match’ (You are mad with no
brains. You could have played for Central Zone and India. Instead you are
playing a local league match here)
That’s how Srikkanth addressed S Madhavan after
congratulating him on his wicket in front of all those who had gathered around
the Indian star that day. Srikkanth felt that it was a big mistake on the part
of Madhavan to have quit a Railways job that took way an opportunity to continue to
play for them in the Ranji Trophy and to figure in the Zonal team. Well over 30
years ago, Srikkanth had felt that had Madhavan continued with the Railways, he
would have given himself a great chance to play for India, for he was amongst
the wickets in almost every match with his big turning leg breaks and the
googlies.
It was a series of letters that led him to his
sudden resignation from ICF to join a rather cricket un-fancied RBI. And that
spelt death knell for him in terms of growth in his cricket career. As sudden
as this decision was also his transformation, a few years earlier, into a leg spinner.
Humble
beginnings at Somasundaram Ground
Madhavan belonged to a middle class family. His
father was far away from cricket and did not understand even the basics of the
game. As was the case in those days, the ‘order’ was to not spend too much time
on the cricket field. A student of RKM North, Madhavan spent the evenings at
Somasundaram ground watching the nets organized by ‘YSCA’ Gurumurthy. He was
already playing for his school as a wicketkeeper batsman along with NP Sridhar
(elder brother of NP Madhavan).
Seeing his height and interest in cricket,
Gurumurthy asked the young boy to bowl in the ‘cricket ball nets’ (there was
also a younger group that played tennis ball but Madhavan was taken
straightaway into the cricket ball nets) alongside TA Sekar.
Accidental move into a leg spinner
One of those days, he struck Gurumurthy twice on
the arm with fast paced balls leaving him furious at this school boy. Having to
strictly follow the directions to bowl a little slow, Madhavan just tried a leg
break from a few steps. The ball pitched and turned square beating Gurumurthy
all ends up leaving everyone stunned. And there was no looking back since. A
new leg spinner had been born that day, in rather accidental circumstances.
So impressed was Gurumurthy that he included
Madhavan in the Rising Stars league team within a few months. That was a big
boost for the teenager. During that phase, he played three years in a row for
TNCA Colts, a very popular team - comprising of the best of league players-
that made an annual outstation trip to another city to play a Colts team from
another State.
A pleased father
His performances at Guru Nanak College helped him
secure a Quasi Governmental job at Food Corporation of India where he played
alongside Ramdayani, Jillu Ramesh and ‘Bond’ Venkatasubramaniam. It was during
one of those inter zonal matches at FCI that his father came to know of him as
a cricketer. After he taken 6 wickets against the East Zone team of FCI,
Madhavan led the team back with the ball held in his hand. His father enquired
as to why he was coming ahead of all other players and the reason for holding
the ball high and showing to all. It was only then that his father knew that his son was a performer
on the cricket field though, unfortunately, that was not going to be enough
convincing as Madhavan found out a few years later in his life.
Find of the
Season at Alwarpet
In 1977, Alwarpet was looking for a wicket keeper
batsman. Scouting for talent, VAP and P Mukund turned up at the Somasundaram
Ground and were in for a surprise. Instead of the keeper their eyes fell on a
big turning leggie whose every ball landed on the spot. At the official trials
at the Union ground, it took just 3 balls at the nets for Satwendar Singh to
declare him as the ‘Find of the Season’ for the team.
Extraordinary Ranji Debut this month 37
years ago
Impressive performances for Alwarpet especially in
the Buchi Babu Tournament led to ICF offering him a clerical post. ICF was also
in the first division in that period and he quit FCI. This move opened an
unexpected door for him. While the Ranji squad had already been finalized
(without much of a formal selection process – the Railways was a huge national
institution and selection of players from across the country was always a
tedious process), Railways captain Hyder Ali chanced upon Madhavan in the nets
and within minutes of watching him bowl wanted him in his team.
It was 37 years ago this week that he debuted in
Ranji Trophy. In the very first innings, he had a 5 wicket haul and ended with
8 wickets on his debut against Vidarbha end of November 1981. In a year that
Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy, Madhavan has pleasant memories of that debut
against them “I picked 8 wickets against them in my very first match. My
captain Hyder Ali was very impressed with my performance and he had a lot of
confidence in my abilities.”
“In fact, that season, when I was sleeping on the floor
in a curled way in shivering cold, Hyder came up to me and asked if I had had
dinner. When I told him, I had Curd rice, he was red with anger. A bowler has
to eat better and he dragged me to a restaurant and got me chappatis. He wanted
me to be a match winner and took special care of me” says Madhavan of the way
the highly respected figure of Hyder Ali took care of this ‘boy’ from Madras.
An Obedient son lets go a Cricket Career
He followed this with a 4 wicket haul in the very
next innings and performed creditably in the Ranji Season. He was in contention
for the Central Zone team that played the touring English team in January 1982
and given the English team’s struggle against leg spin that season, was
considered a certainty for that match. But a dramatic turn of events completely
took even Madhavan by surprise. During the period of his star performances in
the Ranji Trophy that season, he received a series of postal letters from his
father, who retired later from Caltex India.
The content in each of the hand written letters was
rather similar. His father wanted him to return to Madras and join RBI. While
he knew his father’s lack of interest in cricket, he just could not understand
this approach of his father, especially at a time when he was in his best phase
of his cricket career. But like an obedient son he put in his papers with the
Railways all of a sudden, in the middle of a great season leaving Hyder Ali
stunned. The Ranji Knock out was to soon
follow and he was all excited to bowl to Botham and Co in the tour match end of
January 1982. But his enthusiasm was killed in the bud and he returned to
Madras.
Within a few days, the cricket life turned gloomy.
The decision sounded death knell for his growing cricket career. He was at the
peak of his prowess. His father was not convinced about prospects in cricket
and wanted him to settle down in a secure ’10 to 5’ Bank job. In those days,
RBI was considered a high profile institution as compared to other banks.
From taking on Botham on-field to ‘Net Bowler’ for England
By the time England toured India again 3 years
later, life had turned a full cycle for Madhavan. He was now asked by the TNCA
to be a net bowler for England on a request by the touring team to improve
their skills against leg spin (they had struggled against LS in the first two
tests of the series). From a leggie who was all excited to challenge Gatting
and Botham ‘on the ground’ a few years ago, he was now a net bowler at Chepauk
bowling to the same set of batsmen.
Madhavan remembers that day when even David Gower
struggled against his googlies in the nets “The English team asked their
manager Norman Gifford to check as to ‘I had in my hand that I was weaving such
magic on them in the nets’ as their left handers repeatedly were left stranded
by my googlies.”
He continued to play for RBI in the first division league in Madras and kept taking lots of wickets every season. But selection in the TN squad remained elusive. He has picked up 8 wickets in an innings on over 10 occasions and countless five wicket hauls that took his league teams to victory.
Off Spinner NS Ramesh, who joined RBI exactly a month before Madhavan, was an integral part of the team through the 1980s. He says that it was a delight to watch top ranked batsmen with India credentials struggle against him, most times unable to even read him.
He continued to play for RBI in the first division league in Madras and kept taking lots of wickets every season. But selection in the TN squad remained elusive. He has picked up 8 wickets in an innings on over 10 occasions and countless five wicket hauls that took his league teams to victory.
Off Spinner NS Ramesh, who joined RBI exactly a month before Madhavan, was an integral part of the team through the 1980s. He says that it was a delight to watch top ranked batsmen with India credentials struggle against him, most times unable to even read him.
Having seen Madhavan’s spell and worried that the
Englishmen would be better prepared against LS at Chepauk, the Indian officials
that evening asked Madhavan to bowl short and full tosses the next day so as to
not get the Englishmen equipped against leg spin. A furious Madhavan refused
and walked out of that as well (England amassed a huge total in that test)!!!
Opposition feared the potent spin combination of Sri Krishna and Madhavan and rarely did they get to play on turners.
Ramesh says that Madhavan was easily much better than all of the current day leg spinners ‘PUT TOGETHER’, such was his class “The selectors simply lacked insight and failed to recognise the brilliance of Madhu.”
‘Bond’ Venkatasubramaniam used to keep wickets in
the 70s to Madhavan with a piece of stone place on either side of the pitch. He
was the one who encouraged Madhavan to bowl the leggies and googlies on a particular
spot. So brilliant was Madhavan and so interesting was he with his variations,
that we would continue this model for hours together each day of the year, says
Venkatasubramaniam looking back at those days before Madhavan became a first
division cricketer.
LS 'Promoted'
Venkatasubramaniam, who kept to the legendary Venkataraghavan for four years at India Pistons, is vocal on how LS was projected and promoted ahead of Madhavan “Immediately after he returned from a successful Ranji season, the TN selectors completely ignored him for they were focused on promoting LS, despite the fact that LS rarely took big wickets in the local league and subsequently even quit bowling.”
Venkatasubramaniam, who kept to the legendary Venkataraghavan for four years at India Pistons, is vocal on how LS was projected and promoted ahead of Madhavan “Immediately after he returned from a successful Ranji season, the TN selectors completely ignored him for they were focused on promoting LS, despite the fact that LS rarely took big wickets in the local league and subsequently even quit bowling.”
The scenario that decade (it hasn’t changed much
since) was that it was difficult for players from lower ranked team to figure
in state squads. In a TNCA Express one day tournament in the 1980s, there were
only 11 players in a particular match (Srikkanth and CS Suresh did not play
that match). And yet Madhavan was not included and replaced at the last moment
in the playing XI by a player who did not find a place in the original squad
and who was even present at the ground at the time of the toss.
A frustrated Madhavan walked out on captain TE
(Srinivasan) and reached the bank. CB Selvakumar was shocked to see Madhavan in
office when his match was on. It was one of those days when Madhavan felt
really insulted at the way things were run “Not belonging to a top corporate team proved to be a clear
drawback. But I could do little about it. I sought the support of Shri Somasundaram,
the then Sports Secretary to get fair treatment for RBI’s players. He was such
a gem of a person. He asked me to just keep performing on the field and get
selected based on my performance.”
“While I was
angry that morning with the sports secretary for being silent in the wake of
such injustice, looking back, I feel really happy that he wanted the
performance to speak for each player and not support from clubs and
secretaries.”
Srikkanth lets him down
In the final of the Buchi Babu tournament played on
a turner at Chepauk, Captain Srikkanth once again overlooked Madhavan, when it
would have been ideal to have played him. This despite all his talk of Madhavan being one with potential to play for India. These left a bitter taste on Madhavan. TA Sekar, with whom Madhavan bowled at the nets at the Somasundaram ground as a teenager, says that if Madhavan had played for a big team in the first division league, he may have had a better chance to get into the State team.
ICC Elite Panel Umpire S Ravi who has known
Madhavan from the days at Somasundaram Ground and who has seen him very closely
says that Madhavan
never missed a single practice session and that he would bowl long spells at
the nets trying a lot of variations that then reflected during his spells in
matches “While both as a person and a cricketer he was always confident and had
lot of self belief and should have definitely played higher level, in sports, it
is important to be at the right place at the right time. And maybe he was not.”
One of the Best Leggies
Former Ranji Trophy
winning captain S Vasudevan, who was with Alwarpet when Madhavan joined the
team in the late 1970s rates him as one of the best leggies he has seen and
calls it ‘unfortunate’ that he did not get to play for the state.
It was not a phase when youngsters overruled their parents, especially in matters relating to career. In Madhavan’s case, he simply accepted the directions of his father and quit Railways right in the middle of a successful debut season to join RBI, leaving by the way side his cricket career. With Venkat and Vasudevan still an integral part of the TN team and with LS the rising star of TN cricket and the 'boy' that TNCA backed, it was always going to be an uphill task for Madhavan to breakthrough into the team. He remained hopeful through the decade but the opportunity remained elusive and forever it was a distant dream for Madhavan.
No regrets with RBI
He, however, does not regret taking the ‘father’s call’ to move to RBI. The team had a terrific spin attack and he enjoyed bowling out stronger opposition time and again in the TNCA first division league. He forged great long term friendship with a number of teammates. He has been able to develop his interest in singing and now presents light music concerts.
He, however, does not regret taking the ‘father’s call’ to move to RBI. The team had a terrific spin attack and he enjoyed bowling out stronger opposition time and again in the TNCA first division league. He forged great long term friendship with a number of teammates. He has been able to develop his interest in singing and now presents light music concerts.
But when it came to cricket and opportunities in Tamil Nadu, while there was all round appreciation of his talent including from the likes of Srikkanth, when it finally came to the Selection process, they give his name a miss when he was at his peak in the 1980s.
This year marks the 47th year of his non-stop
presence in the TNCA league having begun in 1972-73. No player in the history
of the league would have played this long with the passion he has displayed
over such almost five decades. Aged 63, he recently grabbed the headline with a
5 wicket haul in the league. His hand and shoulder have become weaker with age
and the ball is a lot slower in the air but he still manages to produce the big
turning leg break and the googly to fox the young batsmen. He continues to turn
up at the ground at 8.15 am on the day of the league match much ahead of all
other players in the team and bowls with the mind of a young boy wanting to
beat the batsman and get his wicket leaving both his own teammates as well as
the opposition dumbfounded at his eagerness to take wickets.
It is unlikely he will retire anytime soon and only an age clause can get anyone to keep the red cherry away from Madhavan.
35 comments:
Madhu is not just a leggie, he has a multifaceted personality. A good Singer & mimicry artist.
He was very humorous and was popular among RBI Family. he is very affectionate friend .
may god bless you Madhu with good health and long life.
Great madhavan.
Superb Prabhu.Madhu deserves all the praise.You have done a wonderful job.Keep it up and God bless u.
Nice Article. Hats off to Madhu.
One of the best spinners for many years
very sad story
In cricket politics will always be.
That's why those who are deserved
Could not come up to a higher level.
Madhu is not an exception.
Quit from railways is the greatest blunder he did otherwise he could have
Played for India because of his potential.
Disappointed that a talent was wasted
Nice article. Very true. It's not a case of Madhavan alone. Corporates had to get good representation in states/ national levels, otherwise in those days they had no chance of competing with psbs so this back door operations during my days I have seen it happen. There was no fairness in selection and even now it continues. Whoever was a chamcha then and now, they are coaches now.
No wonder after 2010, i.e. after Dinesh Karthik no cricketer worth his salt has emerged. Poor parents- I see them standing in MAC stadium hoping for their ward to make it big in cricket!!! No chance with till these chamchas are coaches.
Madhavan is not an isolated case. There are many many people who suffered because of certain coteries of TNCA. MAY BE RICH BUT TNCA IS A FAILED ASSOCIATION OF SYMCOPHANTS.
Parthasarathy
Superb.
Lots to learn from Madhu Sir's story.
A wonderful tribute. A talent gone waste. But he has still not lost his zest for the game and life! Proud to have you as a friend, Madhu
I am his neighbour late 1980.
On the match day he used to support his sister and mother for domestic work.
Lifting water from well.washing clothes.
After that he used to go to match and perform
Amazing personality
I have a great oppurtunity to keep wickets for a match
He has taken 5 wickets
He could have taken all 10.
The reason both batsman and wicket keeper not able to read is Googly.
Great person long live Madhu
He is one of the best leggies in the world but his talent had gone unnoticed by the then selectors. Bad luck for Madhavan
Madhu is a legend and a loving big brother, and a rare gem.
Superb
I am proud that I also played along with sir..a great motivator and a humble person. Salute to you sir
Memory unwound!
Nice read
Incidentally teamates with s.madhavan in RBI in 88-9 as a bat and at Swaraj cc n 2 nd div.in 2003-4 as a half spinner!All along though ,well b4 and after 2017(when cricket gave me up and my under arm!) he still wheels away with enthu and with eager excitement ,wearing his heart on his sleeve ,plotting and planning ,with am sure the odd lament,rant at an erring fielder and a grouse with the ump,when denied a lbw shout ;)
A classical (&a singer too,btw)bowler ,supple wristed ,almost double jointed -old timers called him bent!)to whom fate was not kind .The key to know is whether he regrets the move to RBI from ICF,for individual success in a team game is difficult to trace and abstract complex topics like "Circumstances,Opportunities ,whilst "fit "and in "red hot form "are way too difficult to comprehend..
All the same a genial,jovial guy with acute sense of observation and timely one liners to douse the tension!👍💐
It helps to have childish enthu.
His sense of preparation as a batsman was ready to face every ball, unfailing check of top hand, bottom band positions revealed a sense of prof.routines &innate disciplines.Aside of this,he loved his "NET-TIME"!
Pattabhi
DEar Prabhu ~ well written and making me becoming melancholic on the class of Madhavan that faded away without ever getting the due recognition. Remember having seen him many a times at Triplicane without realising his greatness. Probably next time, when I see him would walk to him and greet him, if only, it is not any embarassment to him. .. great post, yet would perhaps been happier if not coming to know such sad things- afterall ignorance is bliss - S. Sampathkumar
Well written! Madhavan is a gentle giant amongst us all. Keep it going Madhava! Cheers,
- Soma
Good one Prabhu .. very deserving guy .. We dint get our dues ..
but I think it was a decision that most of us from that kind of background would have taken ..
He shouldn’t regret it now ..
And I feel it’s too late to even discuss about it.
PC
God shall richly bless him for he obeyed his father's command.
He is such a great spinner a born cricketer of great gifts with ever growing love for the game and undiminishing zeal to excel. Extraordinary.
Well not everyone knows that there a wonderful musician in him... He is as naturally gifted as a singer with a fine ear for beautiful music.
God Bless him.
Am very proud to be a part of this legends playing era.
Stay blessed Maadhu
Madhusudhan C
Beautiful article infact he has not mentioned me along with Sekar myself and G Ramesh made him leg spinner played for friends eleven He was a dashing opening bat and my partner before I got a job in S.B.I And he switch over to Railways One among the unluckiest cricketer of Tamil Nadu by S Kedarnath SBI
One of the most heartfelt stories. Sad that there are so many who don't get the recognition they deserve.
Regards
Mukund
Thanks for sharing! Your next post, should have a happy ending, where the player's talent is recognized and he makes it big.
Regards
Mukund
Well Deserving article sir! Great tribute to you! I am extremely pleased to read this
Played against him today. If I am correct this is his 50th year in TNCA league. I hope there's some function or celebration for this success.I feel so privileged to have played against him. Nice Article
As I'm slowly catching up your fascinating blog-posts that I recently discovered, if I'm not mistaken, this is the same Madhavan who was my classmate and close friend, more because of common interest in cricket, at RKM North. As the WI under Sobers were touring then, he'd buy his notebooks at a place where they gave wrappers with a picture of Sobers (and Anju sometimes) and he even shared one with me
Though I did maintain a blog myself, should say I'm so amazed at your patience, passion and such deep digging into the lives of these personalities ....and that make it interesting read !!
Thank you !!
Thank You for the kind words.
PRabhu
Prabhu superb article.Madhavan is the finest leg spinner I have seen.He was a finger spinner and could bowl leg spin,googly and the top spin at will.
In my opinion he could have played for the country.I feel priviliged that I have played with him for many years and there is no one who could know his ability more than I.
Madhavan is a very friendly and versatile person. This positive and ever smiling person was my colleague in RBI.
Why anonymous? Why don't you share your name.....
RBI? Then you can't be anonymous
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