Remembering Vijay Hazare the legend as domestic cricket event in his names attracts big stars!
Superstars of Indian cricket having to compete in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it is being made out like some kind of punishment. No, that is a false narrative, as nowhere in the world are cricketers supposed to be playing only internationals. It is only in recent times, since the fiasco in the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series Down Under, at the start of the year, someone like Virat KohIi being ‘forced’ to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi made news.
To say that Kohli had shunned domestic cricket would be a harsh statement. For someone who played Ranji Trophy even a day after his father had passed away, many years ago, his commitment to cricket can never be questioned. At the same time, excess international cricket plus an overlap with domestic cricket meant, Kohli did miss Ranji Trophy matches for Delhi.
The narrative, now, is about how Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and a whole bunch of star cricketers will be turning out for their respective states in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. How many in this generation would know about the great man, who was born in 1915 and lived till the age of 89.
It is part of Indian cricketing folklore, Hazare led India in the 1947/48 series to Australia, the first, and made a mark. A century in both the innings of the Adelaide Test made him a celebrity. Add to it his unconventional bowling as well, he was effective. For the record, he had taken Don Bradman’s wicket as well. Just 30 Tests is less for Hazare to have featured in, but he did entertain Bombay, when he and Vijay Merchant played domestic cricket at the Brabourne Stadium. Imagine, what a sight it must have been for these two cricketers to attract crowd of around 25,000. If this was the response to Hazare and Merchant, it showed Indian cricket fans were passionate about the sport much before limited overs cricket had become popular.
The domestic ODI competition has been named after Vijay Hazare, which is good. Again, it did not happen yesterday! The man must be smiling in heaven, hearing names of former captains and current captains featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Frankly speaking, playing domestic cricket should be seen as joy, not punishment. For the record, former greats of Indian cricket -- Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and GR Vishy included -- did play domestic cricket.
For a Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill and SKY to feature in these matches in different cities is wonderful. The lament for long has been about superstars missing domestic cricket. Now comes the change, a good one. That the calendar also permits is good, for which the BCCI needs to be complimented. As far as Kohli and Rohit are concerned, they have been preparing in right earnest. They play just one international format, now, the ODIs. So, to get in practice is important for them. At the same time, a Shubman Gill struggling has become butt of ridicule.
Indeed, for those who are broadcasting the Vijay Hazare Trophy, it is a delight. And for fans who do not get to see these big names in international cricket, it’s a win-win situation. Thank you Vijay Hazare Sir, you are truly being remembered again.
