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Gursharan Singh: Doing a good turn to many

Chandraboli Mitra | Cricketnext.com

Posted on May 22, 2008 at 15:19 | Updated May 22, 2008 at 16:59

Even after a long and grueling practice session under the scorching summer sun, budding cricketers are full of energy as they go about their paces under the keen eye of Gursharan Singh at the Gyan Bharti School at Saket in New Delhi.

The strong bonding that he shares with his wards is very evident and the trainees take every word of his seriously, not minding being scolded often because they know he really cares for his wards.

It is not just cricketing skills that he helps his students develop or enhance, but also extends monetary support to the less privileged ones, besides providing them with cricket kits, clothes and shoes.

There are about 20 students who are not charged, besides those who have already made it to the Ranji Trophy level.

"I feel good when I am able to help youngsters by giving them some financial assistance as there were people who helped us when we were growing up as well," said Gursharan humbly.

Gursharan captained Punjab to their only Ranji Trophy triumph in 1992-93. He played 71 Ranji Trophy matches scoring 4,053 runs at an average of 46.70 with 12 centuries and 21 half-centuries. His highest score was 298 not out against Bengal in the quarterfinals at the Eden Gardens in 1989.

As a successful coach for 14 years now, he has produced 40 students who have played at the state level, some of whom look talented enough to play international cricket in the coming years.

Abib Labasha (Madhya Pradesh), Priyank Hooda (Haryana) and Rahul Prasad (Jharkhand) are some of this trainees making their presence felt on the domestic circuit while others like Manav Sharma, Ankur Julkha and Pratik Pawar have showed promise at the under-22 level.

Talking very passionately about his coaching style, the Punjab batsman explained: "I first judge a child and observe his strengths and weaknesses - whether he is good at batting or bowling. But I always stress on natural skills. If a child is about 10 or 11 years old, a coach can still change a few things but if he is 13 or 14, it is recommended not to try and change his style. But whatever it is, the basics or the fundamentals need to be really very clear, and then sky is the limit."

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Even though he played just one Test match (against New Zealand at Auckland in 1990) and a solitary One-day International (against Australia at Hamilton), he played first-class cricket for 15 years and holds the world record of maximum catches (four) as a substitute fielder in the Ahmedabad Test against the West Indies in 1984.

However, he declared gracefully that he had no regrets about not being able to play more for the country.

"I don't have regrets. I think there were more talented players than me, who couldn't play for India even once. About myself, I would say that it was me who is to be blamed for not been able to play more. I used to get out in the 30s or 40s. When the West Indies came, I played in the tour matches, where I thrice scored in the 40s. If I got out in the 40s, then it is not anyone else's fault. Had I been able to score a couple of hundreds more, I could have played more for India. Nonetheless, I am happy and content," said Gursharan, who works with the Steel Authority of India Limited at the managerial level.

And although he might not have been able to play for the country as much as he would have liked to but his attitude and temperament is something that has earned praises from every quarter, including some of the biggest names in the cricketing world.

'Master-blaster Sachin Tendulkar has heaved special praises for Gursharan in his book.

It was before the tour of Pakistan that Tendulkar was playing his fourth or fifth match in a Rest of India game in which Gursharan was the vice-captain of his team.

In the first innings, Tendulkar got out for five runs and in that very innings Gursharan fractured a finger.

However, in the second innings, the 'little master' was playing superbly, batting on 70 odd runs but the Punjab batsman was not in a position to bat with a plaster on his finger. But he was told to pad up when nine wickets were down in order to help Sachin get a hundred.

The brave batsman went in when Tendulkar was on 84, batted with one hand to ensure Tendulkar get a hundred and ensure a ticket on the flight to Pakistan.

And as Gursharan fondly recites the incident, one can notice a spark in his eyes when he proudly mutters that Sachin has also mentioned about this episode in his book and has written: 'The guts Gursharan showed, I can never forget.'

His dedication has also been recognised and honoured by other top cricketers of the country as well. In 2005, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif all played in his benefit match at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

And while he humbly talks about all this, one can still see that never-say-die attitude and child like enthusiasm as he gushes he works seven days a week as a coach.

"I come to the ground even if I have fever and spend time with my wards and I feel just fine," said Gursharan, who was trained by Dronacharya awardee Gurcharan Singh during his days at the Air Force Bal Bharati School in New Delhi.

Recently, Gursharan took over as the Punjab Ranji Trophy coach when they lost 11 players to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) at the start of the 2007-08 season, but he did well to motivate a bunch of youngsters and made them give their best performance.