 "Exclusive | Tragic Bengaluru stampede could have been avoided: Ex-Indian cricketer Ajay Mehra")
Could the heartbreaking Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 people have been completely avoided? Most people who track Indian cricket seem to think so and that in itself is a shocking verdict on what happened. So many innocent lives could have been saved with just a little bit of better planning and saner thinking.
In the middle of all of this, spare a thought for the RCB players and coaching staff. For the first time since the inception of the IPL, the team have become champions and instead of being over the moon thanks to a fantastic season, where the team really came together and performed like a cohesive unit, they will perhaps forever associate this season with the numbing tragedy that unfolded at their own home ground – the M Chinnasawamy stadium.
Prominent commentator and former cricketer Ajay Mehra, who played for teams like Punjab and Rajasthan in Indian domestic cricket, across 59 matches, with a highest score of 200 not out in First-Class cricket and who is also the son of former India Test player, Vijay Mehra, is someone who also feels that the entire fiasco in Bengaluru could have been avoided. He also feels that it’s unfair to blame any of the RCB players for what happened.
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Ajay Mehra talks about the tragic stampede in Bengaluru, what RCB did right this season to finally clinch the trophy that had eluded them for 17 years, MS Dhoni’s IPL future and also touched upon what new India Test captain Shubman Gill needs to do to be an effective and confident skipper on the tour of England.
This is part one of an exclusive interview with the former cricketer and commentator.
Firstpost: I want to begin by asking you about the tragic stampede in Bengaluru. It is truly mind-numbing to see episodes like this play out, despite multiple precedents in the past. We had a deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh earlier this year itself. Your take on whether this tragedy could well have been avoided…
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAjay Mehra: What happened was very, very unfortunate. We know what the fan following for RCB is like and it has just been growing over the years. It is really sad. Everybody is of course taking into account what happened in Bengaluru, but I feel that this could have been avoided. I don’t want to comment on who might have been responsible for this, but the whole thing was just very sad. Everything went so well for RCB and then with what happened at the victory procession, that marred things. It is really sad.
FP: We have seen the head of marketing and revenue at RCB being arrested and a police complaint against Virat Kohli as well, by an activist. Your take on whether it’s fair to blame the players for any of this…
AM: The players had no role to play in this at all. They were just celebrating their win. How can they be held responsible? It’s utterly wrong. What happened was just very sad.
FP: Looking ahead – the BCCI has said that they will work on preparing a plan to hold victory processions in a better, safer way in the future, trying to bring all the franchises on board. We have seen huge victory parades in the past, but it’s only when tragedies like these occur that we realise just how important it is to organise such events better. This plan by the BCCI will be a much-needed step, you think?
AM: Well, we see how the IPL is conducted. Full marks to the BCCI for the way they have conducted the IPL over the years. This year also there was a break and then it restarted. We all know it’s not easy. The logistics aren’t easy. But I am sure what happened is a lesson for everyone. The BCCI will be taking this into consideration and I am quite sure that from next year onwards things will be much better. There have to be proper arrangements (for a victory procession/celebration). I don’t know exactly what went wrong this time. The fan following for every franchise is just so huge. It keeps growing.
FP: Let’s talk about the on-field cricket now. RCB winning their first IPL title. Overall, it was a great season for them, they played like a unit, the new signings came good. Your take on what went right for RCB, on the field, this season…
AM: I have always believed that over the years RCB has always lacked the bowling resources. This year the difference for me was that their bowling was spot on. They had a very good bowling combination. Of course, we all know that Virat Kohli is there. He is a big name. They have had some quality players over the years – Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and others. So, I always thought that their strength was their batting. But the one department they were really lacking in was the bowling.
This year I thought where the team has really evolved and come good was the bowling, led by someone like Josh Hazlewood, then there was Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya. Pandya has actually been exceptional. Sometimes we don’t recognise what these players do, but the kind of spells he bowled, along with someone like Suyash was really good. Both of them are wicket-takers.
Then Hazlewood – the way he bowled in the power play and in the death overs. So, I think that one dimension that RCB added this year, that made the difference. And let’s not forget the new captain, bringing in new ideas, Rajat Patidar has been very good. Of course, he’s got the support of Virat Kohli and all his experience. But I think the overall blend RCB had this year, the combination they had this year was outstanding.
FP: And you would say that this one was for Virat? Like the 2011 ODI World Cup title was for Sachin Tendulkar…
AM: Absolutely. Sachin had to play for a long time. He started his career in 1989. I played with him. He of course had to wait for a really long time (for an ODI World Cup title). That 2011 win at the Wankhede – that was special for him. Similarly for Virat Kohli. They are legends.
Someone like Virat Kohli – he has all the feathers in his cap. He is the King. He has all the jewels on his crown, but the IPL jewel was missing. He also retired recently from Test cricket, so the entire team really wanted this title win for him (Virat). And he deserves it. We have seen the way he has played for both India and RCB – the passion and the grit he has shown as a batter and as a leader. So, it was great for Virat that RCB won this title.
FP: Let’s switch focus now to the young players you were most impressed with this IPL season and who you think should be on the selectors’ radar for sure for a senior team call-up…
AM: Someone like Sai Sudharsan is top of the list. Of course, he is in the Indian team already for the England tour. There is overall so much talent (in the IPL). Someone like Priyansh Arya, someone like Prabhsimran (Singh). The bench strength of the Indian side has been getting stronger over the years.
That is a big factor. The way the IPL is growing and the way the youngsters are taking more and more responsibility and the pressure that they are soaking in is really good, I think. A lot of these youngsters are coming good. Also a few spinners. Players like Digvesh Rathi, Suyash Sharma. You need bowlers who can win you matches and the IPL always throws up quality players. There are a few others as well – Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir – these players also are exceptional talents. I think Indian cricket is in safe hands.
FP: Will we see MS Dhoni next season as a player? Your take on what MSD’s IPL future might look like…
AM: It all really depends on him. It’s a personal call. Of course, we all know that he is ageing. But it’s a big factor that he is still playing. It is going to be his own personal decision. We don’t see him bat up the order anymore. He is coming down the order, but just the fact that he is with the side, helps the team. It really helps the youngsters – giving them a few tips on and off the field. Dhoni’s presence is always going to be very, very important for CSK. But I feel it (IPL retirement) is a personal call.
FP: A quick question now on the upcoming five-Test series vs England. Going by what we have seen so far in the warm-up games – your take on India’s chances this time. The team has a new captain, two debutants etc…India haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007. Would you agree that this will be a tough tour for India?
AM: Yes. Whenever you tour England, South Africa, New Zealand etc – these tours are tough. The conditions are different. You have to make adjustments. There is a new captain in Shubman Gill. First of all, he has to get runs for himself, because once as a leader you get runs, that confidence rubs off on your captaincy as well. But I think the tour is going to be challenging for the team, it’s not going to be easy for the Indian side.
And of course, two greats will be missed - Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They will be missed for this campaign. But again, coming back to the Indian side, I feel they have the resources, it’s a good side. The thing I like about this side is the bowling line-up. The seam bowlers are all wicket-takers. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep (Singh) – they have quality in their bowling line-up. Kuldeep Yadav can be a key player on the tour – being a wrist-spinner on green top surfaces – he can be a challenge (for the English batters). You (also) have someone like Ravindra Jadeja.
So, it’s a good combination, but of course it’s going to be a challenge to play against England in England. At home – we see nowadays, a lot of these Test sides are really good.
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