World Cup, 1975
India lost one match after another in this competition, except against East Africa. The dismal performance in the World Cup left a lone contender, Sunil Gavaskar, to assume the responsibility. But an innings of 36 not out from 174 balls in the 60-over match against England exposed his attitude. Watching a truly unusual batting display, the other batsmen banged the dressing room wall with their fists and muttered a few objectionable words. At this stage, a couple of MCC members came to the Indian dressing room and pleaded with the manager to recall the slow batsman. A moment later, the manager instructed Abid Ali, Farokh Engineer, Madan Lal and me to get padded. There was great confusion as to who would go next if a wicket fell. When Gavaskar returned to the dressing room undefeated, however, there was no remorse. It sealed his fate to become the next captain of India.
Pakistan, 1978
When [Gundappa] Vishwanath occupied the crease at 2/183, replacing Surinder Amarnath, Sarfraz [Nawaz] started bowling a series of bouncers that Vishwanath was unable to reach even if he went up on his toes, and the umpires refused to declare them as wide balls. Bishan [Singh Bedi] was furious; the laws of one-day cricket were being blatantly ignored by the men in white coats. When the pace bowlers continued the unfair practice and umpires connived with them, Bishan became very upset. In disgust, he recalled both the batsmen to the pavilion. No amount of cajoling by the Pakistan Cricket Board officials could change his mind till one of the officials produced a classic solution. He advised the skipper to send someone taller to reach the ball! Nothing more hilarious could have come at this tense moment! It was an extraordinary cricketing phenomenon, both on the field and in the pavilion. It was the first and last time a side in a winning position walked out due to shabby umpiring and lost a match by default. India lost the series, 2-1.
West Indies, 1976
The three-star ‘Britto Hotel’, overlooking the beach, was comfortable as well as enjoyable. The facilities were marvellous and the staff courteous. This became evident when the manager of the hotel took extra care of Madan Lal. The rustic Amritsar boy presumed it was a privilege to be served by the manager of the hotel early in the morning with tea, cookies and pastries. The service continued after the practice session and late into the evening. Madan Lal was enjoying exclusive service till this gentleman started touching his fingers while serving tea. Initially, Madan ignored it but the manager’s infatuation for the muscular, good-looking Punjabi did not stop there. One fine morning, Madan was rudely woken from his sleep; a soft hand was on his cheeks. That was it; Madan Lal told him in Punjabi English: ‘You will not get what you are looking for!’ The way he narrated the incident in the dressing room had us doubled over with laughter!
Excerpted with permission from HarperCollins Publishers India
FEARLESS: A MEMOIR
By Mohinder Amarnath with Rajender Amarnath
Published by HarperCollins Publishers India
Price Rs559; pages 464