More stresses on quality coaching

Former India wicket keeper, Kiran More felt Mumbai Cricket Association’s cricket facilities in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) are good but coaching doesn’t match that quality. More has conducted wicket-keeping clinics in the past at BKC.

He said though other cities have narrowed the gap with Mumbai but the city is still producing talent but overdose of coaching isn’t helping the players. 

“States like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have good raw talent. Many other cities are also catching up with Mumbai. BKC has best facilities but quality regarding coaching is not there,” he said  while speaking at the birthday function of legendary former India cricketer Late Vinoo Mankad organised by Legends Club at Cricket Club of India on Thursday night.

More  criticised the cooling of period, if a player wants to play for another state. “What is this cooling off period, do players sit in AC,” he quipped. 

“If someone is good why not take him immediately. Such was not the case in our times. A player like Vinoo Mankad played for nine teams in India. Mumbai cricket is missing the trick here,” he said. 

He also was concerned about the amount of money cricketers are earning in current era.

“Money can finish you off if you don't handle it properly. It is very difficult to keep the new generation of cricketers on the ground. I feel scary about them. That is why I always give them the examples of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, all great people to follow. They have handled themselves so well.”

Recollecting Mumbai’s contribution in shaping his international career, the former chief of BCCI Selection Committee said. “Mumbai has given me India cap. I played lot of cricket here in Times Shield and other tournaments. I got a hundred at Islam Gymkhana, many saw me and I came into reckoning for Indian team. Raj Bhai (Dungarpur), Hanumant Singh played important role in my career, as selector and mentor. I kept too well to Padmakar Shivalkar who was a quality left arm spinner which enhanced my reputation,” said the veteran of 49 Tests and 94 ODIs for India.

“I still watch lot of Mumbai cricket. I used to watch Sachin (Tendulkar) play here coming from Baroda and he scored hundred everytime. I even saw his last innings at Lord’s. You don’t get to see such quality batsmen like in today’s era Virat Kohli,” he said.

Talent scout

More during his tenure as chief selector unearthed talent like MS Dhoni and he is one of the talent scouts for IPL franchise Mumbai Indians along with John Wright who have unearthed talents like Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya brothers and leg-spinner Mayand Markande more recently. He also is wicket-keeping coach of MI and coached Reliance 1 to title win in DY Patil Twenty20 Cup.

The audience couldn’t but resist asking More about the 1992 World Cup incident when Pakistan bastman Javed Miandad.

“It was a terrific match and there was huge pressure on us. He was a character. He had just comeback after suffering back injury and scored fifty against Australia in previous game. I told the bowlers don’t bowl short to him to give him the comfort to play shots and push him forward to put stress on his back. He tried to hit one down the leg and I appealed for stumping then I appealed next ball again. He got irritated and told me why are you appealing, I said I am doing my work. Then he started jumping,” he said.