Every time Rajinder Goel walks into a stadium to watch youngsters play, the former left-arm spinner rues being born at the wrong time. Despite claiming a record 637 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, Goel never made it to the national side, with Bishan Singh Bedi, India’s foremost left-arm spinner, already playing for India.
But on March 8, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will confer the Colonel C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award on the veteran cricketer, along with another yesteryear great Padmakar Shivalkar. Despite being the best in business, neither Goel nor Shivalkar played for India at the international level.
CoA has done what BCCI office-bearers didn't, says Shantha Rangaswamy
The three-member committee, comprising N. Ram, Ramachandra Guha and Diana Edulji, believed that the BCCI needs to recognise the services rendered by Goel and Shivalkar, who were “not fortunate enough to play for India.”
The two left-arm spinners traumatised batsmen, picking wickets in a heap. Goel ended his career with a staggering 750 first-class wickets.
Shivalkar, on the other hand, played 124 first-class games and claimed 589 wickets. He had 42 five-wicket hauls in an innings and on 13 occasions registered a 10-wicket hauls in a match.
While the two yesteryear greats will be receiving the lifetime awards, the BCCI, for the first time, will also confer lifetime achievement award on former India women’s team captain, Shantha Rangaswamy. A national selector, Rangaswamy led India in 12 Test matches and in 16 ODIs.
Vaman Viswanath Kumar and late Ramakant Desai have also been nominated for the BCCI Special Award in recognition of their yeoman services to Indian cricket.
Before the award ceremony begins in Bengaluru, the fifth M. A. K. Pataudi Memorial Lecture will be delivered by formerIndia wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer. Known for his sharp reflexes, agility behind the stumps and his aggressive batting, Engineer represented India in 46 Test matches and five ODIs.
Comments
SHARE