THERE is a ray of hope, even if it is a slender one, as an all-rounder has emerged on the horizon of Indian cricket. Slender because Indian cricket is known to use different yardsticks for different players. A shoddy wicket-keeper is being projected as someone who lends balance to the side but others, not so privileged, fail to figure in that category.
In the case of Sanjay Bangar, it is good to see he knocked off a century to give himself some chance as a Test cricketer too. Credit to the selectors for not viewing the Railway all-rounder mainly as a one-day player. He deserved the opportunity, even if it came at the expense of the gifted Virender Sehwag. Bangar now deserves a long stint.
Bangar is a complete cricketer and everything about him should please the purist. His confident walk to the middle, his impeccable demeanour on the cricket field and his attitude towards the game, all stand out. Bangar is a talent worth nurturing with care, because cricketers like him come rare.
Bangar's strength is his humility. Not for a moment has Bangar allowed stardom affect his approach to the game. Nothing can spoil him because of his complete devotion to cricket. Dedication has been a strict aspect of his grooming.
For Bangar, life has been one long struggle from the time he attended a camp conducted by Vasant Amladi, and the recent recognition at the international level is mere beginning of his dreams taking shape. He should have played for the country a good four seasons ago but then he was representing Railways, an unsung team in domestic cricket. So, Bangar had to really earn his place unlike some others.
Bangar is such a pleasant guy to meet, always sporting a smile. He would smile even if you drop a catch off his bowling. He would smile even if you have him run out. "I was taught early in my childhood that losing one's temper doesn't help at all," says Bangar, his soft voice making you strain to hear. I wonder how he appeals!
That morning at the Mohali Stadium, before the start of the Test, Bangar walked up to Sunil Gavaskar and touched his feet to seek his blessings. A gesture which moved the legendary cricketer. "I've not known any cricketer do this before," Gavaskar said.
Growing up in Aurangabad, with little facilities for cricket, Bangar realised very early that he would have to fight for a place under the sun. His father sought a transfer to Mumbai in order to help the talented son pursue his interests.
What better place could the senior Bangar have chosen than Shivaji Park to hone his son's cricketing skills? Bangar, encouraged by Kiran Joshi of the Pioneer Club in Aurangabad, and Deepak Morkar in Mumbai, began his cricket journey in the right surroundings and grew into a disciplined young man.
Bangar was a patient man and that was a great quality. It kept him going when things did not work his way. He had another splendid companion to keep him going - Sunny Days, the inspiring autobiography penned by Gavaskar, a compelling piece of work which has motivated so many cricketers. "I have read the book countless times. It is such a magnificent piece of motivation. I never tire reading it," he said with pride. The book is part of his kit bag. No wonder Bangar, 28, touched the master's feet before he embarked upon the journey he undertook so diligently.
Since Mumbai did not offer hope, Bangar moved to Railways. Presently employed as a senior welfare inspector in Western Railway, this all-rounder developed his skills by watching others. Bangar's coach at Railways, Vinod Sharma, was always optimistic that he would get his chance one day. "The boy had such determination, we were all convinced that he would wear the national cap. It came later than I thought. He is a very hard worker, very disciplined and a keen student," praised Vinod Sharma.
With a tally of 84 first-class wickets and 3112 runs to back him, Bangar was picked for the first Test against England at Mohali and made an impressive debut. Sadly, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed the next two Tests. Just one match in the one-day series did not allow Bangar the opportunity to show his all-round skills, before he scored the century at Nagpur, batting at number seven, playing to the needs of the team and demands of his skipper. A team-man to the core indeed.
Former Test batsman Pravin Amre has also had a role to play. They share this habit of reading autobiographies and there was much for Bangar to learn from the experiences narrated by Amre, who was treated so shabbily by the National selectors. It made Bangar more determined.
"To tell you the truth, the domestic experience helped me a lot. All the toil made me mentally tough and it helped me treat the ups and downs with a balanced mind," remarked Bangar.
Failures taught him to be strong and nothing depressed him, with the exception of his mother's death two years ago. "I wish she had seen me play for India," said Bangar.
Having modelled himself as a batsman who would grind the attack, Bangar believes in building an innings. Playing in the 'V' is an essential component of his batsmanship and the confidence he generates in the middle can be infectious.
Bangar has a simple philosophy - do your job properly. "I have to be committed, whether I'm batting, bowling or standing in the slips. I know my team looks up to me. I'm fully aware of my responsibilities. I know often I have to adapt but I enjoy the work in the middle," added Bangar.
Reading Sunny Days also taught him his duties towards the team. "Mr. Gavaskar had a big role to play. The team depended on him and he set examples. There's no better feeling than knowing that your team likes you and backs you all the time."
The double century that Bangar hit in the quarterfinal against Tamil Nadu was his gift to the side after having won the India cap. His mates say the man has not changed a bit after the success and at times can be embarrassingly modest.
Bangar has never made any noise about the poor accommodation that Railways provides to its players at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi. At camps, he would quietly make a pillow out of soiled clothes. But never complained. When told that he had to leave for Nagpur ahead of schedule, it was Bangar who ran around to make his travel arrangements instead of leaving the job to the Board's travel agent.
"How can I change my behaviour just because I have played for India?" asked Bangar, lugging his heavy case in search of a taxi.
It is this humility which has stood out as a strong point of Bangar's character. This quality should help him realise his dreams in a season which culminates with the World Cup in South Africa. Bangar could well be groomed to become a vital part of that campaign as an all-rounder. Not a Kapil Dev or a Robin Singh but one with his own identity, and one with his own goals to achieve.
After a long search and wait, an all-rounder has arrived and is at the service of the team management. This time the ray of hope is genuine, never mind if it is slender.
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