Handle setbacks and criticism the Vengsarkar way

By K.R. Nayar 

Meeting with the legendary batsman Dilip Vengsarkar, whether it is in Dubai or Mumbai, has always been interesting. We have always talked for hours, with most of the conversations relating to his views on happenings in Indian cricket or international cricket. But this time it was an interview with a difference, something that would be useful for budding cricketers. 

Dilip Vengsarkar at the Taj Exotica in Dubai 

For years I've always wanted to ask him about how youngsters should approach the game; but very often our talks slipped away to cricket matters. Words coming from a legend like Vengsarkar who has scored 6868 Test runs with 17 centuries and 3508 runs in One Day Internationals, hit three consecutive Test match centuries at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket, and captained India is worthy of being followed. 

My queries were not about technique but about setbacks and fears that youngsters often encounter during their playing days.

Ignored by selectors

We have often seen youngsters being ignored by selectors despite a history of good performances. What would he advise youngsters who face such huge setbacks?

After giving it a thought, Vengsarkar remarked: “It is demoralizing when selectors ignore you, but you must continue to work hard and stay completely focused and committed to your job. Make maximum use of every opportunity you get because opportunities do not come often in life. Once you get the opportunity just go out there and grab it with both hands. For example, if you have scored 70 and 80 runs and you have not been picked into the team, you are bound to feel bad. In that case, aim to go on and score 170.”

Since his answer surprised me, he explained it with an example.  “I say this because when I was a selector, Wasim Jaffar was ignored. In fact, he had scored a good 100 and another guy who had scored only 70 or 80 runs got selected. So Jaffar came to me and expressed his disappointment at not being selected despite scoring a 100 while the guy who had scored 85 was picked. I told him to score a double hundred next time so that there won’t be any discussion on whether he should be picked or not. After that Jaffar went on to score a triple hundred. Then there was no discussion about his selection, and he got picked automatically.”

Dilip Vengsarkar plays one of his stylish shots 

So, what is the golden rule?   “Once you are in the middle, don’t throw your wicket away; make most of the opportunity you get and make sure you are out there for long. Playing for the team is important.”

Since Vengsarkar has been the Chairman of India’s national team selection committee, he revealed what a selector would look for in a player. “Every selector would prefer a team player, someone who plays for the team and wins matches. Selectors can easily spot players who play for themselves. So, my principle is to always give your best for the team whenever you are out there.”

Vengsarkar also has a golden tip. “What matters is that you must deliver in those 22 yards. You may have people to pull your strings and capable of influencing the selectors, but once you are out there in those 22 yards you are alone, and no one can help you unless you perform and deliver what is expected off you.”

Fear of failure 

Most youngsters encounter failure, so what is Vengsarkar’s advice to youngsters to overcome or avoid it?” “The fear to perform is always there and I believe having such a fear is a good sign. This fear can bring out the best in you. Fear can be positive and negative, but you should try and stay positive. Remember, there should be the fear to do well but that fear should end the moment you enter the ground. The fear of failure should end just outside the boundary and not be carried into the ground,” he noted.

 Tackling bad form

 Despite all efforts, what if a player goes through a bad form? What is Vengsarkar’s advice to overcome this patch?

Dilip Vengsarkar with yours truly

“My advice to players who are struggling for runs or wickets is not to change their style of play or change their technique. You will get a lot of advice on that front. Everybody has a fixed technique, even if you are playing at the high level or school level or college level. The important thing is to play as many matches as possible and then you surely get your form back. I always believed that any match you play, be it a school match or a college match or club match, you can strike form back. Once you are in good form, once you have scored runs, then go for big ones. Don’t wait after scoring a hundred and get satisfied; go for the double hundred. In short, if you are not in form then you should keep playing.”

On handling criticism and remain motivated

When asked about how to counter criticism, Vengsarkar's response was: “Criticism can always be turned into one's advantage too. You can turn it something motivating. After all, remember that if you do well on the ground, no one will criticize you. So, aim to deliver and you need to perform and hence consistency is important. if you are consistent at the highest level it definitely helps.”

What is Vengsarkar’s advice on motivation? “Most important for any cricketer is self-motivation. Every time you cannot look up to your elders, former cricketers and coaches to keep motivating you. You have to self-motivate and do well on the ground.

Jovial characters 

 Since most of what we had talked was on serious matters, I asked him about the jovial characters he had played with: “There were so many.  Eknath Solkar was one and Sandeep Patil was another. GR Vishwanath and Dilip Doshi were all jovial characters,” he said.

Any instances he could recall about them? “In 1977, GR Vishwanath would often get out for a square cut since most teams would have two gullies placed for him. So, coach Polly Umrigar told him to immediately cut out that square cut. Vishwanath then said, “Sir, I have scored nearly 3000 runs from that square cut and if I cut out that where am I going to score runs?”

Vengsarkar with Shyam Bhatia at Bhatia's museum with magazines that had his cover story 

Vengsarkar concluded his tour of the UAE with a visit to Shyam Bhatia museum on the next day of our meeting. He was nostalgic going through the history of cricket, something that he was a part of. “This is a museum that can inspire generations with its collections,” he remarked.