India nets a blast from the past

There are, as expected, many Big Names on the fringes of a Team India nets session, advising, observing, helping. There is also a clutch of ...

There are, as expected, many Big Names on the fringes of a Team India nets session, advising, observing, helping. There is also a clutch of those whose faces are familiar but names don’t immediately come to mind.

And so it was today, with one ‘‘unknown’’ man bowling at full tilt — and in full gear — to the Indian batsmen at the Wankhede Stadium. Only as he moved closer to the dressing room did it hit home: this was Subroto Banerjee, the former Bihar Ranji Trophy paceman who played just one Test for India at Sydney (on the 1991-92 Aussie tour).

Banerjee (35), is now resident Down Under since his retirement in 2000-01. And when you first speak to him, he greets you in the typical Australian way; ‘‘How are you, mate?’’ He then apologises for his slang. ‘‘Can’t help it, that’s the only way they (Aussies) like it when you speak, even my friends are having a good a laugh about it.’’

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Banerjee’s India career lasted just two seasons (1991-92 and 1992-93), though he featured in the 1992 World Cup. Looking back is ‘‘very painful’’ for the former India paceman but in his new avatar as nets bowler, and wearing India gear after a decade, he’s in decidedly happy mode.

So how and why did he land up at the nets? On a holiday in India, Banerjee was asked to come over by ‘‘good friend’’ Sachin Tendulkar. ‘‘I called him (Sachin) and he said ‘come over and bowl’. So I had to agree. It’s been fantastic, just a great feeling’’, he says.

It’s a job he’d performed even during India’s tour of Australia last season. So can we see him again at the nets on the morrow? ‘‘No chance, mate. It’s just so hot. Yesterday I bowled for two hours and another two today. I have lost my strength.’’

Now in Sydney, where he made his Test debut, Banerjee works in a PR job. He also plays and coaches in grade cricket with first division side Black Town. ‘‘Even at that level they play very tough cricket. You have to really earn your wickets and runs. So it’s hard work but a real pleasure’’, he says.