B Mohan doesn’t need any introduction in sports circles. Though he din’t get enoguh opportunities to play first class cricket for a long time, the kind of success he enjoyed as a selector and coach later was highly appreciable. Having learnt a lot from his father Buphaty a reknowned coach of Hyderabad he tried to impart the same. A tall and powerfully built man would set insoluble problems to best of the batsmen in his young days. The genial fun loving character Mohan, who is a popular cricket analyst now celebrating his 68th birthday today. In a tete-tete with greattelangaana.com, Mohan said he is quite satisfied with whatever he has achieved in his career.
MS: First tell us about your early career?
BM:Well as a cricketer it was sad I could not play for a long time. I was done in by politics. I was one of the fine all-round cricketers in 60s and 70s. I carried the brunt of Hyderabad attack those days, picking wickets and scoring runs in all zonal matches I had played. Unfortunately the only match I played for Hyderabad was against Delhi at Feroztlakotla. I bowled well, got couple of wickets and sadly we were on the losing side. Despite my satisfying performance I was not preferred later. Nothing went wrong with me. But only the selectors knew why they dropped me later. No regrets God has been kind towards me. Later I went onto become a coach and selector and enjoyed quite a good success in both capacities.
MS:What was the great moment of your career as a coach and selector?
BM:Well winning the coveted Ranji Trophy title in 1987 when I was one of the selectors was a great achievement. We lifted Irani trophy too later.There were no ego hassles and we all worked like a team and always concentrated on success. That was the time Hyderabad team was going through a lean period and the victory boosted the confidence of everyone. As a coach I was fortunate that players such as VVS Laxman played under me. I would always say that Laxman would go onto become a great cricketer and he did. I learnt the coaching skills from my father, who produced so many champions those days. I also benefited from Aibara, one of my mentors. All were tremendously disciplined, which I am sorry is missing now
MS:Your memorable performances with ball and bat?
BM:There are so many. The three-hundred runs partnership with the stylish Jaisimha and then 200 plus with India’s one of the fine allrounders Abid Ali in late 60s are still fresh in my memory. I used to be the main bowler for our side in the Moinuduwalah cricket tournament, representing SBI. Playing along with greats like Wadekar, GR Vishwanath was a thrill.a
I am delighted to say that also got Gavaskar and Amarnath out in a tournament at Bhopal, where I was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament.
MS:Any other regrets?
BM:Well you have to be satisfied with whatever you get. Not playing for Hyderabad for a long period was a big disappointment for me. Because I was a successful allrounder with stunning performances in the Rohan Bhatia university championship and other important big tourneys. But it is ok, no point in regretting now. I am grateful to Doordarshan for the opportunities I got to commentate on various games. Now people recognise me everywhere as lot of local channels are kind enough to invite me as an analyst. What else I need. I have good fiends like you, Venkatesh, Venkat. But is is sad we all lost Jessy our blossom friend. Life goes on. I spend my leisure time listening to Kishoreda and watching cricket matches on television.
MS:Who have been your favourite cricketers?
BM:Vivian Richards in batting -luckily our birthdays match and Ian Botham as an allrounder. Their determination and perseverance always impressed me. Perfect role models like Gavaskar, Kapil dev and Vishwanath in India.
By Sudeer Mahavaadi – DD Commentator
