He has watched Dhoni cut his teeth and learn the ropes of cricket as a child; watched him blossom, watch his cricket career go places, applauded as Dhoni proved to be one of the best Indian captains ever, and it today sad to learn of his abrupt decision to retire from Test cricket.
Subroto Tara Banerjee, born in Patna Bihar in 1969 debuted in Test cricket himself in 1991-92 when he was part of the India eleven that played in Australia.
He played in the third Test at Sydney as the fourth seamer when India took the field without a specialist spinner. Banerjee bowled only in the first innings picking up three wickets for 47, those of Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh. He then figured in the Benson & Hedges World Series that followed. He and Warne debuted in test cricket at the same time but While Warne went on to play more than 15 years of international cricket, this medium pace bowler – Subroto Banerjee – could never play a Test for India again.
Instead of trying to persuade the national selectors for a recall, Banerjee shifted permanently to Sydney, Australia, in 1994.
-Apart from the Indian team others Subroto has played for include Bengal, East Zone, India Under-19s, India Young Cricketers, Indian Board President’s XI, Jharkhand, Rest of India and Wills’ XI.
He came back to India and became coach for the Vidarbha Cricket Academy VCA and this assignment made him a permanant Nagpurian.
Right now this Nagpurian is in a pride of place in Mumbai though, where he is official bowling coach the the Mumbai Indians. As he admits candidly he got this job because Tendulkar recommended him to Reliance.
Thus, Banerjee’s credentials as coach and someone who understands how to recognize and hone cricketing skills in youngsters are impeccable. (He is right now also coaching Sachin’s son Arjun and Varun and Umesh Yaadav)
“I have watched Mahinder Dhoni play cricket since he was a child. He is very talented, determined and totally devoted to the game. I will be very, very surprised if there is any truth to the snide rumours doing the rounds about Dhoni being involved in any ‘scam’ as Chennai Super King captain. For him cricket comes first. ” states Banerjee
categorically in an exclusive interview to Nagpur Today when the news of Dhoni announcing his retirement
hit the news.
“I was taken completely by surprise too. I was out doing some banking chores when friends called me to give the news of Dhoni’s retirement. It came out of the blue and is a decision that is very difficult to fathom.”
Could he have resigned as he could not withstand the pressure of the blame game after India lost the current Test series in Australia? NT asked.
“Dhoni is not one to crumble under any pressure. He is made of very stern stuff. Neither can anyone else pressurize him into doing anything. For whatever reason, this is his own decision” said Banerjee.
Dhoni will continue to play in IPL, one day and T 20.
“Does he not have the temperament or patience to play test cricket?” We asked.
“Nothing like that. Dhoni has been a successful and good test player too – tell me which Captain does not have a chequered international record? It is a team game after all!” asserted Subroto Banerjee.
Whatever the reason for Dhoni’s reasons it is a done deal since CCI has accepted his resignation and put Kohli in charge.
If Dhoni says that the strain of playing all forms is telling on him, we should accept and say "thank you" #DhoniRetires
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2014
well done on a wonderful career in test cricket @msdhoni. Always enjoyed playing together. Next target 2015 WC my friend!!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 30, 2014
