But he couldn't play for India. MiD DAY catches up with a domestic giant

K P Bhaskar had a dream...

But he couldn't play for India. MiD DAY catches up with a domestic giant

K P BHASKAR was a dominant figure in domestic cricket, scoring runs in torrents at the Ranji Trophy level and zonal tournaments. But due to a combination of tough luck and selection apathy, international recognition remained elusive.

He does not belong to a one-man club though, because Indian cricket is littered with instances of deserving performers not getting an India cap. However, Bhaskar put his disappointments aside and took up a job that involves helping players make the top grade.

Bhaskar, who represented Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in the 1980s and 1990s is now senior coach at Board of Control for Cricket in India's specialised batting academy at Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex facility.

The hurt of not getting picked for his country is too hard to conceal. "No cricketer has gone through what I went through. I can understand the frustration part much better," said Bhaskar after a hard day's work in the indoor nets.

Cutting edge
His sound batting technique and reputation as a domestic cricket giant is enough reason to understand why he is so confident of doing a good job as coach and providing players with a cutting edge.

He has worked with prolific batsman Cheteshwar Pujara at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and can't comprehend why he is not in the India squad in Sri Lanka despite doing well as an India 'A' player on a recent tour to England. "I can imagine what is going through Pujara's mind. It's silly. He deserves his chance," said a concerned Bhaskar. "The question now is, what more to do? I was branded as an unfortunate cricketer. I hope he doesn't get the same tag." Bhaskar will be a good sounding board for the Saurashtra batsman. Motivating young players is what keeps Bhaskar going. Indeed, he has found solace in coaching.

Run machine
Back to Bhaskar's playing days. With more than 5000 runs at an average of 52.84 in 95 matches, and being the Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1989, he was quite close to earning the India cap. Between 1983 and 1989, he averaged close to 70.00 with 13 centuries.

"Life has taught me never to let talent go waste. I won't let a cricketer go through what I have been through because then I have not learnt anything from life," he said.

Traveling down memory lane, Bhaskar recalled: "Twice, I was on the verge of making my India debut. First in the one-day international against New Zealand at Jammu in 1988. I was in the playing XI but as destiny would have it, the match got rained off. The other time I got picked in the playing XI was in Bangladesh in the 1992 SAARC Cup. I was padded up to go in next against Bangladesh (for India 'A') when the Babri Masjid demolition took place and there was a shoot-out in the stadium. The tournament got cancelled.

"I then realised I was not destined to play for my country. The only regret I have is that I was not tried. If I had got even one chance and failed, I wouldn't have that regret," rued Bhaskar

Frustration finally took a toll and soon he gave up on his dream of playing for his country. He called it quits before turning 30, an age the Australians believe a batsman is at his prime.

"I retired from first-class cricket in 1994-95 when I was 29. My only motivation was to play for India. I was desperate. All I wanted was one chance. I was picked as stand-bye for the first-time in 1985 for the Sri Lanka tour and my position remained the same till 1990"

The cricketing life of K P Bhaskar is a sad one, but it could have a happy ending if his coaching forays turn to gold.