“West Indies v India – History tells us that West Indies must mind the hype!”

Nov 03, 2013 Sports

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Says Colin E. H. Croft
Present West Indies captain Darren Sammy and former captain, now team manager Richie Richardson, are correct in assessments and requirements from their team for this short two-Test series against India.
Despite the occasion, West Indies must be fully aware of its purpose and not get caught up in the engulfing hoopla of massive celebrations and events.

Of course West Indies’ squad should be pleased and honored to be part of this unique occasion – unofficial, tailor-made send off into retirement of one of the last great masters of Test and One-Day cricket, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, who will play his 200th Test.
Few players with long tenures in Test and ODI cricket, including Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and other teams’ players like South Africa’s Graeme Smith, remain.
But, allowing for the euphoria of nearly one and a half billion people celebrating should not distract West Indies from its purpose in this series, or they could all live to regret the results.
It will not be easy, as India has winds in its sails, and having played longer games recently, against Australia, with great confidence and good form, India will want to send its great champion into retirement in the best way possible; playing his 200th Test on a winning team.
West Indies, despite not having much long form competitive cricket in its recent past – they should be fresh – must give a good account of itself, trying hard to win both games, taking the puff completely out of India.
If that does not happen, there could be great embarrassments and headaches much later!
Fortunately for West Indies, Sammy and Richardson are extremely well grounded people and sportsmen, each, in a strange co-incidence, having come to his own cricketing prominence relatively similarly, as neither was, initially, thought of as a West Indies captain in his own right when then appointed.

There was much noise when Richie was given captaincy, after (Sir) Vivian Richards had left, since Desmond Haynes was suggested to have been the anointed one.
Many, when Sammy was made captain, thought that he could not even have made the team on pure merit, much less be leader of that said team.
Those situations are now water under the bridge!
Richardson persevered well, despite severe internal team acrimony, while Sammy has matured, in stature and cricket terms, to be a good contributor and leader.
But West Indies should be aware of its long history where especially India are concerned.
It would be sensible to think that Richie and Darren would have reminded their team that India had severely embarrassed and upset West Indies in the past, even if it is distant history.
In 1971, India, eternal underdogs then, beat West Indies for the first time in a Test series in the Caribbean, a series which also brought to prominence that other Indian “Little Master” – Sunil Gavaskar.
Everlasting calypsos and legends were born in that series!
To this day, West Indians who participated in that series have massive regrets, excuses, laments, even heart tremors, whenever that 1971 series loss to India is mentioned in conversations.
Probably much more significant to younger folks, for this was only 30 years ago, and also always remembered, eye-opening even, a watershed in India’s cricketing history, was the game of a lifetime, on either side of the divide, but especially for India; winning ICC World Cup 1983.

Like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor  – December 07, 1941 – to bring USA into World War II, then USA President Franklyn D. Roosevelt suggesting that that was a “Day in infamy”, so too was 25 June 1983 a similar day, one that brought infamy, for West Indies, or fame, for India, depending on your perspective.
Remember, West Indies had won both inaugural stanzas of that competition – 1975 and 1979 – and were overwhelming favorites to make it a “three-peat”, winning three such competitions in a row.
Also, in 1983, India was not considered a good one-day cricket nation, as it has become in 1990’s and especially 2000’s.  Back then, India was simply thought of as fodder for teams like West Indies!
It was even a surprise that India had made that final at all in 1983!
When West Indies dismissed India for only 183 in that fatal game, West Indians everywhere, including at Lords, outside and inside the dressing rooms, started premature celebrations, with shouts of “West Indies – Champions, again!  West Indies – Three-Peat!”
What ensued immediately afterwards would have made rum and roti stick in supporters’ throats, as the might of West Indies was shocked into losing by 43 runs, Indian captain Kapil Dev turning the screws!
Similarly, so many excuses have been offered by participating West Indian players after that debacle, a game, and time, rightfully described as the year that India stunned the world and everything changed!
Yes, much has indeed changed since then.
India, No. 3 in Test rankings, is still top of its game and influence, while West Indies, No. 6, is trying hard to regain prominence.
What a great time and place to re-start for West Indies.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

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