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The Rediff Interview /Utpal Chatterjee

'What is the use of resting senior players when their replacements can't perform as well as them'

Despite having scalped over 400 wickets and scoring more than 2000 runs in domestic cricket in a 16-year career, Utpal Chatterjee is a dejected man. His frustration largely stems from the national selectors' oblivious attitude, which has prevented him from proving his mettle in the international arena.

A United Bank of India employee, Chatterjee was last picked for India way back in 1995-96, when he played in only three one dayers - - two in the Sharjah Cup and one against the touring New Zealanders, in Jamshedpur. Since then, even though he performed consistently in first class matches, his name was never considered for India duty. This may be largely due to the age factor. But there can be no denying the fact that even at 37, he is fit and good enough to fox the best batsmen in world cricket. Those who saw him in action during Bengal's last Ranji Trophy match against Bombay will agree that this tall left arm spinner clearly scores over many of the current national players in the fitness department.

The years long disappointment prevents, Chatterjee, David to his close friends, from talking about his future prospects. So much so that he even hints at calling it a day. In a freewheeling chat with Rifat Jawaid, he lashes out at the men who call the shots in Indian cricket.

Do you think that your impressive showing in the domestic circuit last season has placed you in good stead as far as selection to the national squad is concerned?

It's useless to talk about whether or not I will ever be picked to represent India again. If the powers that be of Indian cricket had employed a little prudence, I think I would not have been thrown out of the team so unceremoniously in 1995.

Tell me where had I gone wrong? When a bowler concedes merely 29 runs and chips in with two valuable wickets in eight overs, do you still call it a poor performance? This is what happened to me.

In our match against Pakistan, we had restricted them to 130 for 4 in 30 overs. Though the Sharjah wicket not so conducive for spinners, the Pakistanis were finding it increasingly difficult to read my balls. Yet, not only I was taken off from the bowling, but the management stunned me by dropping me in the subsequent game against Sri Lanka.

I don't blame Azhar for not allowing me to complete my full quota. Any captain at that stage would have reposed more faith in their established bowlers like Manoj Prabhakar, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble. It was quite natural on the captain's part to prefer those bowlers ahead of a relatively inexperienced bowler like me since Inzamam had just come to crease and his wicket would surely have placed India in commanding position. But it didn't happen that way and the Pakistanis went to amass over 270 runs in the stipulated 50 overs.

Eventually we lost the match. Who knows, maybe that match too was fixed (laughs).

During the one-dayers against New Zealand in Jamshedpur, one of my friends told me that it was going to be my last outing for India. He was right. I never got the opportunity to represent the country again.

But at least they could have picked you in the final 14?

You should go and ask this question to the BCCI mandarins responsible for choosing the final 14. I am told that they (the selectors) are putting more trust in young talent, since they are looking at the future.

But who should tell them that even while doing justice to young talent, they have failed miserably. What will you say when their selected player concedes over 80 runs in his first outing? I am talking about Delhi's Amit Bhandari, who was preferred ahead of Bengal's Laxmi Ratan Shukla. I still maintain that Shukla could have been far more handy compared to Bhandari. But a sheer discriminatory attitude ultimately worked against the former. This surely doesn't augur well for Indian cricket in the long run. It only results in discouraging talented young players who aspire for the national cap.

There is no harm in experimenting with replacements, but what irks me a lot is the legitimacy of the replacements. What is the use of resting senior players when their replacements can't perform as well as them, leave aside a better showing. We replaced Azhar with innumerable young players, but what happened in the end? Did we ever find a player who could match his elegant batting and fielding ability? All I can say is that I am tired of witnessing such developments.

Now Sourav Ganguly is at the helm of the Indian team, do you feel you may be recalled to represent India? Sourav is one player who has no reservation about your ability as a slow arm bowler and he, in a conversation with rediff.com, had even said that you were one of the top left arm spinners in the country.

Well, I don't think so. I don't want him (Sourav) to suggest my name simply because I hail from his city. What I really want is to get selected purely on merit and not on somebody's sympathy.

Moreover, Sourav has become the captain only recently and I believe it is too early for him to start suggesting selections. He may have his say once he settles down. The recent Code of Conduct formulated by the BCCI has only placed Sourav into a more complicated situation as a captain. With the new Code of Conduct coming into effect, Sourav's job as a captain has only become more challenging. His authority in team selection and other major decisions seems to have been confiscated.

Sourav also appreciated the fact that most of your victims had come at the Eden Gardens, which is not a turner and slow. What magic formula do you employ while bowling at the Eden Gardens?

The track at the Eden Gardens today is not as hostile for spinners as it used to be in the past. But yes, you are right. It is not always conducive for the slow arm bowlers. But more than the pitch, it is the bowlers' ability to read the batsmen well that plays a crucial role in the end.

I have bowled against all the members of current Indian side. I know what are their strong points and where they tend to falter. So when you are aware of these points, it is not that difficult to put the batsmen on the defensive.

Tracks in India are generally made keeping the batsmen's interests in mind. Contrary to the moisturous tracks of Australia and England, Indian wickets always lack in moisture, as a result of which they tend to crack up on the third day of play. An ideal wicket should be the one which has some bounce but is not difficult for batsmen as well.

You started your career as a pace bowler. What made you switch over to spin?

It was primarily due to my back problems that I changed my bowling style. An extra bone had developed in my rib cage. Doctors suggested an operation, which I refused. To continue as a fast bowler would have meant only compounding the problem. I wouldn't have been able to continue for so long had I not switched over to slow arm bowling.

Did you ever regret your decision?

I didn't have many choices. But I can tell you it was a difficult transition. I always enjoyed pace bowling. So when I suddenly switched over to spin bowling, it posed quite a lot of difficulties. It required really hard work and dedication to prove my worth as a slow arm bowler.

You have led Bengal in many Ranji and Duleep trophy matches. What went wrong for Bengal in the last Ranji season?

I think there was a lack of collective performances from the boys. While Saba (Karim) and (Srikant) Kalyani chipped in with runs, they didn't get the support from the bowlers. Even many of the players were lackadaisical with their fielding. Also, what I feel is that players were indisciplined all along. Unless you have a sense of discipline, you can never outclass your opponents.

Isn't it disheartening that Nikhil Haldipur had to be cautioned by the National Cricket Academy? This is certainly unfortunate for Bengal cricket.

How do you feel on being awarded the Cricket Association of Bengal's best player of the year award for the third time in your career?

It is always a good feeling to receive an award, especially when it is given to you in recognition of your performances on the field. But it also hurts me that the CAB didn't find any young players and had to name me for that award even at this age. This only goes on to show that young players do not have dedication towards their game.

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