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The Rediff Cricket Interview / S K Bansal

'We are not supposed to make teams happy; we are supposed to give correct decisions'

Srinivas Venkatraghvan and A V Jaiprakash are the Indian umpires on the International Cricket Council panel, but there can be no gainsaying that along with V.K.Ramaswami, Shyam Kumar Bansal is also ranked among the best in the business.

In a career spanning over two decades, Bansal has stood in seven Tests, 35 one-day internationals and over a hundred first-class matches. He was selected to the ICC panel in 1996 and stood with George Sharp in the Ahmedabad Test the same year, against South Africa. He also officiated in the Singer Championship in Sharjah with the same umpire. And though some of his decisions may have raised eyebrows, there can be no doubt that his is a trusted name. The simple, affable Indian Airlines officer spoke to Suresh Parekh about his career, the chucking controversy and cricketers turned umpires.

At this stage of your career how do you feel about your umpiring?

I think I'm happy with my career. I have done seven Tests and 35 one-day internationals. I got an opportunity to represent the ICC, which is a dream in the chosen field. When I started my umpiring career 20 years ago, I had not thought I would reach this far. I also got a chance to stand in Sharjah, Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur. A pretty satisfying career I would say.

You stood with the great Dicky Bird, Merwyn Kitchen, George Sharp, S Venkataraghavan and others. It must have been a great experience...

Yes, I got a chance to do duty with Dicky Bird at the Wankhede in the Test against the West Indies. I am rather honoured to do duty with all these big names, and I have learnt a great deal from all these persons in white coats. I feel the umpires who come from abroad have the same experience as we have. But I feel, and I have seen, that Indian umpires standing in India have additional advantage because they are so accustomed to turning tracks, which, except Asian umpires, no other foreign umpires have.

Does standing with big names, like Dicky Bird, Ian Robinson, Kitchen and others, put extra pressure on the home umpires?

Not at all. In fact, as I told you, the Indian umpires will be more comfortable on turning tracks which are routine in India. He can show his experience and expertise in bat and pad decisions.

The ICC has so many umpires on their list. Instead of one, why not two neutral umpires at the both ends. Do you subscribe to this view?

Yes, I do. In fact, if they can put one neutral umpire, why not two? I believe that if a decision is taken, the pressure on the umpires will be much less, because there is a general feeling that the umpire of the host country will be pressurized or has slightly more pressure than his foreign colleague. So, if the ICC puts neutral umpires at both ends there will not be any problem. If two Australians, two West Indians or two English umpires come to India, two Indian umpires will also go abroad and ultimately they will get some more matches than they are supposed to.

What's your take on the chucking controversy? Muthiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhtar are victims...

All the names that you have referred to might have bowled one or two such balls. It is not very easy for any umpire. We have gone through the records of whoever have been called. It has been found that he has not chucked the ball. So instead of declaring it, you can advise the bowler. That should be done in the initial stages. But if it is the last stage then it is very difficult to control that particular bowler; it is not possible to check his action also.

You must have watched Muralitharan and Shoaib on television. What is your assessment?

Yes, I watched the players you are talking about and in my opinion there is nothing wrong with them.

Do you think that Indian umpires are less recognised than English or foreign umpires?

I don't agree with you that British or other foreign umpires are more famous or more recognised. At present, Venkat is one of the best umpires in the world. He has proved it too. Even the rest of the umpires in India are very competent and can stand with any of the world's best umpires.

But what about the role of the media? Do you think they give more coverage to visiting umpires?

We are least concerned what the media is writing about us and what they aren't writing. If the media says that that particular umpire is good and that particular umpire is not good, that's not true. You see, in front of the electronic media and camera, standing as an umpire and doing duty is not an easy job. And the umpire has to give his decision in a fraction of a second. The electronic media shows everything, whether you are right or wrong. So, if you compare the electronic eye with the human eye, the difference will always be there.

Don't you think that in a country like India umpiring is a thankless job?

It is not only a thankless job in India but everywhere. When an umpire is doing duty he tries to give his best. Some mistakes are committed, and naturally, it may go in favour of one side and against the other. Quite obviously both sides can't be happy. We are not supposed to make teams happy; we are supposed to give correct decisions.

But whenever a particular decision is debated, do you think that the media, both print and electronic, is biased?

No...no...no. I really don't think so. Whatever they are doing, they are doing their best. After all, they are not friends and foes. Whatever they see, they write.

Does excessive appealing from wicketkeepers, bowlers and close-in fielders put any extra psychological pressure on the umpire?

Not really. But yes, the number of appeals must have increased in last few years. This has became part and parcel of the game. They have to make a number of appeals because they have to take the chances as much as they can. The game has became commercialised. Persons who are standing while batting are taking chances; the bowlers are taking chances. But I believe that if money is out of the game then there won't be any appealing.

But how do you react when someone misbehaves when you turn down the appeal?

The player shouldn't react angrily. You have to simply tell the bowler or fielder that the batsman is not out; that's all.

What about the present umpiring scenario in India? Since the ICC is choosing only two names, don't you think that many umpires will be deprived the privilege of standing in a Test?

Those who are doing a good job their names will be sent to the ICC through the board. This is the practice various cricketing boards have, and those names will be put on the ICC panel.

Lot of cricketers are coming into this field. Your views?

It is good for the game, but I can tell you that it is not an easy job. To play cricket and to do umpiring is altogether different. If one person has come up good that doesn't mean that each and every person will come up. But, anyway, it is good if they are coming; it is really good for cricket. But certainly you can't say that cricketers can be good umpires. Certainly not!

Do you think that with the appointment of the match referee, umpires have less power?

I don't know what power you are talking about.

Suppose someone abuses on the field and misbehaves, is it the match referee who takes the final decision?

No, no. It is not like that. If a player is misbehaving and you feel it, you can rule him out. If you think that his behaviour is out of order you can ask the player to leave the field. Later on, action will be taken; after that whatever action is required it will be taken by the match referee.

And what about the third umpire? Don't you think that the third umpire has taken the burden off the two ground umpires?

The third umpire comes in handy especially in the line decisions. Thanks to him, all such decisions are taken correctly now. But I won't say that the third umpire has really taken the burden off, because the third umpire is available only in international matches. But I do believe that in domestic cricket too this should be there.

Do you think that the BCCI pays Indian umpires enough?

It is all up to the board. Whatever they feel, and the finance committee feels, it is absolutely up to them. If they feel the need to increase the money they can, if they don't, they can't.

What about you? Are you happy with what is being paid?

There is no question about happiness. We are not professional umpires. If we happen to be professional umpires we can put our demands for more money; but we aren't, so we can't.

What are the qualities that make a good umpire?

I think practice is the key. He should periodically do at least one good match to be in touch with active cricket. You also require lot of patience and concentration. Theoretical knowledge about the laws are fine but you have got to practically implement those laws. Without match practice you can never give a good performance.

When did you start taking a serious interest in umpiring?

In 1976, after completing my post-graduation from Agra University. I then joined Indian Airlines and the Delhi Gymkhana Cricket Club. I qualified for the Ranji Trophy and other first-class matches in 1980.

It is commonly believed that Dicky Bird was the best umpire the game has seen. Would you subscribe to the view?

I wouldn't say whether he was the best or not, but the fact is any person who has stood in 60-plus Tests and so many one-day internationals must be very, very good.

And who is the best in India?

Venkat is No.1; no question about that.

Is he the best also from the list of cricketers turned umpires?

Oh, surely, he is the best.

What about the umpires' age limit?

Those who have done Tests and one-day matches it is 60 years, and those who haven't, I think it is 55 years.

But Dicky Bird stood in the Tests even after completing 60 years.

Yes, that's right. But it is up to the board. If they feel that a particular umpire is good enough even after 60 years they can put forward his name.

Finally, what are your future plans?

I want to see more and more boys play cricket with serious attitude. Maybe, I would like to write a book also. That book will be very interesting I think.

Interviews