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October 25, 1997
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The Cricket Interview/Syed Saba Karim
'Toronto gave us confidence, made us realise that if every player plays his role properly, we can win'
Syed Saba Karim, who turns 30 on November 14, is one player in the Indian side who should know what a yo-yo feels.
His story is in fact illustrative of the quirks of India's selection policy. He was first picked for the Indian squad at the age of 22. It took him a little over seven years from that day, however, to actually get to play for the country.
Picked as a batting wicketkeeper, he made his debut against South Africa in the 1996-1997 Standard Bank Series. And in his first outing, came good with a sweetly made 55 off 48 balls with three fours and a six.
Game two of the series was the famous tie against Zimbabwe. And again, Karim produced an innings of 38 off 46 with one four, in the Indian chase that resulted in a dead heat thanks largely to the heroics of Robin Singh. In his third game, against South Africa at Port Elizabeth, Karim had made 8 off 16 and was batting fluently alongside Jadeja when Adam Bacher brought off a blinder of a catch to get rid of him. Game four of the series, against South Africa again, and Karim is unbeaten on 7 off 11. 10 off 15 came in the next game, against Zimbabwe.
And in the final game of the league, against Zimbabwe at Benoni? Karim -- 118 off 136 deliveries thus far in five innings batting invariably at the death, and inclusive of one not out -- found himself sitting in the pavilion, while Nayan Mongia came back into the side.
The kind of thing that can sour a guy -- and its happened to Karim time and again, since. In fact, Karim's career follows a pretty predictable pattern. Taken into the team. Does reasonably well. Replaced by Mongia. Who does badly. And is replaced by Karim... and so on...
A common refrain throughout has been that Karim has never really fulfilled his potential as a batsman. That he is not capable of playing the solid innings under pressure.
Not any more. Not after Karachi, in the recent Wills Challenge series against Pakistan. In that game, Karim came in to join Robin Singh with the scoreboard reading 193/5 and India, chasing 266 to win in 47, looking to be out of the game. He left 64 runs later, having, along with Robin, brought India to within one lusty hit of a win. His personal contribution in a crisis situation? A thoughtful, well compiled 26 off 32 -- and total support during the partnership for the more experienced Robin.
So does he now feel settled in the Indian team? At least for the ODIs? This was one of the questions Syed Firdaus Ashraf asked the keeper-batsman, in course of an exclusive -- and exhaustive -- interview. Excerpts:
So how did it all begin for you? When did you get interested in the game?
My father, Syed Anwar Karim, was very interested in cricket. My two elder brothers played for their school. So I naturally followed in their footsteps, and did well in school games. Which led to my being selected for the districts level. Mine was a gradual progress -- I played Under-15, for my state. Then I toured the West Indies with the Under-19 team. At that point, I began to think that I could play for India.
And when you did play, it was at the age of almost 30. A bit late?
Actually, I toured the West Indies with the Indian team in 1989, I was 22 then. At the time, it was a good break -- but after that, I never got selected, till last year when I was picked for the tour of South Africa.
How did it feel, to be ignored all those years? Did you have any regrets, any bitterness?
No, none, what is the use of regrets? Ups and downs are a part of life. I concentrated on domestic cricket, they were important for me. I kept thinking, if I have one good season, I would have a chance to make it back to the Indian team. And that is what eventually happened. Like I said, there are downs, and also ups -- that is what life is all about, finally.
You are in the side as a specialist one day player. Teams like Australia are now talking about having two different teams, one for the ODIs and another for Tests, how do you feel about that? Do you think it is a good idea for India to emulate?
It's not fair on my part to comment. I am here to play cricket. And I enjoy playing. It's up to the Board and selectors to decide these things.
But what about you personally? You have the tag of a ODI player -- a batsman who can also keep a bit. Does that bother you?
It does not make any difference to me. One thing is always a stepping stone to another. So, if I do well in ODIs, there is no reason why I cannot be selected for the Test side.
You spoke of doing well in ODIs -- do you think you have done well enough to cement your place in the side?
Not yet. I am not entirely satisfied with my performance. I still think I need to improve a lot. I have the confidence now, I just need to perform. But today, I feel more comfortable in the team, more settled, because of my performances.
'Now I feel settled', you said. So what were your problems earlier?
I was not just settling down in the side. I had to get a feel for international cricket. I never knew how to perform at this level. Today, I am aware of the mistakes I made earlier, I have rectified them, I feel more confident and therefore more settled.
What kind of mistakes did you make earlier?
It's not something specific, that I can pinpoint. My mistakes were in terms of mental aptitude, and physical training. And here I feel, after playing one season in international cricket, I have improved.
Syed Saba Karim, continued
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