Even a haul of 236 wickets gives little indication ofJavagal Srinath’s contribution to the Indian team in a 12-year-long Testcareer. More telling, perhaps, is the fact that when Srinath first announced hisretirement, his captain just refused to let him hang up his boots. One ofIndia’s greatest fast bowlers ever speaks to Outlook aboutIndia-Pakistan cricket and his happiest memories.
Was there any extra pressure when you played anIndia-Pakistan series?
There was always extra attention before this series. Not onlyin India, but in all parts of the world. That is what is unique about thisseries. I'm sure it will continue in the same way in the times to come. Everycricket follower is geared up to follow the series. I'm sure, there'll be toomuch hype about the forthcoming series as well. We all should support the cause,the game of cricket that is. Cricket, ultimately, should be the winner.
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Do you think there will be less tension in the comingseries since the border is cool?
If the equation is only sport, there should be no tension. Wehave sporting idols in both the countries. They should come forward to tell thecommon people that it's always better to enjoy the game without getting carriedaway for irrational reasons. I'm happy that there's a healthy relation betweenthe dressing rooms and also that the political situation is much better.
Which is your most memorable moment of an India-Pakistanseries?
When Anil Kumble got his ten wickets at the Feroze Shah Kotla.
No, I'm talking about your achievement?
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Yes, I know. I was the bowler whom Azhar wanted to bowl fromthe other end after Anil got nine and I was praying to God that I should not getthe last one! For the first time in my career, I sincerely wanted that I shouldnot take that wicket. So, I was bowling far outside the off-stump. And what arelief it was when Anil got his tenth! Because Anil made history and I was apart of it. I think that was a moment of glory for all of us. Anil was thenucleus and we all enjoyed circling around him. Ten wickets, my goodness. Idon't think we'll be able to see somebody perform a similar miracle in the nearfuture.
What about you? Will you mention the Bangalore World Cupmatch, which India won against Pakistan, in 1996?
Maybe, but I will also remember the World Cup match atCenturion against Pakistan in 2003. That was really a massive victory for all ofus.
What about your eight-wicket haul in the Kolkata Test in1998-99?
Individually, I got 13 (five in the first, eight in thesecond), got the man-of-the-match award with Saeed Anwar, yet Pakistan won by 46runs. Team always comes first. You can't enjoy your success when your team failsto win. As far as this Test match performance, it would be in the top bracketbut I would always hesitate to mention it simply because we lost the match.
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Do you think we have a good chance to win this time?
Why not? I think Pathan, Zaheer, Anil and Harbhajan will be agood combination to get 20 Pakistan wickets. We have to bat well again.
What should be India's strategy - to attack from the wordgo?
I think it should be left to the team. What we would like tosee is India winning the very first Test match. This is very important in thesense that we can then create some pressure on them.
