The Book That Crossed Borders:
Generating interest in India and Abroad
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The Story of 3 Naiks + 1 Naik
We played without much protection, just pads and ordinary gloves. Those days there were no helmets, chest pads, thigh pads, so in a way the players eyes were alert and had good foot movements to avoid being hit. This made Mumbai cricketers tough. Those days, the Mumbai players were called Kadoos in local lingo which showed the attitude of Mumbai players to face any odds and adapt themselves to available conditions.......
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I am talking about cricket in the late sixties and early seventies. In the growing up years, in Mumbai, mainly in the city, cricket was a sport most kids aspired to play at top level. So during my growing up years, it was cricket. Those days nearly half the test team had players from Mumbai, as Mumbai was considered the nursery of Indian cricket. Maidan cricket in Mumbai produced stalwarts in Indian cricket. It was then said, it is pretty tough to get into the Mumbai team than the Indian team.
In the early seventies, there were 3 popular Naiks playing serious cricket in Mumbai. And I was the fourth Naik. I was an aspiring all-rounder, a fast bowler and opening batsman playing for a local suburban club. I also played for my school and captained the team against ex-students team and led my Yellow house team in school. Later was selected for my college team. I was lean and tall and very passionate of the sport. I was inspired by several top Indian, West Indies, English and Australian players in batting and bowling. Friends said I played well with attacking fast bowling and decent batting. I was picking up the finer points of the game as those days we didn't have the services of a coach nor the TV. It was observing players live or in some short films and self-learning. And I did a fairly good job of it. We played against local teams and senior teams like RCF and BARC. By then I had learnt the art of bowling yorkers and pointed bouncers making the opposition batsman uncomfortable.
In a small way, the word of my fast bowling skills spread. I was asked to play for some local clubs. Since studies were a priority and my parents were particular about it, I couldn't play for the clubs nor showcase my skills much. My friends kept on encouraging me to showcase my skills, but didn't happen. When you reach a certain level, something inside you tells, you are good.
We played without much protection, just pads and ordinary gloves. Those days there were no helmets, chest pads, thigh pads, so in a way the players eyes were alert and had good foot movements to avoid being hit. This made Mumbai cricketers tough. Those days, the Mumbai players were called Kadoos in local lingo which showed the attitude of Mumbai players to face any odds and adapt themselves to available conditions. I still carry the injury marks to my right thumb and toe which happened when I was a teenager.
Now coming to the three popular Naiks who made a mark and moved forward to the next level and finally to the top. They were good and lucky too. I missed the bus!
Sudhir Naik played for Mumbai as an opening batsman and he was selected for the Indian Test team in the early seventies tour of England. He played in test cricket and soon faded out. His brother happens to be my friend and neighbor, staying in the nearby building.
Suru Naik was my classmate and residing in the same colony then and later shifted to another nearby suburb. He wrote Naik as Nayak! He was a batsman and bowled off-cutters. I think he played for Nirlon with other big names in cricket. He too played well and was lucky to be picked in the Indian team for a tour of England. He too played in test and soon faded out.
Ajit Naik was named captain to lead the Indian School boys team which had players like Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath, Syed Kirmani and others, who went on to play for India. Many expected him to play for Mumbai, but somehow he didn't get a chance to play for Mumbai and soon faded out. He was unlucky.
I remember a few big names in Mumbai cricket in the seventies who were really good and unlucky not to be selected for Indian team. Many experts would question the selectors for not picking players like Padmakar Shivalkar, Sharad Diwadkar, Mumbai captain for many years, Manohar Hardikar, Ramnath Parkar and others.
I too played serious cricket in school and college. Then it was said, it's easy to get into the Indian team but difficult to play for Mumbai. During this period I shifted residence and this was one of the reasons for losing interest in the sport as it was difficult to get back from college late evenings and go to my earlier suburb to practice bowling and batting. Another reason being cricketers were not paid much, they played for the prestige of the club, state or country. After quitting the game cricketers had to look for a job or some other source of income.
I took a decision, right or wrong, I wasn't aware. I gave up playing cricket, as my mind was more towards my interest in writing. I had already started creative writing in a small way and few of my writings were published in publications. Some of my close friends said, it was a wrong decision, and they felt I could have gone far since I was serious and played well! But something within, told me to stick to writing and creative writing!
Sometimes I still wonder whether I made the right decision of quitting cricket and concentrating on writing and later creative writing and getting into advertising and communication. My old friends still remind me, you should have continued to play. You could have gone to the next level and maybe the top too! I tell them, it's destiny!
Like to make money sitting at home!
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MyPost:
The Book That Crossed Borders:
Generating interest in India and Abroad
From Posts to Pages by Anil Naik
I am thrilled to announce the worldwide release of my new book. From screen to your shelf. The book has generated a lot of interest in India and abroad. Why readers worldwide are loving it? The book that bridges generations. It has universal appeal; the book that truly has something for everyone, perfect for readers young and old, from students seeking new perspectives to seasoned readers looking for thoughtful commentary. Dive into a curated experience with a wide spectrum of subjects, all presented with eloquence and a fresh viewpoint. Experience the best of Anil Naik’s writing in a beautiful new format.
About Book
This book is a collection of some of the most insightful and thought-provoking blogs from over the years, covering a wide range of subjects. A curated collection of blogs on a wide range of subjects, offering insights, perspectives, and ideas on current affairs, important events in history, travel and sights, and experiences. A treasure trove of thought-provoking writing, perfect for readers looking for inspiration and new viewpoints.
The book showcases a wide range of voices, perspectives, and ideas. From insightful commentary on current happenings to thought-provoking reflections on life, these writings offer a glimpse into the complexities and nuances of our world. Whether you are looking to spark new ideas, gain fresh insights, or simply enjoy engaging writing, this collection has something for everyone.
About Author
Anil Naik is a seasoned writer and creative professional with a background in advertising, communication, and journalism. After years of working in these fields, he embarked on a personal writing journey through blogging, exploring a diverse range of subjects that sparked his curiosity. The blog quickly gained a significant following in India and abroad, resonating with readers who appreciated his unique perspectives and engaging writing style. Encouraged by the response, Anil Naik curated a selection of his most popular and thought-provoking blogs into this book, offering readers a chance to experience the best of his writing in a new format.
This is his fifth book, and I
am sure you will enjoy reading this too.
The book is igniting interest in India and abroad, especially USA, Canada and Russia. Getting raving feedback.
It’s now available worldwide, in both Paperback and Ebook format. Available on Amazon worldwide, Paperback and Kindle edition and Flipkart too. Get your copy today.
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