A fair sprinkling of Rajasthani royalty mingled with a large group of cricket buffs to befittingly acknowledge Raj Singh Dungarpur as a man with a large heart, a great human being, cricketer and a fine administrator on the occasion of the release of a book titled “Raj Singh Dungarpur – A Tribute’’ at the C.K. Nayudu, Cricket Club of India on Friday evening.
For obvious reasons Sachin Tendulkar was the straightforward choice of the Dungarpur family to release the book. Raj Singh, along with Madhav Apte and Miling Rege were instrumental in awarding playing membership of the CCI to 13-year-old Tendulkar, when the club rules debarred under-18 cricketers from entering the dressing room and use of other facilities. Secondly Raj Singh, as chairman of the BCCI senior national selection committee, told Tendulkar that he would not go to the West Indies in 1989 and later chose him for the tour to Pakistan the same year. Eventually Raj Singh selected Tendulkar for the 1989 tour of Pakistan. Raj Singh’s words were: “His (Tendulkar’s) selection went like a shot.
Held up at Hyderabad airport, Tendulkar arrived for the function two hours behind schedule, released the book and said: “First of all, sorry for being late and thanks for your patience. ... But the best feeling was the fact that I was actually able to be here and hold this book in my hand which gives me tremendous joy and above all satisfaction because I know exactly how big a role Rajbhai played in my life to make me the cricketer I am.’’
Tendulkar recalled the CCI playing membership episode. “I don’t know if they are allowed now, but under-18s were not allowed to be in the dressing room then. So Rajbhai said we have to make him play for CCI and that the rule doesn’t apply. He said I have to get all facilities so that I am happy being with CCI. It was a completely new environment for me. He was instrumental in making me feel comfortable and that is where the ball started rolling. Rajbhai was again instrumental in finding a sponsor for my tour to England with Kailash Gattani’s Star Cricket Club tour. He told me “Tumhi cricket khelaayche, baakiche kaam maazyawarti sodaayche (you play cricket, leave the rest to me)”.
The champion batsman who retired after playing his 200th Test last year said he has been encouraged by Rajbhai as chairman of selectors and manager of the Indian team. “He was more of a father figure. Everyone looked up to him, everyone respected him,everyone wanted to be around him. While the media was debating about whether I should be going to the West Indies in 1989, he told me during the Bombay net session that I should focus on Ranji Trophy and that I am not going to the West Indies. I am extremely glad that all my efforts didn’t go in vain and I got to launch this book personally. I know Rajbhai is sitting somewhere in this room and smiling at me and saying “what have you been to today!”