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Click here to go to the main page of People. Sunil Bandacharya Joshi, the former India cricketer and the most experienced left arm spin bowler of the State, in his mid - thirties and being fit as a fiddle, he is still looking forward to find place in India's National team for both Test cricket and One - Day International matches. Star of Mysore special correspondent, Kodandera Harish Machia, had a tete – a - tete with the ace cricketer in Mysore following his yet another good showing against the West Bengal team. Excerpts from the interview. People sometimes say, "Sunil Joshi does not have the stomach for a battle." How do you react? How do you rate this quality generally in comparison with the Australians or South Africans?
I leave it to you to work out the puzzle, paradox and perspective. I have slogged it out to achieve whatever little I have been able to. There was a time when I was commuting by bus or any other available means of transport daily covering around 70 kms to practice cricket. To this day, round the year, I follow a strict regimen of fitness and practice to keep myself fighting fit. Thanks to Canara Bank, my employers, who have been outstanding in their support for sport and sportsmen, I have been carrying the unflagging commitment of keeping myself countable amongst those who deservedly can make a comeback into the Indian cricket team. I have been consistently topping the bowling averages in the domestic circuit for the last three years and have been turning out decent scores in my batting too. I am regularly playing each year in the English League. I make it a point to play for a Charity Organisation event at Antigua, West Indies, as part of the great Sir Vivian Richards' offer. Sir Vivian Richards' words keep ringing in me always when he keeps inspiring and motivating me by saying, "Play with your heart and do not play to get the attention of the selectors." I surely have the fire in my belly when it is specially reminded to me by greats of the stature of Sir Vivian Richards, who vividly recalls the innings where Carl Hooper hit my first ball to him out of the ground and was out caught at slip the very next ball. That I suppose is grit and testimony to the fact that I have it in me. 
Sunil Joshi with Mysore DC Mr. Selva Kumar and Star of Mysore Editor Mr. K. B. Ganapathy
We could see it distinctly the way you carry yourself with your team members and friends around here.
I have been brought up that way and I suppose it is the family culture and upbringing that makes a man humble. Humility is a trait that needs to be cultivated. I am forced to share with you a name of a cricketing legend, Anil Kumble, who is an embodiment of humility and hard work. He is a superb gentleman and has been my role model.
Your dream analysis that read 10 – 6 – 6 - 5 in the One - Dayer against South Africa has been simply fantastic. How do you recall that innings and day.
I recall that morning when I woke up and to this day I am not able to explain a unique feeling that was happening to me. I called my wife to be able to find out what it could be. Our Coach Anshuman Gaekwad asked me to keep cool, be confident and be focussed. In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, who captained the side, gave me the ball and whoops! The first delivery turned and bounced. I knew that the something happening was probably a portender of the dream analysis that you are now referring to. It was great. I relive it to this day. Everything that day was Utopia. My stride, my line, length, confidence, delivery, flight, spin, bounce, magic, you name it, it was the day. Ranji, Tests, One - Dayers: How do cricket and cricketers differ at these different levels?
The game is the same. It only depends on what you do how and when. But the essential underlined word is adaptability. A player who can adapt himself to any situation can conquer any opposition. It is his mettle and the mind. How has Sunil Joshi endured and still is talked about, discussed and debated?
To this day, I make it a point to jot down every minute detail of every day of each match I play. I analyse the plusses and the limitations and discuss with my Guru and pole - star, Bishen Singh Bedi. This man is phenomenal in the fact that he is virtually a dossier of everything and every one involved with cricket in India. He is a fine counsellor, an adept consultant and a caring gentleman rolled into one. He has that unique ability to give you a pep talk, inspire you and tell you what needs to be done as the situation demands. There was this Duleep Trophy match where after bowling 25 overs and conceding 50 runs, I could bag just one wicket. Promptly, I called up Bedi Sir who, after giving me the necessary vim, tells me he is going to be with me the next day. There he was and viola! I bagged 5 wickets. How and why is for you to guess. It has always been amazing at the quest for learning a man of Bishen Singh Bedi's stature could still have. He asks me to bowl for the youngsters to have a look at the Spin Academy where he is the head. The day Bishen Singh Bedi said that he could see himself in my bowling action and approach, I was elated and content. I am still at it to emulate him. This is my answer. [At this point, Sunil Joshi is interrupted by a telephone call from Sir Vivian Richards from England to confirm his participation in the year 2006 beginning April]. Could you please give us words of advice for youngsters planning a career in cricket? What are the principal qualities for them to develop?
I would not like to advice but can certainly share with you some tips on how I could make it and how I have seen great players, both past and contemporary, excel — Adaptability, commitment, discipline, dedication, enthusiasm, never – say - die attitude, team first approach, and a resolve not to bring disrepute to a gentleman's game called cricket. Let me cite Mahendra Singh Dhoni's adaptability factor from being a ODI success to his present Test player competence. Let me tell you Sachin Tendulkar's greatness for not having had one black mark in his illustrious career and even this morning when he had a suspect decision going against him, he simply accepts the decision and walks off. The understanding that even umpires are human and prone to err is what makes one stand out. I thank cricket for making me what I am today economically, socially, culturally and as a human being who can understand another. I make it a point to play for and reach out to my fellow team members. Courtesy: Star of Mysore Click here if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
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