Debasis Sen, Galle: Former Sri Lankan great Roy Dias feel Virat Kohli has all the attributes in him to rule world cricket in the near future. Dias, who is now involved with grooming the future generation of Sri Lankan cricketers feel with the right kind of planning and structuring, the country’s cricket will move forward. In a free-wheeling chat over the phone from Colombo, Dias talks about the first series win against India, the century he missed in Chennai, the friendship he shared with the Indians, the current phase of Sri Lankan cricket and so on. Here are the excerpts from the interview…
What do you make out for Virat Kohli?
He’s the No 1 batsman in the world, so you can’t talk much about that I like to. I like to watch him bat, because all coaches can learn a few things from what he’s doing, because every coach teaches you the basics, and when a person at the top level does that, you’ve a chance to explaining to the youngsters see, this is what’s happening.
If you were to compare Virat with legends like Gavaskar and Tendulkar, where will you rate him?
I feel that it’s very wrong to talk about the past and present. All are brilliant. No doubt about it. It’s just that everyone has a different style, but his records speak for himself.
What’s the greatest attribute of Virat?
I think he’s a much matured player now. He’s also a finisher like a few of our Sri Lankan greats-Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga. He wants to win and finish every game, which is good to see. As a cricketer, you’ve some pride. When you’re the No 1 batsman in the world, you want to exactly why show that why you’re rated that highly, likes Gavaskar and Sachin did in their time.
Sri Lanka has produced many great cricketers over the years. But why aren’t any talents coming up these days?
I think we’ve got plenty of talent, there’s no doubt about it. We’ve plenty of skills. It’s just that we’d groomed them the correct way. There’s nothing to say that we don’t have talent. There’s plenty of talent in this country, it’s just that we’ve to provide them with exposure and see how they continue from there, especially the discipline part.
Do you feel that Sri Lanka is passing through a transition phase?
I don’t think we can say that. I don’t think that we’ve fallen back. We’ve got some quality young cricketers and there are few who haven’t got into the big league. But I must say that in the years to come with the experience and exposure our youngsters will shine. They’ve to learn how to finish a game. Also, you need a bit of luck as well. It takes time to produce great cricketers. You can’t have a Mahela Jayawardene or a Kumar Sangakkara overnight. People will have to be patient. It’s just like the West Indies, they had a fantastic side, but then they slipped. You Give Sri Lanka a few months. They’ve a settled side now. They just need a ‘winning feeling,’ which is a must, since it gives you confidence.
Talk us about the relationship you shared with the Indian cricketers?
They’re all close friends. When Kapil wrote his autobiography, his wife asked me to write an article on him. I met Rahul Dravid during the U-19 Asia Cup recently, and I remember I met him first when was just 12-year-old kid who’d accompanied his father to a dinner at a friend’s place when we were touring India (in 1986). He has a photograph with me of that time, and he took my autograph too. When I met him in Bangalore recently as the coach of the Nepal U-19 team, I requested him to have a word with my boys. I also told him that 24 years earlier, you took my autograph, and now I want yours! That’s the kind of friendship I have. The current India coach Shastri was very young when we played in 1985.
Can you take us back to the innings you played in Kandy to save a Test for Sri Lanka back in 1985-86?
On the last day, we were chasing 375 runs I think, and we were 21 for three on the fourth evening. So I and Duleep had to just bat on to save the match and that’s what we did.
And the first series win against India in 1985?
It was a good experience. I couldn’t get runs in the first Test at SSC. We were chasing about 111 in around 12-15 overs. But then we just couldn’t make it because once we lost five wickets, we thought ‘ok that’s it.’ We could’ve been all out in 12 overs. But then came the second Test, which was ok for me, because I got 95 in the first innings and 60 not out in the second. And then we had a chance of winning because our bowlers-Rumesh Ratnayake and Asantha de Mel bowled really well. Our spinners did well too. It was a good win-no doubt. To achieve our first Test win in Sri Lanka was great.
Lastly, do you still regret missing out on a hundred (he scored 97) at Chennai?
I was getting runs right from the start, when Sunil (Gavaskar) suddenly gave the ball to Shukla (Rakesh), who was bowling leg spin. I thought I would leave the ball, but it popped up even as I stretched in my stride. Later, Sunil came inside our dressing room and told me ‘You’ve played one of the best innings I’ve seen.’ That felt virtually like a hundred for me. To hear that from a legend, who’d come all the way to my dressing room, to tell that, it felt great. I still cherish that moment.