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00:00Good afternoon to all the beautiful people of the world. The Asia Cup is about to start in a couple of days.
00:06And I have a very, very special guest on my show, who is called the Lords of Lords, who scored 3,000,000,000,000 at the Mecca of cricket.
00:15Who has been playing in the 1983 World Cup. He was a part of the 83 World Cup where India won the World Cup.
00:23And he has done wonders by playing not only for 100 test matches, but scored brilliant 100s all across the world.
00:30We have none other than the colonel Sir Dilip Mangsarkar. Welcome to the show.
00:34Thank you. Thank you, Anish. Thanks a lot. It's always a pleasure to be on your show.
00:40That's so sweet of you, Dilip Sir. And to be very honest, for me, when I talk to legends like you, I get goosebumps.
00:48No matter, we might meet in person, but talking about cricket takes me back to my olden days.
00:53True. Absolutely. Yeah, you're right. Yes.
00:57All right. So, you know, we mentioned in the introduction about the Asia Cup, Dilip Sir.
01:03So, you were there in the first Asia Cup, which happened in Sharjah, 1984. Can you take us through that Asia Cup?
01:10Well, we had toured Sharjah after we came from Australia. That was way back in 1980-81.
01:18And then we came to Sharjah for the first time. And I think it was a matting wicket, a cement wicket, and that put Astrodub on top.
01:31You know, the stands were temporary, but it was completely full house because it was India-Pakistan.
01:37It was, I think, organized by Ashif Iqbal. You know, the beneficiaries were Madhav Mantri, I think from Mumbai, from the Indian side.
01:47And maybe Hanif Mohammed from Pakistan. I don't remember exactly.
01:52But since then, I think they saw that there's a huge amount of backing for the game in Sharjah, in Dubai as well.
02:01So, then they started immediately, maybe in 1982. 1982, we started this. And then we played a lot of matches there.
02:10And of course, Bukhatir was the one who organized it. And they organized it superbly. And we enjoyed each and every outing out there.
02:20I think we used to play in the month of April. But I think considering the huge demand for India-Pakistan matches, I think we started also in October.
02:32So, we used to play twice a year. But nonetheless, I think it was excellent because I think we could see the emotions running very high in those matches.
02:45And it was backed up by Indians and Pakistanis in equal numbers. So, we enjoyed that pressure also. And enjoyed those games as well.
02:55Very true, Dilip sir. I remember hearing that first Asia Cup in Sharjah, which was in 1984, it was on radio commentary.
03:04At that time, they were not showing live. So, at that time, we heard about, of course, we knew all about you.
03:09But we came across a bloke who was the man of the series, Surinder Khanna.
03:14Yes.
03:15Can you tell us about Surinder Khanna? Because I had met him once upon a time in the stadium. But he was a wicket-keeper batsman, if I am not wrong.
03:22Yes, Surinder was a wicket-keeper batsman. He came on a tour of England in 1982. And then, of course, he played in the Asia Cup as well.
03:32He was a very attacking, opening batsman. And he was very consistent at playing for Delhi. He did very well.
03:41And I remember, I think he was a very prolific scorer in domestic cricket in India. And so, he was given an opportunity to keep wickets as well as open the innings.
03:51And he did remarkably well.
03:54Very true.
03:56And he got man of the match in each and every match, I would say. Because we hardly lost any wickets. Because I think Gulam was another opening batsman.
04:06Gulam Parker.
04:07Gulam Parker. So, he was there from Mumbai as well. And he did very well. So, we hardly lost any wickets, I think, during the entire tournament.
04:18True. Very true. Now, before I come to the 86-1, I want to talk about the 88-1 where you will beat Sri Lanka and you scored a magnificent half-century not out.
04:25Do you remember about the innings against Sri Lanka?
04:27Actually, I played a lot of innings in Sharjah. But I remember that 86-1…
04:33This was in Bangladesh.
04:35Oh, yes. Of course. Of course. I think I was the captain of the team that time.
04:39Yes.
04:40But that was way back in 1988.
04:42Yes, I said 88.
04:4388, yes. Yes, we played in Bangladesh. Isha Cup in Bangladesh. And of course, Pakistan was led by Abdul Qadir. I still remember very much.
04:53I think we beat them in the semi-finals. At that time, Mohinder Raman had played fantastic innings. He scored 70 or not out. He played so well.
05:06And in the finals, of course, we beat Sri Lanka. But that was an easy match for us. But India-Pakistan was an absolutely big game for us. And it was a close finish.
05:18Yes.
05:19He held his nose very well. And he played so well.
05:22And I remember Kirti Azad, if I am not wrong, was one of the wicket-tickers in that game.
05:27I don't remember Kirti, I think, played at all in that tournament.
05:32Okay.
05:33But he was part of the 1983 World Cup.
05:35But that was a very special win. I remember beating Pakistan.
05:39Now, it wouldn't be unfair or rather fair. I, as an Indian fan, went through the tears in the 1986 Australasia Cup, which happened in Sharjah, where Javed Miadar hit that last six.
05:52Where I remember, I think, there were 100 overs of game. We dominated probably the 40 overs of the first part and the 40 overs of the second part.
06:03I am sure you know when you and Sunny were batting, we were 200 for 1 when we lost your wicket or Sunny's wicket.
06:09And then we collapsed to 247 with Vakar and Imran running through. Rather, Wasim Akran and Imran Khan running through and we were bowled out for 248.
06:20But when they came to bat, we got wickets early. But then the great Miadar turned the match on its head.
06:26Tell us about that experience and how you felt when that six was hit.
06:30To be honest with you, I think before that match, we used to beat Pakistan, I think, every time.
06:36I think in 1985, just before 1986, in 1985, I think we were all out for 125.
06:44And they thought that they would win the match easily.
06:48Yes.
06:49But they were all out for 88.
06:51Yes.
06:52I remember that match very vividly.
06:54I was going to come to that later. But anyways, you have already mentioned it. So, please go on. All the fans would like to hear about it.
07:00And then in 1986, I think we had scored 245 or something like that. And they were 180 for 8 wickets. So, we had almost won the game.
07:10But Javed Miadar, I think, was a fighter and a great player, I would say.
07:16And I think he was excellent. I think taking ones and twos, that's what he did.
07:22And he came very close to winning the match. And in the end, of course, he hit that last ball six.
07:29And they were ecstatic, actually, after winning the match, obviously.
07:34Because they were pitting India for the first time in Sharjah.
07:39But that was a very close finish. Everybody was absolutely shattered.
07:43Because we had not expected, I think, 8-10 and Jack, I think, to be around for a long time.
07:51Because they had to score almost 60-70 runs. And they did it. I think hats off to Javed Miadar.
08:00I can assure you, Dhiraj sir, the whole of India and I am sure all of you must have felt bad.
08:06I remember weeping in that match. And when that six was hit by Miadar, it created a mental scare for the Indian team in Sharjah.
08:16They were almost winning the next few matches for a long time.
08:20Yes, yes, true. Very true. But I think the entire team played so well, Pakistan team.
08:28And I think they of course kept winning later on also.
08:31And Imran Khan, I think, was a great player. Outstanding all-rounder.
08:38Imran, of course, he was a great captain. One of the best I have seen.
08:45And he was late from the front. So I guess that was a close finish, a close game.
08:51And we all enjoyed it. Unfortunately, we lost.
08:53Right. Since you mentioned about that 125 game, we will run through it.
08:57Just for our listeners, you know, when India were put into bad on a green top.
09:02At that time, I never knew what is a green top. But we were bowled out through Imran's skill, 6-for-15.
09:07And we were allowed for 125. And you all came back, went to sleep.
09:11I heard that you all went to sleep in the afternoon because our innings got over early.
09:16And then when you all came back, you all scheduled out Pakistan for Indy.
09:19How was that feeling?
09:20Yeah, actually, we had come from Australia after winning the Benson Hedges tournament.
09:26Absolutely.
09:27I remember that. And then, of course, we toured Sharjah.
09:32And that was the first game of the tournament, India versus Pakistan.
09:38And Imran bowled a brilliant spin. And we lost wickets early also.
09:45And then I think, you know, there was at least one partnership, but there was no partnership.
09:50And we were allowed for 125. So that was the lowest score.
09:54And I think anybody would win from that score, you know.
09:58But Pakistan is under pressure. I think when they came into bat and they lost early wickets.
10:07And their main batsmen, Javed Mehandad, Rameez Raja, they all got out.
10:10Imran Khan was out for a duck or something like that.
10:13And our bowlers bowled extremely well. I think Kapil Dev.
10:17Ramkrishnan.
10:19He was there.
10:20Ravi Shastri.
10:22And then, of course, Ravi Shastri. He also got wickets.
10:25And we took all the catches. So that was very important for us.
10:29So that was a good victory for us.
10:32So, Dilip sir, you know, you saw two matches where one match you got bowled out for 125.
10:38You bowled the opposition out for 87.
10:41And there was one match which we had almost won, but Mehandad took it out from our hands.
10:45So how as a player or how players adjust to such losses and wins?
10:53Well, I think it's very difficult to digest when you lose a match which you thought you should have won.
11:00But that's part of the game.
11:02It takes some time to get to terms with the terms that you lost the match.
11:09And that next match will be a fresh match.
11:14So we have to wait for that.
11:16And you have to perform.
11:18Because every day is a different day.
11:21I think they had their day and they won the matches.
11:24And we also won the matches.
11:27But of course, I think people at both the contests enjoyed cricket.
11:31Absolutely fine.
11:32And fans, you know, we are lucky to once again see Asia Cup happening here.
11:38So I want to come to the point where you have seen the Indian squad and you have seen the Pakistani squad.
11:45So first let me talk about the Indian squad.
11:47Do you feel the bowling attack is okay or we are thin on paper in the absence of Bhumra?
11:54Yeah, of course, Bhumra is a great bowler.
11:57And he did extremely well in the past.
11:59But again, I would say that India has got fantastic bench strength.
12:03Because if you see in IPL also, they scored a lot of fast bowlers, which wasn't the case at that time when we played.
12:11There are a lot of options now as far as fast bowling is concerned and as far as good spinners are concerned.
12:18So actually, I am very happy that we have got good bench strength.
12:23So I think we won't be missing anybody for that matter.
12:28Batting is always a strong point as far as India is concerned.
12:31And we got a very balanced team with Hardik when they are coming in.
12:34He is a great all-rounder.
12:36I think he is in fantastic form also.
12:39So we hope in that as well in the tournament.
12:43We have Arshneet Singh and Avish Khan, the two rookies.
12:46One is a left-armer and one is a right-arm pace.
12:49And we have the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the attack along with Hardik to bowl.
12:56And the spin looks to me better.
12:58But would you like to say anything about the new boys, Avish and Arshneet?
13:03Yeah, they have got tremendous potential.
13:06Because if you see the way they bowl in the high-pressure IPL games, I think they were outstanding.
13:12And I am very glad that they have been able to get the spot.
13:17And I am sure they will deliver.
13:19Alright.
13:20Now, like India don't have Goombra, Pakistan have also suffered a setback.
13:24Where the guy who won them last year's T20 World Cup against us, the left-armer, Shaheen Shafridi, is also missing due to injury.
13:31So big blow for them also? You feel so?
13:34I think so because he is in great form here.
13:37We are doing extremely well.
13:40But of course, fitness is very important.
13:44And it is unfortunate that he won't be playing.
13:46Because if he was there, then of course, it always adds to the interest.
13:54Because he is such a fine bowler.
13:56And he bowled extremely well in the last match against India.
14:04Well, I think they will miss him.
14:06But we hope that others would chip in.
14:08They have Hasne, they have Naseem Shah.
14:11We will have to wait and watch how these new bowlers…
14:14But when we compare the batting, on paper, India's batting looks stronger with the likes of Rohit, Rahul, Virat, Pant, Hardik, Surya.
14:25We look to be a much settled batting order because they have a little bit of inexperience in their batting.
14:30Because batting Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, their batting looks thin on paper.
14:36Inexperience?
14:37Yeah, but in the T20 format, you can't underestimate any batsman or batting line-up for that matter.
14:44Because it is a matter of 2-3 good overs and bad overs.
14:49Especially in this format.
14:52And in the last time, or last year for that matter, I think they did very well.
14:58We have not heard about some of the players they have in Pakistan.
15:04But they did extremely well. They beat India in that format.
15:08So, you can't underestimate any player for that matter.
15:12Because India-Pakistan is a different game.
15:14And I am sure those who are mentally tougher, I think will do extremely well.
15:19Very fair, very fair point. Very unpredictable.
15:23And you can never discount any team when there is an India-Pakistan match.
15:27You never know which team is going to turn up on that particular match.
15:31Especially Pakistan.
15:32Yes, Pakistan is a very unpredictable team to be honest.
15:36Because they are outstanding players.
15:40They are extremely talented players.
15:43And they would click any time.
15:45And how do you see Virat Kohli going in this tournament?
15:50Virat is one of the best players in the world of cricket.
15:53And I am a huge fan of Virat Kohli.
15:55Unfortunately, even though he was scoring runs in the last IPL, he has failed miserably.
16:01And I think his lean patch is going far too long for that matter.
16:06Because he is a great player.
16:07I hope he scores 100 against Pakistan.
16:10That is very important.
16:11I am sure he is prepared well.
16:14Because all this time, I just met him at BKC Bandra.
16:18He was practicing in the indoors.
16:20And he looks lean and fit.
16:22And absolutely ready to go.
16:24We all hope so.
16:26We as Indians, we hope that Virat Kohli, as you said, scores at least 100.
16:31It is almost going to be three years now.
16:33Because I remember when he scored against Bangladesh in that test match.
16:36We sincerely hope that it turns out to.
16:39If you had to pick a winner between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup,
16:43we are supposed to play them twice.
16:45One is on 28.
16:47One is on 4th.
16:48And then, if God willing, we might play them in the finals.
16:52So, what do you see? The scoreline? 2-1 or 3-0 in India's favour?
16:56See, if you see, at the end of the day, India is a far better team.
17:01But then, it could be anybody's game.
17:04And especially in this format.
17:06He plays very well. I think he would win.
17:09But I would hate to stick my neck out and say who would be the winner.
17:13So, there are three games.
17:15So, let's presume, as I said, two league games and one final.
17:21So, if you had to say, it will be 3-1, 2-1 in India's favour?
17:243-0 or 2-1 in India's favour?
17:26I hope India wins all the matches.
17:28Because they are a very strong side.
17:30But as I said before, I think in this format,
17:33they do three bad overs or good overs.
17:35And you can win your game or lose your game.
17:38Well, that's what Dilip Banksekar says.
17:40That India is a very strong side.
17:42But Pakistan is an unpredictable team.
17:45They can turn up on any day like they did last year and beat us.
17:48And took the monkey off the back by beating India in a World Cup game.
17:53And this is actually an ideal platform for both the teams
17:56before the marquee event in Australia.
17:58Dilip sir, thank you very much once again.
18:00As always, it's a pleasure to have a legend like you on our show.
18:03And as I said, it brings all the memories back
18:07from the time when you started in 1984, the Asia Cup.
18:10And we went through the journey of 84, 86, 88.
18:13And you mentioned about the 85, the 125 and the Miarad 6.
18:17It was great talking with you, sir.
18:20Thank you very much. It's always been an honour.
18:22And I'm very happy to be on your show.
18:24Just call me anytime. I'll be there.
18:26That is so sweet of you.
18:27And as I've always said, in Dubai, if you are here, do let me know.
18:31In fact, I'll send you an invite where probably we are inviting
18:35all the Indians and Pakistanis at my home to see this game.
18:39And we have given the name of the show, Do Desh Ek Jaan.
18:42This is where we can have the banter when the match is going on
18:47and off when the match is over, we are friends.
18:50Well, you have a good time. That's important.
18:53I hope it's going to be a close game and you enjoy the game.
18:58That's very important.
18:59And Indians and Pakistanis in equal numbers,
19:01I'm sure you will have a great time together.
19:04Thank you. Thank you, sir.
19:05You take care of yourself and look forward to catching up with you soon.
19:08Thank you. All the very best.
19:10Take care. Bye bye.