Inscrutable are the ways of Indian selectors. On the one hand they keep lamenting the lack of a reliable all-rounder in the Indian one-day team. On the other, they keep ignoring someone like Dinesh Mongia, who has proved his ability with bat and ball on dozens of occasions, not just in the shorter version of the game but in longer duration as well.
The latest to benefit from Mongia's all-round skills was Leicestershire, for whom he performed consistently -- in four-day, one-day and Twenty20 matches -- in the last English season. But there is just no place for him in the Indian side for some mysterious reasons. Though he figured in 51 one-day internationals so far, he has never been a regular member of the team despite his fairly impressive record of 1073 runs, including a century (159 not out against Zimbabwe at Guwahati in 2002) in 45 innings (six times not out), at an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 73.39.
In an exclusive interview with Haresh Pandya during the Duleep Trophy match between North Zone and East Zone at Rajkot last week, Mongia expressed remorse at being given the cold shoulder for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.
How are your feelings at not being selected in the Indian team for the about-to-start one-day series against Sri Lanka at home, especially after your impressive performance for Leicestershire in the last English season?
I feel terribly frustrated. I thought my performance in England wouldn't have gone unnoticed in India and I was really hoping I'd be one of the first players to be picked for the one-day series against Sri Lanka. I don't know what more I should do to get back into the Indian team, or what more the selectors expect of me.
You were one of the probables for India's last tour of Sri Lanka. But there was no place for you in the final party. How did you take it?
I was very disappointed at that time, too, just as I'm now. I'm not like those who show promise but are found wanting in sterling performances. I've not only the talent but also the performance to match it and stake my claim for a place in the national side. I had done reasonably well in the World Cup, too. I batted in six games and that also against better teams. I claimed six wickets and also took nine catches, more than any other player in the tournament.
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Have you tried to figure out why you find yourself out of the Indian side most of the time?
Not really. But all this is very, very frustrating. They should at least tell me what my fault is or what they want from me. It isn't that I haven't done well for the country. I've, and in all departments of the game for that matter. When others fail, they don't talk about it; but when I fail in a game or two they make an issue out of it. I say give me the right answers, show me the reasons for my omission.
Have you ever talked to the selectors in this regard?
I've approached the North Zone selectors and asked them to let me know frankly why I'm being ignored or sidelined, but they haven't told me anything.
Have you approached Kiran More, the chairman of selectors?
No, I haven't. I've talked to the North Zone selectors only.
Have you approached Greg Chappell?
Yes, I have met him and also sought his opinion.
What did he say?
He advised me not to lose heart and keep performing and trying with a positive attitude. He showed interest in my case and sounded very encouraging. As long as he is there I've some hopes that I might get to play for the country again.
What makes you think so?
My talent, my performance and Chappell's understanding of cricket, and the interest and encouragement with which he talked to me. After all, he has played and seen a lot of cricket and watched hundreds of players.
Are you happy with your record for India so far?
Yes and no. Yes, because I think I've done fairly well in the limited opportunities I've got on odd occasions. No, because I feel I could have done better given the talent I have. But no one can say I haven't done well. In fact, I've done whatever the team management asked me to. I've batted at different positions and also opened the innings. I had often to sacrifice my wicket for the sake of the team. I could have hanged in there and improved my average. But I'll be the last person to do so. I've always played for the team, not for myself. This is what cricket is all about.
I've been fighting for a permanent place in the Indian side for the last four years now. Is this a reward of my loyalty, my sincerity?
Your average is less than 30, not more than 35, which could be one of the reasons why you've failed to win the confidence of the selectors...
It's too much to expect an average of 35-plus or 40-plus from a batsman who is usually sent in at No. 6 or 7 in one-day cricket. With only a few overs left, the last thing on your mind, when you go there, is defend the ball. You've no other option but to hit the ball hard in order to score as many quick runs as possible. Of course, you can expect an average of 40-plus if I bat regularly up in the order. Batting down the order you tend to play under some sort of psychological pressure; more so when you aren't sure of your place in the very next game. This isn't the case with those who may not necessarily be consistent performers but are regular members of the team.
Give me, say, six or ten matches and assurance that I won't be dropped from them and then see how I perform. When you get to play only a couple of matches, the fear of failure and losing your place from the side keep haunting you. Howsoever hard you may try, you can't possibly give your best in such a situation.
Considering the petty politics that is rampant in Indian cricket, do you think hailing from and playing for Punjab may have something to do with what has been happening with you?
No, no, I don't think so. It's not likely. All I can say is I've hurt nobody, offended no one and said nothing against anyone. All I do is let my bat and ball do the talking.
How seriously do you take your left-arm spin bowling?
I take my bowling very seriously. The Leicestershire captain had understood the value of my bowling and he used me judiciously in all kinds of cricket. I think my bowling is a bonus because I'm principally a batsman. People talk about some players' fielding as their plus points. Isn't my bowling my plus point? And am I not an agile and safe, if not flamboyant, fielder also? Bowling successfully in varied and unpredictable English conditions has given me new confidence.
How was it like playing for Lancashire earlier and Leicestershire now?
It's great. It's an education seeing many stars in action. It's a special feeling playing with and against many topnotch players of the world. The County experience has made me more competitive and my approach more professional.
How do you visualise your future?
I'm only 27, which isn't an old age for a cricketer. I'm fully fit, in good form and have a lot of cricket left in me. I'm keen to represent the country again and cement my place in Team India. I haven't given up hopes, although I'm very, very frustrated by the kind of treatment I've been receiving, particularly when I've done well for the country.
