The Marshall-Vengsarkar rivalry
If you watched 83 recently like me, you must have encountered these Patrick Eagar photos too. This is India's Dilip Vengsarkar writhing in pain after having been hit on his jaw by a Malcolm Marshall bouncer. This brought Vengsarkar's World Cup +
If you watched 83 recently like me, you must have encountered these Patrick Eagar photos too. This is India's Dilip Vengsarkar writhing in pain after having been hit on his jaw by a Malcolm Marshall bouncer. This brought Vengsarkar's World Cup +
campaign to an end as he played no part in the remaining fixtures of the tournament that India went on to win. Generally, in photos like these we do find the bowler in the background, probably raising a hand in apology or looking concerned. These photos, though, have no signs of+
Malcolm Marshall, played in the movie by his son Mali Marshall. 'Denzil' as he was fondly called was a genial man off the field despite his bowling that could instill fear in the heart of the bravest of batsmen. But he just didn't like Dilip Vengsarkar. Here's why.
The story +
The story +
goes back to 1978 when the 20-year-old bowling all-rounder made his Test debut in Bangalore.
Marshall came into bat at no. 9 and didn't even score a run but had bitter memories of the day, which, in his own admission was made bitter by Vengsarkar, who was in his 3rd year of +
Marshall came into bat at no. 9 and didn't even score a run but had bitter memories of the day, which, in his own admission was made bitter by Vengsarkar, who was in his 3rd year of +
Intl. cricket.
Writing about him in his book Marshall Arts, the West Indian wrote, " He is the one cricketer I have ever disliked and the only one I have felt consistently hostile towards. It all stems from my Test debut at Bangalore in 1978 when his constant appealing in my +
Writing about him in his book Marshall Arts, the West Indian wrote, " He is the one cricketer I have ever disliked and the only one I have felt consistently hostile towards. It all stems from my Test debut at Bangalore in 1978 when his constant appealing in my +
short innings, I believe was responsible for me being given out unfairly. It was the day I cried my way back to the pavilion and the day I was humiliated in public. I will never forget the taunts and the disgrace."
Things got worse in 1983. Not in the World Cup but a few weeks
Things got worse in 1983. Not in the World Cup but a few weeks
before the World Cup.
Before the quadrennial tournament in England, India was touring the West Indies where they faced a more mature and an even more dangerous Malcolm Marshall at the peak of his prowess. Marshall took 21 wickets in the 5 Tests but there was one that he
Before the quadrennial tournament in England, India was touring the West Indies where they faced a more mature and an even more dangerous Malcolm Marshall at the peak of his prowess. Marshall took 21 wickets in the 5 Tests but there was one that he
particularly enjoyed. That was of Vengsarkar in the final Test at Antigua.
Already not fond of the Indian batsman, Marshall was further incensed by something that Vengsarkar did in that innings. He wrote, "Standing at the non-striker's end while I was bowling, I heard him +
Already not fond of the Indian batsman, Marshall was further incensed by something that Vengsarkar did in that innings. He wrote, "Standing at the non-striker's end while I was bowling, I heard him +
repeatedly telling the umpire while I was in earshot that I was over-stepping the crease and bowling no-balls.
If that was designed to upset and irritate me, then he certainly succeeded. I was furious and absolutely beside myself with anger as the memories of his performance +
If that was designed to upset and irritate me, then he certainly succeeded. I was furious and absolutely beside myself with anger as the memories of his performance +
at Bangalore flooded back. I have never felt like this about an opponent, either before or since, but I will admit now that I not only wanted to get him out, I didn't mind if I decapitated him in the process. I came in quicker than ever as he faced up to me, just 22 yards away, +
and I showered him with a hail of bouncers."
A plucky customer himself, Vengsarkar didn't let a blow to the helmet deter him and hit Marshall for 3 boundaries in an over to approach closer to a century.
Marshall too upped the ante. He wrote, "This was war. He was in the 90s +
A plucky customer himself, Vengsarkar didn't let a blow to the helmet deter him and hit Marshall for 3 boundaries in an over to approach closer to a century.
Marshall too upped the ante. He wrote, "This was war. He was in the 90s +
now and within tantalising distance of his ton. Surely nothing could stop him, not even me bowling with fire in my belly. Once more I tore in and gave him yet another short-pitched delivery. On 94 there was no need for him to take any more risks, but Vengsarkar was rattled. +
I sensed my chance. He went for the hook, top edged it and to my lasting delight, Davis held the catch on the long leg boundary. Another couple of yards and it would have been six runs - and his hundred.
I have never been more elated at a wicket nor so relieved at a dismissal."
I have never been more elated at a wicket nor so relieved at a dismissal."
When the teams met in England for the World Cup, Vengsarkar wasn't in the Indian XI for the first match against West Indies which they won. But their 2nd fixture put him once again in front of Marshall.
And then this happened. There was no third meeting between the two in the+
And then this happened. There was no third meeting between the two in the+
World Cup as Vengsarkar could play no further part in India's campaign. However, things didn't end too well for Marshall too who, confident of his team's chances in the final, he ordered a BMW thinking that he could pay for it from the team's winnings. But, as we know now, a +
Miracle transpired at Lord's on 25th June 1983. India won the Prudential World Cup to deny West Indies a hat-trick of World Cup wins. :}
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