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| Mohinder Amarnath |
Calcutta: Actually, Mohinder ‘Jimmy’ Amarnath holds two records, not just the unofficial one for having made umpteen comebacks. The other, well-documented, is: Being the Indian cricketer with the longest international (Tests and ODIs) career.
On Saturday, the day Sachin Tendulkar got out of the teens as an International, Mohinder spoke to The Telegraph.
The following are excerpts
On being the Indian cricketer with the longest international career (a shade under 20 years)
(Laughs) I knew I had a long career, but didn’t realise it was that long! Feels nice to be at the top, but records are meant to be broken and, so, some- body will surely break the one held by me.
Secret of his longevity
Don’t know whether there was a secret or not, all I wanted to do was represent the country... I’d be in and out of the team and wouldn’t take it lying down when I got dropped... I’d work even harder and make a comeback, driven by the belief that I was good enough to play for India... I’d try and prove people wrong.
Late father Lala holding the India record for the longest Test career (exactly 19 years)
Is it? I wasn’t aware... Again, somebody will break that record.
[Unless he’s not available, which is highly unlikely, Sachin will overtake the Senior Amarnath on Day I of next month’s Motera Test against England.]
Sachin completing 19 years as an India cricketer
He’s such a great player... We’ve been honoured to see him play... Watching Sachin bat gives so much pleasure.
What sets Sachin apart from the rest
His passion, which hasn’t been diluted even 19 years after his first appearance for the country... He’s been among the runs and, when you’re scoring, the enjoyment is that much more... Sachin has remained focused all these years and that has allowed him to come back stronger even when he has had injuries... He’s achieved everything, I guess.
His first interaction with Sachin
He was 14-15 when I interviewed him for a TV show and, when I asked who would he eventually like to be, he didn’t say Sunil Gavaskar or Viv Richards (his heroes), but ‘Sachin Tendulkar’... Wouldn’t say I was shocked, but definitely amazed. I mean, what confidence for a schoolboy.
Message for Sachin
(Laughs) It’s not for me to give a message... Just keep carrying on... Keep fit... Obviously, he has my good wishes.
Finally, whether Sachin should make himself available till the 2011 World Cup
If he’s fit, why not? He certainly has some years left in him... The bottom line is that Sachin, who is 35, has to manage his fitness... That’s all... There’ll be nothing like it if he can do that.
LONG PLAYING RECORDS
International Top 10
Player From-To Span Tests
W. Rhodes (Eng) June 1, 1899 to April 12, 1930 30y 315d 58
D.B. Close (Eng) July 23, 1949 to July 13, 1976 26y 356d 22
F.E. Woolley (Eng) Aug. 9, 1909 to Aug. 22, 1934 25y 13d 64
G.A. Headley (WI) Jan. 11, 1930 to Jan. 21, 1954 24y 10d 22
A.J. Traicos (SA/Zim) Feb. 5, 1970 to March 17, 1993 23y 40d 7
J.B. Hobbs (Eng) Jan. 1, 1908 to Aug. 22, 1930 22y 233d 61
G. Gunn (Eng) Dec. 13, 1907 to Apr. 12, 1930 22y 120d 15
S.E. Gregory (Aus) July 21, 1890 to Aug. 22, 1912 22y 32d 58
F.R. Brown (Eng) July 29, 1931 to June 30, 1953 21y 336d 22
A.W. Nourse (SA) Oct. 11, 1902 to Aug. 19, 1924 21y 313d 45
Indian Top 5
Player From-To Span Tests&ODIs
M. Amarnath Dec. 24, 1969 to Oct. 30, 1989 19y 310d 154
L. Amarnath Dec. 15, 1933 to Dec. 15, 1952 19y 24
S. Tendulkar Nov. 15, 1989 to Nov. 10, 2008 18y 361d 572
S. Venkataraghavan Feb. 27, 1965 to Sept. 29, 1983 18y 214d 72
A. Kumble April 25, 1990 to Nov. 2, 2008 18y 191d 403
Footnote — 1. Sachin, of course, is still available for India. 2. Days calculated from opening day of debut Test till the final one of the last.
COMPILED BY MOHANDAS MENON | 
