Mumbai needs to regain lost pride
Mumbai was once the undisputed powerhouse of Indian domestic cricket
Tariq Engineer
25-Feb-2013
Mumbai was once the undisputed powerhouse of Indian domestic cricket. Wining the Ranji Trophy was their right and anything less was a failure. Lately, however, Mumbai has made a habit of losing to some of the lesser lights. In the Times of India, Makarand Waingankar wonders what ails Mumbai cricket.
People talk of the khadoos attitude of Mumbai players; but it must be told, they were ruthless not only with the opposition but also their own players.
In the 1976 match against Bengal at the Eden Gardens, a ball from leggie Rakesh Tandon ricocheted off the stumps and smashed into the face of wicketkeeper Sharad Hazare. He spit blood but didn't take shelter in the comforts of the dressing room because the team needed him. For the next three days, he was on a liquid diet and that too had to be taken through a straw.
Tariq Engineer is a former senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo