Cricket
Hyderabad’s Bobjee to ring the bell at India’s 2nd T20 match against Ireland in Belfast
It will be a rare honour for Madireddy Venkat Narasimha Rao, popularly known as Bobjee, when he rings the bell at the India-Ireland second T20 match to be held at Belfast on June 28. “It is a matter of pride and honour that I will ring the bell,” said the former Hyderabad skipper.
The Hyderabad all-rounder had represented India and Ireland in international cricket. The 71-year-old Rao made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in the 1978 series and then played three more Tests (one against the Windies in the 1978 series and two more against the visiting Australians in 1979).
After leading Hyderabad to Ranji Trophy glory in the 1986-87 season, Rao migrated to Ireland in 1989. “It is a long journey. I was fortunate to play for the country. I am also lucky to lead Hyderabad to Ranji Trophy triumph. After coming to Ireland, I could play for my adopted country for a few years from 1995 to 1997. I scored 48 not out of 51 balls in my debut match for Ireland. So, there will be a lot of emotions on June 28 as I played for both the countries,” said Rao from Ireland.
Was a challenge moving to Ireland, says Bobjee
Rao, a reliable middle order batter, a tricky leg spinner and a brilliant close-in fielder, said it was a challenge when he decided to move to Ireland. “I knew I was entering into a new phase of life. At times, it was challenging. But then cricket taught me how to meet these challenges. Although most of the cricketing activity in this part of the world is in summers, I played as a professional. Thanks to my job as General Manager (Recreation Club) at Herdmans Mills in Sion Mills, Ireland, I could prolong my career as a cricketer in Ireland,” recalled the all-rounder.
The Hyderabad skipper took to coaching after he retired from the game in 1997. “I coached many of the players who went on to play for Ireland and England like Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan, Kevin O’ Brien, Neil O’Brien, William Potefield, Paul Sterling, Andre Balbirnie. I was part of the coaching programme from under-17 level. My stint in Hyderabad as coach at St John’s Cricket Foundation helped me to gear up to the challenge. I still remember how a young VVS Laxman was brought by his uncle Baba Krishna Mohan to our camp in East Marredpally. It is history now how Laxman became one of the most celebrated cricketers of the world,” Bobjee said.
As a cricketer, he had carved a niche for himself but Rao also dabbled in many of the community and charity works in his adopted country. “I taught young trainees in schools in Belfast, Dublin and other places. I was able to participate in the charity works and was actively involved in the diversity awareness programmes. I even did charity walks to raise funds for communities. It always gives a pleasure when you recognised for your game and the community work,” he said.
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Rao was awarded an MBE for his services to the community there. He grew in stature and today he is one of the leading figures of Ireland. Bobjee has been married to Josephine. As he gets ready for the June 28th match, Rao said he was looking forward to seeing the young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“He is a phenomenal talent. I have seen him play in the IPL matches. He has the skill-set and temperament to play a higher grade of the game. However, playing for IPL and international cricket is a different ball game. He has to be patient. It is all about the learning curve. He is walking in the footsteps of the great Sachin Tendulkar. But like Sachin, he should remain grounded and humble. He should cut off the outside noise and concentrate on his game. He is precious talent for India and he needs a good mentor,” Bobjee said.
The all-rounder was excited that a fellow Hyderabadi Tilak Varma will be the new vice-captain of the Indian team. “He has the talent. He was in the under-16 and under-19 camps when I was the Director of the Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence. Naturally, I will be eager to meet him also. It is unfortunate that Mohammed Siraj is not in the team. In fact, I have not met him after my stint in the cricket academy,” he said.
Rao said all the tickets in the 7,000-capacity venue are already sold out. “India is one of the powerhouses of world cricket. They have amazing talent and they have been a top team in the world. They are dominating like what West Indies or Australia did in the past. It will be a proud moment when I will watch this match,” he said.
He ended up saying that his book `Bobby: India and Ireland… A Love Story’, was well received in both his born and adopted countries. “It gives that happiness when your book gets appreciated.”