Odisha is a treasure house of talent and it is now on the world map owing to lots of things and development happening here, said Madan Lal at the Ekalabya Puraskar award ceremony in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
The member of the Indian cricket team that won the 1983 World Cup asserted that two of the good players the country had in cricket from Odisha are Debashish Mohanty and Shiv Sunder Das.
Not many know that Madan Lal was the selector who had picked both Debashish Mohanty and Shiv Sunder Das.
“When I was a selector, I had picked Debasish Mohanty and SS Das. When Debashish became a selector, I was the chairman. Both players were superb,” said Madan Lal.
According to Madan Lal, Debashish Mohanty was a good bowler with a good out-swinger. Shiv Sundar Das was very good and a fantastic batsman and was technically sound.
Recalling a moment, Madal Lal informed that he had literally fought for Debashish Mohanty for one hour for his selection in the 1999 World Cup squad.
“Something was going on and I had categorically stated that it was Debashish Mohanty, who would be going for the World Cup. I had fought for him for an hour. Not that Debashish Mohanty was some good friend or something else. We needed him (Debashish) in England because of his bowling action and outswing. He was the best candidate for the World Cup. Sometimes you have to be there and things happen for you,” said Madan Lal while adding that everybody should ensure that there is no compromise with the talent.
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