Mumbai-based former Rajasthan pacer Pradeep Sunderam, 65, who holds the record of taking all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings, is mighty pleased to see Haryana fast bowler , 24, who also holds a similar record, getting his India Test cap at the peak of his career.
Kamboj, who has taken 79 scalps in 24 first-class matches, made his Test debut at Old Trafford on Wednesday. “He [Kamboj] has been rightly given the chance now. When somebody has taken all 10 wickets in the innings of a first-class game, he’s in good form and high on confidence. This is the time that will encourage him to do better. If you give him an opportunity late, by that time his wicket-taking ability may be affected and he may not be in the right frame of mind too. So, I’m very happy that he has got a Test cap,” Sunderam told mid-day on Wednesday.
Sunderam, Kamboj, and Premangshu Chatterjee are the only three cricketers to hold this all-10-wickets-in-a-Ranji-innings record. Bengal pacer Premangshu Chatterjee took 10-20 against Assam in 1956-57, while Sunderam picked up 10-78 against Vidarbha in 1985 and Kamboj took 10-49 vs Kerala last season.
Sunderam felt Kamboj is fortunate to not have suffered the fate that he did, when it came to making his Test debut back in 1986.
Pradeep Sunderam
Sunderam, currently Academy coach, recalled how he missed the opportunity to represent India in Tests despite being at the Headingley ground in Leeds during India versus England Test in June 1986. “When somebody is performing, the opportunity has to be given. For me, that opportunity came when I was in England and was the first standby [of the Kapil Dev-led] Indian team during the 1986 England tour. Before the Leeds Test, somebody said ‘Pradeep Sunderam is not traceable’. But I was very much in England since April, playing in Surrey,” Sunderam said, revealing that eventually Madan Lal, came into the playing XI at Leeds.
“Madan Lal was not a standby, but he happened to be in and met Kapil for dinner. Kapil asked him, ‘Will you play this Test match as Sunderam is not traceable?’ Madal Lal said yes and played that Leeds Test,” explained Sunderam, who, interestingly, watched that match at the stadium with some friends.
“There was an announcement in the stadium about the playing XI and it was said that ‘Madan Lal is playing in place of Pradeep Sunderam, who is not traceable’. That’s when I got to know and was taken aback. My friends were shocked too. I was so near yet so far. That’s why I’m saying it’s great that Kamboj has got the opportunity at the right time. I wish him all the best,” remarked Sunderam, who picked an impressive 286 wickets in 40 first-class matches.