Written for MyDC quarterly magazine 'Anukruti'
Can you guess the first Non-Indian cricket coach, we Indians had?
Did I hear John Wright?
I’m afraid, that’s a wrong answer, fellas.
Long before John Wright took command of the Indian cricket team, there was another Indian team which got the services of a foreign coach. The team not only went on to win the match but rewrote the history books. It paved the way for the expansion of cricket roots and culture across India.
It was the hot summer of 1893 when Elizabeth Russel became the first foreign cricket coach of a team from India. She transformed the common villagers into ruthless performers. Before she took charge of the team, the players didn’t even know the C in ‘Cricket’; leave other letters in the word.
Champaner was like any other ordinary village in the hinterland during the British raj. It all started with Bhuvan’s tryst with destiny. Bhuvan was a born cricketer par excellence. He was Sachin, Kapil, Dhoni all rolled into one. As all heroes in history, he too didn’t know his talent. It was only when he hit the Miandad-style six of the last ball, to shatter the pride of Captain Russel and win the championship; he came to know that he was the superstar Indian cricket so desperately desired. 108 years after that historical match, Indian cricket captain Dhoni gave his fine tribute by hitting the six to win the 2011 World Cup.
Elizabeth Russel was an avid cricket lover. She was visiting his tyrannical brother posted in Central Province when she came to know about the championship. She offered her coaching services to the villagers who had never played cricket in their life.
A complete professional, Elizabeth started the rigorous routine with explaining the rules of the game and then organizing the batting, bowling and fielding drills. She also gave all the technical mumbo jumbo tips to every player. The cool and composed demeanor also helped her to earn the respect of all players. A huge hype was built over the match and people from different parts of country started to pour in to see the preparation. Shunning the limelight, she went ahead with her work calmly. Using revolutionary and modern coaching methods of those times, she trained the team for 3 months. Players were marked for their individual strength and she worked on their weak areas and technical aspects. New bats and balls were made under her supervision. She gave the free rein to the players and asked everyone to play their natural game. The Dil-scoop shot which is attributed to Tilakratne Dilshan was in fact invented by Guran, one of the team members of CCC (Champaner Cricket Club). Kachra was taught the loop, drift and dip in spin bowling.
A strong character and a model of integrity, she instilled the spirit of the game into her players. She informed the Anti-Corruption unit at once when she found that one of her players, Lakha, tried to fix the game. A trial ensued and Lakha pleaded guilty. He apologized to everyone. Being first time offender, he was pardoned. Eventually, he played a pivotal performance in lifting the team’s game.
She had to return to England shortly after her team won the championship but her contribution towards Indian cricket will always be remembered.
An epic movie ‘Lagaan’ was made on her epic achievement by noted period filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, which was later nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film category.
Disclaimer: Most twisted facts in this article are a figment of the author's imagination (but you already knew that , didn't you?)
