“I wish I could go the same way Vijay Mehra went out of this world, without posing any problem for anyone,” said Bishan Singh Bedi in Bangalore this afternoon, on learning of the former India Test opener’s death after a heart attack in Delhi this morning. Mehra was 68.
“I am on a day’s visit to Bangalore and learnt with shock the news of Mehra’s death. In fact, both of us, who often discuss Delhi and Indian cricket on phone almost every morning, were scheduled to have dinner together on Saturday,” the legendary left-arm spinner said.
As most cricketers who had interacted with Mehra closely, either as a player, administrator or commentator said in their tributes, he was a gentleman cricketer who had vast knowledge of the game and was ever ready to share it with youngsters.
“He was my senior in college (Hindu College in Amritsar) and even had the same coach in Gyan Prakash,” Bedi recalled. Both Bedi and Mehra moved to Delhi and played together for the state. “He was ahead of his time and had a fine sense of humour, so much lacking in present-day cricketers. But he never allowed anyone to take him for a ride. He was so knowledgeable about the game. Above all, he was a wonderful person to speak to,” Bedi recalled.
“He was one of the most non-controversial figures in North Zone cricket,” Bedi said.
Mehra, who retired as manager of State Bank of India at Delhi (Yashpal Sharma served under him), played in eight Tests between 1955 and 1964, and was national selector later. It was during his tenure as selector that Kapil Dev made his debut in Test cricket. During the numerous discussions, this writer had with Mehra in the last three decades, he always used to speak highly about the dedication and discipline of past cricketers. “They never chased money and felt proud to play for their states and country. The game has changed. And so have the minds of the cricketers,” he said.
When son Ajay made his cricketing debut for Delhi under-16 team (under Ajay’s captaincy, the team won the All-India title), the senior Mehra took active interest in his son’s career and would ring up newspaper offices to enquire about his son’s performances. “There’s too much of politics here in Delhi. I don’t want my son to lose enthusiasm in the game,” was his answer when Ajay represented Punjab in Ranji Trophy.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth, with whom Mehra shared the TV commentators’ box during the recent home series against England, said: “He had vast knowledge of the game and was nice to talk to. He was the national selector once during my playing days. I feel sad for the loss.”
Vinay Lamba, the former Delhi opening batsman recalled how Mehra “always tried to bind all youngsters in the Delhi team. He was the Delhi team skipper when I first played Ranji Trophy and was always willing to share his experiences with youngsters. North Zone cricket will surely miss his services and advice. Even during the 1960s, Mehra paid a lot of attention to physical fitness. He was a fitness freak. And when we formed the players association in the Capital, he gave a lot of suggestions. His death is a loss for cricketers,” Lamba said.
As a person, Vijay Mehra was very soft-spoken and friendly. When he started his own coaching academy at Laxman Public School, he invited this writer to the nets to watch some talented youngsters. “There is no dearth of talent here. It is how we nurture them and guide them that make them disciplined players,” he said.
Mehra, who played most of his cricket in Punjab, never missed a match at Mohali. “The PCA and Mr I S Bindra always remember to send me a couple of complimentary passes to witness the matches. Why don’t you come along with me this time?’’ he used to ask. In fact, he was in the West Indies recently as AIR’s expert commentator for the India tour.
Mehra often used to speak about courage in cricket. “If you don’t have the jigar (heart), you can not play at the highest level for long,” he used to comment. He should know, for he is still remembered for his courageous knock of ‘62 that he scored against England at Calcutta despite a fracture in his right thumb. “Playing for the country and team was utmost on my mind then,’’ he had said.
Although not active with the game now, Mehra always took keen interest in the domestic matches and would often ring this writer to get the scores of different teams and players. Those phones will no longer ring, I have lost a close guide and admirer.