I understand players’ needs better: Niranjan Shah

Niranjan Shah, the newly elected vice-president of the BCCI, tells DNA that he keeps prejudices out while dealing with the cricketers. Excerpts from the interview:

Congrats on becoming V-P of BCCI. You are now the longest serving national cricket administrator from Gujarat...

Yes, I have already completed 37 years in cricket administration, for Saurashtra Cricket Association and the BCCI. I am very thankful to my all members in SCA for their unconditional support during this wonderful journey.

You are one of the oldest serving members of BCCI. It all began with your association with former BCCI president, late Madhavrao Scindia 1990-91 to 1992-93. How has the journey been?

I started my journey with the BCCI in 1972. Even today I continue with the one of the biggest organizations. It is because of the faith shown by my friends in the board. I joined the Board in 1972. I got the big break under the leadership of late Madhavrao Scindia in 1991. I was appointed joint secretary, for one year. Scindia was very impressed by my work. It was very important for me to win his appreciation.

My next chance came when our whole group failed. I was elected secretary in 2001-02, when Jagmohan Dalmiya became the BCCI president. He too was satisfied with my work. However, I completed my full term as secretary when Sharad Pawar became the president in 2005. This post I held till 2008. It has been a very exciting journey, which continues, as I am now a vice-president from West Zone.

Which has been your most satisfying moment -- making a first class debut or taking charge as BCCI secretary?

I started my career at Dharmendra College when I was pursuing B.Sc. In fact, I led Saurashtra University, too. But when you talk about the most satisfying moment of my cricket career, it has to be my first outing for Saurashtra Ranji team in 1965-66. I always cherish it as my most important moment.

At home, you are the unchallenged secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association for more than three and a half decades...

For that I am very grateful to my fellow members. I hope I have fulfilled their expectation by bringing SCA to these heights. I have always striven to take cricket to the next level by giving good facilities and producing international level cricketers. The journey has been slow by my expectations. However, last six years have been very exciting, when SCA has made rapid progress.

Your decision on getting Debu Mitra from Bengal has paid off. Saurashtra has started producing international players like Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara…

The decision to bring Debu Mitra was influenced by Dilip Doshi (Saurashtra-born former international spinner) who had played with him in Bengal. Doshi suggested his name. Mitra's coaching manual is simple and always gives emphasis on the basics. The boys have tremendous respect for him. And Mitra knows how to get the best out of them. Jadeja and Pujara have already made it to the Indian team and Jaydev Unadkat is waiting of his chance.

Jaydev, your son, has also shown leadership skills, especially during Hazare Trophy victory…

No doubt about that. Jaydev has matured as a player and leader, in particular. Under his leadership, Saurashtra, without any star player, has successfully held its position in the Elite Group for the past five years. Jaydev will complete 50 Ranji Trophy matches as captain of Saurashtra, which is an achievement. Of course, his biggest achievement was the Vijay Hazare Trophy victory which put Saurashtra on India's cricket map again. Our selection committee also has not changed since our team moved into the Elite Group five years ago. They all have great respect for Jaydev.

You have always enjoyed a good rapport with players.

I understand my players much better because I have played cricket. My association officials have been with me since 1985-86, which has taken me close to the players. My nature and the way of working with them might have given them friendly comfort. So they trust me. Moreover, I keep out prejudice and always supported talent. I hope my colleagues in the selection committee will agree with this.

You were part of the touring team/officials at India's famous victory Down Under in the 1985 series…

It was my first assignment as a team official. I got an opportunity to extend my friendship with legends like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Syed Kirmani, Dilip Vengsarkar and young Azharuddin among others. I was also privileged to manage present day greats like Sachin, Sehwag, Dhoni when we toured New Zealand in 2009.

Finally, how different it was from being an IPL administrator and BCCI official…

As a BCCI official you have to look at Indian cricket as a whole but in the IPL it was different. It has become a great, entertaining tournament. And for that, I was constantly on the move. I always enjoyed being secretary of the BCCI where I could contribute maximum to make any improvements in cricket administration.