He turned 66 earlier this year, in March. But getting on the other side of the sixties has not tempered his swag. As fit as a fiddle, with a sense of humour that matches his charm, Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, or Sir Viv Richards, is still raring to go. A mentor, a columnist, and an occasional commentator — there’s a lot more to the legendary cricketer. But most importantly, Sir Viv is a proud Antiguan. As a gesture of giving back to his motherland, the cricketer has taken on the role of a brand ambassador of the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, run by Manipal Education and Medical Group. “The fact that it is in Antigua prompted me to do this. I love my country dearly and I will do my best to communicate that Antigua is safe for children and travellers,” he says.
Palate encounters
Talking about his younger days and his first brush with Indians, the cricketer shares an interesting back-story. As a young man, Viv had become friends with some Indian doctors, most of who were from Hyderabad and were working in Antigua. When Viv travelled to India to play for the first time, the doctors informed their families. “We went for dinner to their homes and that’s when I started enjoying Indian cooking. After having lived in England for some time, where the food was all very bland, I liked it here. We associate ourselves with India, because in the Caribbean, we use spices like they do here — we have a partnership in this as well,” he says with an infectious laugh.
Even as he talks about his days on the field, when cricket was quite different, Viv says that Indian cricket per se has evolved from what it was in the 1970s. “Indian cricket has taken a huge step in my opinion. At the time when I played against India, it wasn’t that confident. But I guess one would learn their own lessons. I think the ’70s Indian team had one foot in and one foot out. Now, I think, the team has got its complete body in the game. This is why I think India is in the best position with the best players. I guess, the Indian fans have given them the confidence too. There are no better fans in my opinion, in terms of the multitude that supports Indian cricket,” he says.
Kapil, the giant
A significant thing evident from the conversation with Sir Viv is the fact that he is thoroughly impressed with many Indian cricketers. One person he still admires is someone who took the World Cup away from him in 1983. But like a true sportsman, Sir Viv reminiscences that crucial catch — by the Indian legend Kapil Dev — from that World Cup final.
“Everywhere I go, I have been asked about that catch, because it was a brilliant catch. I have been a great fan of Kapil. He was the first individual in my opinion who started to let India believe that they were good enough to win. I have always felt that. Everyone now looks at Dhoni and see Dhoni as a finished product, but I have always believed that there was a path played before by Kapil. He was a giant and I still believe that he was the most competitive individual that I have ever encountered.”
Ask him what he thinks is good or bad for young cricketers today, and he explains that with the T20 games, it wouldn’t be feasible for a cricketer like him to coach players, because of paucity of time. “We haven’t got enough time to implement the stuff we want to see on the field. Though, more than anything else, these guys are professionals and I prefer mentoring, where you get into the individual’s head, to make sure that when he gets out there, he is in the best frame of mind to accomplish what he’d like to,” says Viv.
Next big challenge
It’s this honest, upfront and unabashed demeanour that has always been King Viv’s trademark. His lightning reflexes, hawk-eyed reactions to the game on field, and his inimitable style are celebrated even today. Is there anyone he thinks is like him on the field? Pat comes the reply, “There’s a guy today I see who is quite similar to how I was back on the field. That is Virat Kohli, and that’s why I am his fan. He is one of those feisty players and when you’re competing, you need individuals like that.”
Even as he heaps praise on Virat, in the same breath, Sir Viv doesn’t forget to mention MS Dhoni. In fact, in a recent newspaper column, Sir Viv was extremely generous, acknowledging how Dhoni has on most occasions led his team to victory, and even the Chennai Super Kings (leading up to the IPL 2018 finals). “Dhoni, to me, is like a good poker player. You know he doesn’t show his cards and sometimes, at the end of it, you know he is bluffing, but then he wins, because he is such a cool captain. This is why I enjoy watching him, and his leadership as well. That’s why you have the team doing that well. When you have a captain as cool as that, it sends a message to the team that everything is okay.”
Going back to Virat, Viv says, the upcoming India’s tour of England will be a challenge for the Indian captain. The team had not done too well against England in England. “I would really back him on doing well in England, because he is a very determined individual. That’s the only cricketing nation he hasn’t got a grip on, away from home. That’s a challenge for him and his team,” he points out.
Daddy cool
There’s also the other essential connection that Sir Viv has with India — his daughter, Masaba Gupta, the young fashion designer who is among the most popular designers in the country. When he turned 66, Masaba along with her mother Neena Gupta flew to Dubai where Sir Viv was, and they celebrated his birthday.
Expectedly, her post on Instagram from the celebrations went viral. “She is good at that (updating social media)… I think this is the modern day thing. I am not that fast when it comes to that kind of stuff. I just get to know whenever she posts,” says Sir Viv, adding, “I am very proud of her, I am seriously proud of her.”
The doting father that he is, Sir Viv also shares the story behind how Masaba’s designs are inspired from the Masai tribal culture. “I asked her what inspired her colours, and she said, the trip to Kenya,” recollects the father. He adds that Masaba was a little less than 10 years when she first saw the Masai tribe in Mombasa. She also got her hair braided at the time. “There were a lot of yellows and bright reds that she saw. I think that is what inspired her at that time, and that’s what we are seeing in her clothes now. The colours she picks are vibrant, and she brings those to life and that’s what Vivian is all about,” he signs off with a hearty laugh.
ayeshatabassum@newindianexpress.com
@aishatax