Tarak Sinha: The unsung hero

Sinha has grown out of that period of personal gloom, for he has experienced a greater heartbreak before. It was 10 years ago when Raman Lamba, who he mentored for more than 25 years, was killed after being struck a severe blow on his head by a cricket ball while playing in Bangladesh.

"It took a lot of time to come to terms with the fact that it happened on the cricket field, and more to realise that he was no more," he recalls.

He may have come to terms with it, but just as his protégés returned his deeds by reaching highs, he remains obliged and humbled by their perseverance.

"Raman Lamba belonged to a very modest background. So have been many of my students. This is what made them remain grounded."

Life may not have changed for Sinha, but he has seen a dramatic new world shape in front of his eyes in these 39 years. "The lifestyle has changed so much. The habit of having things easy has consumed their commitment.

"Make no mistake; I'm all for modern coaching methods and try to keep abreast with all the new coaching techniques. But there is no substitute for the sweat and toil," he reckons.

The ways of the cricketing world have also brought with it a revolution, that being Twenty20 cricket. And for coaches like Sinha, it spells doom for the future of upcoming cricketers.

"Twenty20 has no role for coaches. In fact, even skill has no role in this format of the game. You rule by brute strength, and it will have an effect even on the grassroots level.

"I stand by my principles of desire, discipline and dedication. With the coming of this age, you won't see aspiring cricketers breaking sweat. People like Lamba, Manoj Prabhakar, Aakash Chopra came up without being exceptionally talented. Prabhakar ruled swing bowling in his time," he reasons.

Sinha's voice is one of many such who have nurtured the game with utmost dignity. He takes pride in his contribution, in his pupils who have only reiterated his importance to Delhi cricket.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill was no cricketer, but the quiet demeanor Tarak 'Sir' assures Sonnet Club of embodies this very mantra — to live by the 3D principle. The future has to respond by playing in the V.

Previous articles:

Gurcharan Singh: great master with adaptability

Dinesh Lad: The burnisher behind the scenes

Manabendra Ghosh: From coach to mentor

Achrekar 'Sir': Champion maker at dusk

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