Of Balaji and his effervescent smile
AT A TIME when most of the current generation from India and Pakistan have not played against each other, it might look strange that six of Lakshmipathy Balaji’s eight Tests came against the arch-rivals.
The former India seamer, who played in the Qatar Cricket Fiesta, still has the effervescent smile which made him a big hit across the border when India toured Pakistan in 2004.
The 35-year-old had a career blighted by injuries, yet he had his moments in the sun, like the 2004 Rawalpindi Test in which he had a match-winning seven-wicket haul. He took 12 wickets in that historic series which India won 2-1.
He won many hearts off the field as well, thanks to his endearing smile, which made him an instant hit.
“That tour made me a star, literally!” Balaji recalled.
The reasons were obvious. India were touring Pakistan for a Test series for the first time in 15 years and Balaji became the goodwill ambassador of the ‘Friendship Tour’.
“Wherever I went, I could hear the chants of ‘Balaji! Balaji! There were many senior players on both sides. Yet, it was me who was getting all the adulation. As the tour went on ‘the legend of Balaji grew’ and I won many hearts,” added Balaji.
