Arun Lal: The multi-dimensional stalwart from Bengal

Arun Lal runs the Bournvita Cricket Academy in Kolkata

‘Craack’, the crisp sound of the ball hitting the bat reverberates across the field as the winter morning sun peeps through the clouds. “You moved too quickly across son, don’t lean so much forward,” Arun Lal smilingly advises the 13-year old before slightly patting the child’s back and moving on to many other eager kids practicing in earnest at the Bournvita Cricket Academy in Kolkata.

Former Indian cricketer Lal was widely regarded as a very hard-working cricketer and the person who took Bengal cricket to new heights.

These days however, Lal is more renowned as the ‘analytic commentator’ and a sharp student of the game. Be it writing columns in various English dailies and news portals, or giving his acute views on varied facets of cricket in his commentary ‘avatar’, Arun Lal has quietly established himself as one of the ‘wise men’ of the game in the country.

With his father, uncle, and cousin all having been top performers in the Ranji Trophy, Lal’s cricketing lineage was immaculate. During his playing days for the state of Bengal and the East Zone side, Lal had won many Man of the Match and Series trophies. Originally from Delhi, Lal shifted base to Kolkata in the late 70′s and never looked back as he considered Kolkata his new home. He played a perennial role as an integral performer of the side in bringing Bengal its first Ranji Trophy after 51 years in 1989. A prolific performer in domestic cricket, he aggregated an impressive 6,760 runs at an average of 53.23 per innings.

Lal also played 16 Tests for India from 1982 to 1989 scoring 729 runs at an average of 26 with a highest score of 93. In his debut innings against Sri Lanka at Chennai, he scored a well-composed 63.

“I wasn’t expecting the call-up and hadn’t held a bat before that match for about four months. I was extremely nervous before taking the field, but somehow I managed and enjoyed the challenge,” said Lal about the game, smiling.

Although he didn’t set the international cricket scene on fire he did make a loyal fan base in Bengal with his contribution towards it. Joint Secretary of CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) Biswarup Dey is all praise for him, “Arun Lal is one of the leading role models of Bengal. His role in reviving Bengal cricket is unmatched… As a person too he is a very dynamic and charismatic character and the unique thing about him is that he is always positive.”

Currently however, Lal is completely devoted to his academy. His Bournvita Cricket Academy is home to hundreds of passionate kids who have the zeal to learn cricket.

“The idea is not just to make cricketers who will represent Bengal or India. The idea is to provide an education through sports, to everyone. We don’t reject anyone. Who are we to decide who is good and who is not? Whoever is willing to learn the sport is most welcome,” he says.

Arun Lal believes that being analytic, studious, impromptu, instinctive and fresh are the keys to success

However, it is the commentary part which really sets Arun Lal apart. Over the years he has established himself as a respected cricket commentator throughout the cricketing world. It was back in 1996 that this part of Lal’s career commenced. He got an offer from TWI (Trans World International), a production company, for doing English commentary on India’s tour to England that year. However ESPN, the broadcaster, was also doing a separate Hindi commentary segment for which they approached Lal, to which he agreed.

“I could have toured England and done the on-field commentary rather than doing it sitting in a studio in Singapore. But it was a career move actually. I wanted to establish myself in Hindi first as I had a pretty good hold over the language. Moreover there wasn’t much competition in this department and slowly I planned to worm my way into English as well,” he says.

That decision did pay its dividends later on as can be clearly seen now with the amount of fan base Lal has created with his commentary. Arun Lal also gives interesting insights on the commentary part of the game.

“You might be very eloquent and well read, but facing a mike live is not easy. You need to be analytic, studious, impromptu, instinctive and fresh. You need to add something extra. The viewer can see the ball hitting the bat or the move that the captain has made. You need to explain why it is such a brilliant move or why a particular shot is spectacular. Just presenting the scene is no good. Give the viewers something to think about. Add more colour to the scene,” he explains meticulously.

On what makes an ideal commentator, he feels that having played cricket over a period of time does help as one understands the psychological aspect, the heart ache and the joy related to the game.

Apart from all this not many know about the fact that Lal is an ardent animal lover and an environmentalist at heart. His academy incidentally is living proof of that. He has planted a number of palm trees in the academy premises itself and many of those are home to squirrels and a few other animals. These things aside, Lal regularly cures injured birds with the help of his ‘maali’ and other workers in the academy.

“Wildlife is a passion and I do it because I love the animals” says Lal.

There is a lot to be learnt from a person like Arun Lal; be it his discipline, his simplicity or his uncomplicated approach towards life.

“Nothing in my life has been planned or contrived. I never dreamt of playing for India. It just happened. Commentary too happened as a natural progression. Even the plan of setting up this academy happened while having lunch with a friend. We shouldn’t plan too much. Just be spontaneous and enjoy life. I have no complaints from life. I am at ease with the kids and enjoying this phase to the maximum,” says Arun Lal on a serious note before moving on to attend eager kids waiting for his tips.

Former India and Bengal captain Pranab Roy, under whom Arun Lal had played many matches, gives a fitting tribute to the man which probably best summarizes the story of Arun Lal.

“Me and Arun are great friends. The best part about him is his discipline, is an ardent student of the game and that he is so focused; a trait which helped him as a captain and now as a commentator. He took over from Dilip Doshi and took Bengal cricket to new heights. He is well and truly the Ironman of Bengal cricket.” adds Roy.