New Delhi, Feb 25: Vasudevan Baskaran has fond memories of his only trip to Pakistan in 1978. He was the star of the VJ Phillips-led hockey team that went on a epoch-making tour of Pakistan -- the first visit across the border by a sports team, after the cricket series in 1952. The cricket boards of the two countries were also planning the revival of the Test series at the same time.Twenty years later, the Indian coach is one of the three members in the Pakistan-bound Indian contingent, who have had the opportunity to play in Pakistan. The other two are manager MM Somaya, who captained the side in the last series in 1988, and captain Dhanraj Pillay, who was part of the 1990 World Cup in Lahore.
Pakistan had a very strong side in '78, with forwards Islahuddin, Hasan Sardar and Manzoor Junior in the ranks. The Indians lost 1-3, but Baskaran was declared `man of the series' for scoring three goals and blocking 12 penalty corners.
``I cannot forget that series. It was a great feeling to beat the home teamin Lahore in front of President Zia-ul-Haq. Even in the return leg, there were 60,000 spectators in the jam-packed stadium in Bangalore,'' Baskaran said.
Somaya, who was in Pakistan in 1990 besides the 1988 series, said that ``1990 was a bad experience, but all that is in the past. Even if there is a hostile crowd, the boys have to be ready to fight it out.''
Pillay also said that he would like to ``forget the memories of 1990'. ``We played poorly, and were at the receiving end of the crowd. But that is understandable, as the Kashmir issue was very hot then.
``But it is different this time. Several Pakistani teams have visited our country in the past three years SAF Games, Champions Trophy and other tournament. The relations are very good at the moment, and we are all charged up to face the challenge,'' the captain said.
A confident Indian team finished their final preparations for the eight-Test series. Putting up a sterling display, the Indian team beat CRPF 4-0 in their final practice match at theNational Stadium ahead of their departure tomorrow for the first Test to be held at Peshawar on February 28.
``We are raring to go all out. Because playing Pakistan in Pakistan is something different,'' echoed pillay and Somaya.
``All the boys are fit and I expect good show,'' said Baskaran looking ahead to the series.
Somaya sounded optimistic and did not feel the return of veteran forward Shahbaz Ahmed (Sr) would pose a major threat.
``The return of Shahbaz will not pose any danger as we do not think the veteran will be the same force he was earlier,'' he said.
Pillay said, ``I love playing in Pakistan and I always put in 100 per cent playing against them.''
Pillay expressed doubts about the team's strength in penalty corner conversion but said: ``We hope to win three out of four Tests there."
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
