by Arunabha Sengupta
Between them they captured 311 wickets.
In 22 Tests, they turned out together for India, often bowling in tandem.
One slow-left arm, the other leg-break googlies. 169 scalps in those 22 matches. Gupte 99, Mankad 70.
With Ghulam Ahmed the offie they formed the first spin-triumvirate in Indian cricket. A seldom bettered one.
There were those great days.
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At the Brabourne Stadium against Pakistan, Vinoo Mankad captures 3 for 52 and 5 for 72, Subhash Gupte 2 for 42 and 3 for 77. And then Mankad goes out to open and hammers 35 of the 45 runs required to win.
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Three years later, the same venue. New Zealand led by Harry Cave at the receiving end this time. Gupte 3 for 83 and 5 for 45. Mankad 1 for 29 and 3 for 57. India victors by an innings. Great opportunity for the press. “New Zealand Cave In” … There has been a chapter before the bowling deeds though. Before the Kiwis took strike, Mankad batted almost eight hours to amass 223.
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Fifth Test of the same series. Madras. Mankad and Pankaj Roy put on a world record 413. Another double hundred for the great all-rounder, this time amounting to 231. New Zealand cannot beat his score in either innings. Gupte 5 for 72 in the first essay, Mankad perhaps still tired from his long stint with the bat, keeps things tight at the other end with 19 miserly overs. In the second innings it is back to the double act. Gupte 4 for 73, Mankad 4 for 65.
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And now it is 1978.
Padma Bhushan Vinoo Mankad is sick. Very sick. He cannot speak, can barely communicate.
A galaxy of Indian cricketers, past and present, visit him, knowing that the Great Umpire is about to call time on the noble innings of his life.
One of the visitors is his old spin-twin.
But is Vinoo conscious? Can he see? Can he recognise his comrade in arms?
Subhash asks gently. “Do you know who I am?”
Vinoo cannot speak. In response he raises his right hand. The non-existent ball is clutched in the grip of a leg-spinner. Subhash smiles.
He knows. He will always know.
Tied together in the magical web they used to spin.