TE Srinivasan , former India batsman fights Brain cancer

[Guest HariSampath]

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/oct/300908-Former-Test-batsman-TE-Srinivasan-is-taking-cancer-by-the-horns.htm Fighter to the TE! By: Clayton Murzello Date: 2008-10-01 HE'S NO QUITTER: Former Test batsman TE Srinivasan makes a point while on a short visit to Mumbai on Friday. THIS is no ordinary story of one man clinging on to dear life in the throes of adversity and asking aloud, 'why me?' It's about celebration of life and triumph of the spirit no matter if the battle against the worst medical enemy of the human race is ultimately won or lost. For more than three years now, former India cricketer T E Srinivasan is battling malignant brain tumour with the kind of courage which matched his attitude when he graced the cricket greens in the 1970s and 1980s. Srinivasan (58 next month), who played a solitary Test for India on the 1980-81 tour of New Zealand, was in Mumbai last week for a few tests and treatment at the Tata Memorial hospital where he is being treated by Dr Rakesh Jalali, Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology and NeuroOncology. Dr Jalali also runs the Brain Tumour Foundation of India, a charity dedicated to the welfare of people with brain tumours and their families. When MiD DAY visited Srinivasan at his sister's home in Churchgate last week, we expected to see a pitiful sight, but to our pleasant surprise, Srinivasan walked into the living room with a smile on his face, dressed in a t'shirt and a track pant all set for his evening walk down Marine Drive. The rock: Mala Srinivasan A few months ago, says his pillar-of-strength wife Mala, he couldn't move or talk normally. So what's been doing the trick? Chemotherapy yes, love and good care certainly, but more than anything else, the grit displayed not only by the cancer-afflicted former batsman, but also Mala. "We don't think negatively at all. We enjoy life, we celebrate living each day. Right from the start, TE said that he was going to fight. We enjoy every minute and don't look beyond," says Mala. His first visit to Tata Memorial made him realise that he was more fortunate than others. They saw patients from babies to grown-ups and teenagers in between battling brain tumour. It brought about a profound sense of realisation. "When I saw those kids, I thought to myself: At least I've lived for more than 50 years," says Srinivasan. The couple wants to start a cancer foundation. They don't have the huge resources to go big, but realise the importance of a beginning and support from all quarters. Srinivasan's second surgery in October 2007 did not materialise into improvement; only their darkest hour. Ever emphasising the need to be positive and look ahead, the recent past is still unforgettable for Mala. "There was a time when he could not utter a word. I don't know if he could even recognise me," she recalls. "Changes in the brain were bang on the area of speech and right leg," says Dr Jalali, adding that his patient has, "clearly done well." since. It would be fair to say that the implementation of 'current medical therapies' alongwith chemotherapy brought about a miraculous change in Srinivasan's condition. But as Dr Jalali stresses, the indomitable spirit of TE and Mala has been critical in his recovery. While most of his treatment is done by Tata Memorial, the Apollo Hospital in Chennai is visited too and a doctor in America where his daughter Shubha is based, is also involved with the case. Srinivasan is fortunate to have a lot of people working towards his well-being including his fans, well wishers and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, who are contributing substantially towards his medical expenses. "Hat's off to Sharad Pawar," Srinivasan says. And, of course, Mala. Lance Armstrong, who battled testicular cancer, is also on that list. Srinivasan has read two of the legendary cyclist's books and is not surprised with the news of his comeback. Shubha's words, 'Dad, you can be like Lance Armstrong,' is not lost on him. Mala says: "When TE was first diagnosed (with brain tumour), I just broke down. But he was pacifying me by saying, 'I am not going to give up. I'm going to fight this.' After some days I realised that if this is his attitude, what am I crying for? He is an inspiration to me. He is an example of how you should lead your life - you don't have to go to a Zen master," says Mala. Srinivasan is a stand-out case just like he was when Mala first saw him waltz away to a century for a Tamil Nadu against Karnataka in a Ranji game in Chennai during the late 1970s. Soon Srinivasan was a recipient of a fan mail from Mala. He responded, they fell in love, tied the knot and now are living up to the line which others find easier said than done... "in sickness and health." ********************** GO TE , what a fantastic batting artist ! :hatsoff:

[Guest HariSampath]

Gavaskar and Sandip Patil had visited TE :

Keep up the fight TE, say Sunny, Sandy SUNIL Gavaskar (TE Srinivasan's captain on the tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1980-81) has visited the cancer-afflicted cricketer and always had encouraging words. 'When Sunil came last, he told me, "don't be silly. You will pull through," informed Srinivasan. Gavaskar told MiD DAY: "I did call on him a few times when he was in Mumbai for treatment. He is a fighter and should continue fighting. His sense of humour is unique so I am sure he will be there with a smile on his face." Sandeep Patil, who shared a room with Srinivasan on the 1980-81 tour Down Under, said he was delighted to learn that his former teammate was making progress and fighting his illness. "TE is a fighter and he must continue doing so. I wish him all the best and a complete recovery."

[SachDan]

Hari, you know him personally ? :winky:

[Guest HariSampath]

slightly...not too well as well as other TN cricketers. But several of my classmates and club mates while in school used to be "recruited" by TE to bowl to him on concrete wickets at 16 yards ! That was the way TE practised. Of course as I knew almost all FC cricketers in the late 1970s and 1980s, I had several interactions with him, but not a personal friend or anything. btw, he was easily the best ever batter who came from TN, who routinely got 100s against visiting teams on tour games and 100s in FC finals etc. He was a touche artiste, all writs and nimble footwork, almost dancing down the pitch literally. I have seen him play some incredible innings.

[anbuchelvan]

Let GOD give him enough strength by all means to come out "not out".

[Rajan]

T.E was always there when ever the TN ranji team faltered while batting. tremendous batsman. he was an inspiration to many chennai youngsters who aspired to represent india.hope he emerges victorious in this battle .

[Guest HariSampath]

For those who know a little bit about Indian cricket in the late 70s and early 80s, the case of TE Srinivasan is absolutely baffling. One of the most stylish stroke players in India, even acknowledeged as much by Vishwanath and Gavaskar, he never got a look in to India until very late , in 80-81 and then was dropped after a solitary test in which he played well, better than most batters. In those days the Ranji trophy , Duleep trophy and Irani trophies were the stepping stones to India selection and TE had been scoring heaps of runs in the seasons between '77 and '80. He got a 100 in Duleep trophy, a 100 in the Deodhar trophy finals . A 100 against the visiting Tony Grieg's team in '77 and then a 100 against Imran's Khan's Pakistan in '79-80 as well !! Still he wasnt selected. Just imagine a modern day cricketer doing all of the above, say a player from Mumai or Delhi...2 successive 100s against visiting teams, and 2 -3 100s in domestic tournament finals and still not even in the consideration. Ppl would have written books about it. But in TE's case no one spoke for him , not even the press. Finally he played in the Irani trophy game in '80 that was a selection to the tour of Aus/NZ, and yet again got a 100 ! So unable to keep him out of the squad, he was taken to Aus where he was given a solitary test and dropped, despite playing better than most batters in very difficult conditions. TE was a case of India losing a classy batter, due to personal prejudices of some Mumbai players who were ruling the roost at that time. Just check Vengsarkar's record in the same period, betwen '77 to '80 , how many tests did he play continuously failing, he was having the patronage of Gavaskar. TE should have played for at least 4-5 years between 78 to '83

[Rajan]

i remember Ravi shastri getting picked up for the indian team in NZ, with out much of a domestic experience, just because he was a mumbai player. it is another matter that he survived and fluorished, made the most of his abilities. but i honestly felt that time Raghu Ram bhat was deprived of his chances. but i dont think he was the sole beneficiary of such largesse from BCCI selection committee. some time back, Noel David was sent to west indies when some bowler broke down.He was a specialist fielder if anything.very average off spinner. at the same time some one like Kanwaljit singh from Hyderabad was always denied chances.

[vroomfondel]

HS, thanks for posting this. very informative thread for noobs like me. hope he makes a great recovery. (ps, Rajan, you've written some great posts in the past...come around more often). edit: unless you're the same person ;) well, even then you should post more...

[Rajan]

HS, thanks for posting this. very informative thread for noobs like me. hope he makes a great recovery. (ps, Rajan, you've written some great posts in the past...come around more often). edit: unless you're the same person ;) well, even then you should post more...

Oh!Thanks Vroom. I am in recruitment,was busy for the last few months, now recession has hit my company hard and i have more time to spend on Cricket:--D i will post more but my problem is i get too involved in the discussions and some times get emotional and lose my sleep. It used to happen to me a lot on C4 forum and another forum when defending Indian team/players/BCCI as well as criticising the same combo!

[Guest HariSampath]

No reqs coming in...no closing of positions scheduled...no chasing candidates to see which company they enter on start date...no checking up on offer letters...no offering sweetners on CTC....perfect time for cricket :D

[Rajan]

No reqs coming in...no closing of positions scheduled...no chasing candidates to see which company they enter on start date...no checking up on offer letters...no offering sweetners on CTC....perfect time for cricket :D

OMG Hari, cant believe it! how can u describe my routine, Man! the only difference is i am running the consultancy, and not in to recruitment in a SW company. my clients have fozen on reqs. so, am in BD mode, looking at engineering and manufacturing verticals to add clients. My team handles the reqs and i interact with HR's for reqs/scheduling/follow up. but in this vertical, things move in snail pace compared to IT where it used to be, take reqs today, schedule strday, release offer tomorrow, on board next week!

[Guest HariSampath]

^ Thats because half a dozen ppl like ,you running consultancies are now my clients, trying to find out ways to stay afloat , and I draw up survival strategies for them,...I deal with this story all the time :D but more of that offline :-) I will PM u about it :-)

[Rajan]

That would be a great help! Thanks in advance.!!!