AG Milkha Singh: Forgotton Player Badly Treated by Indian Selectors

AG Milka Singh was the son AG Ram Singh, the legendary player who played for Madras State in the Ranji Trophy. Milkha burst early on the cricket scene in late fifties of the last century. He became well known when he was selected with the Indian colts team managed by Lala Amarnath to Pakistan in 1958. Milka struck a purple patch with scores of 103, 97 and 100 not out in the unofficial test matches.

Milka returned to India and caught the eyes of the selectors. Before that he made a name for himself with a string of tall scores for Madras. Milkha was selected against Australia against the team led by Richie Benaud. He played in the Madras test which was the 4th test of the series. Milka made scores of 16 and 9 and was promptly dropped.

Milka next made his appearence against Pakistan team led by Fazal Mahmood. He made 18 and 35. In the last test at Delhi Milka came into his own and drove, cut and hooked the Pakistan pacers. He made 35 but cricket pundits applauded the batting of young Milka. He was only 20 at that time. That was 1961.

The same year Ted Dexters MCC team came to India. Playing for the board presidents XI , Milkha hit a superb 74. Ted Dexter was also impressed with Milka. He was included in the first test at Bombay and for a 21 year old boy it was battle of nerves and Milkha was out fo2 & 12. Milka Singh then wa only 21 and he never got another chance after that. Milka's test career was before he touched 21.

For the next decade Milka tried to attract attention with a string of tall scores in the Ranji and Duleep Trophy. The selectors following the policy of quota , never gave him another chance. This wastalent that needed to be nurtured, but the selectors failed. It just shows that selection in India has many hidden elemnts and Milka was not the first victim of this whimsical approach.