When Madan Lal pulled off a stunner at SCG to revive confidence(Magic Moments Ind-Aus)

By Khurram Habib New Delhi, Nov 28 : At a time when Indias fielding standards were considered not as good as they are now — the poor show by Virat Kohlis boys in the first ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) notwithstanding — Madan Lal was an exception in 1970s.
Back in the 1970s, when diving catches were not said to be as frequent as they are now, Madan Lal pulled off a stunner at fine leg to dismiss Peter Toohey at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the fourth Test during India’s 1977-78 tour of Australia.
India were on the verge of winning that Sydney Test in January, 1978, but Toohey was putting up a strong resistance to ensure Aussies don’t lose by an innings. But Madan Lal, who was playing as a substitute in that fourth Test, after being benched following below-par show with the bat in the first two Tests, grabbed a stunner.
“I was struggling with the bat and not getting runs. Though I got wickets, nine wickets (including a fifer) in the first two Test matches, India needed someone who could score runs for them. And I was sitting out (in the third and fourth Tests) and I said to myself, ‘I have messed up the batting’. I thought I should do something with which I can get to play Tests again in my life. So, I grabbed at the chance I got. When you have something in mind, then you know, these things happen,” says Madan Lal who is now part of BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee.
Madan Lal says he had a safe pair of hands and hardly dropped catches.
“I have a record of not dropping any catch. I have hardly dropped any catch because I had a safe pair of hands. My arm was also very good,” he said.