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After representing Maharashtra schools in table tennis, she moved into cricket, just at the right time. Women's cricket was just coming up in '74 and she played in the inaugural series in '75. The following year, she landed a job with the railways and quit her studies for good. Her logic was simple: "Studies were for a job and I had mine."

In '78, she was appointed captain and continued juggling with the post till '93. With 120 wickets, Diana remains the highest wicket taker of the game and has been felicitated several times: The Maharashtra government Shiv Chatrapati award in '78; the country's highest sports honour -- the Arjuna award -- in '83. Then there was a Diana Eduljee benefit match last year in recognition of her service to the game, a rare honour that even eludes many male cricketers.

Cricket for her was a full time career. There was no room for any compromises. Even marriage was a hindrance. Prizing her independence greatly and calling herself 'much of a loner,' she remains 'blissfully single'. If 20 years were not enough, her dedication to the game is not easy to refute. In veteran cricket writer Raju Bharatan's assessment, Diana was, "highly motivated and an achiever. A skilled bowler, she could compete with any man as far as fielding went."

But Diana firmly believes that male and female cricket cannot be compared. Cricket cannot have a mixed doubles situation like badminton or tennis. There are limitations that women have which she explains rather lucidly, "I can be an outstanding cricketer but cannot compete with the men. What men play is brutal force, while women is grace and skill."

A fact she learnt quite the hard way. After all, it was playing against boys in the first year of her cricketing career that she lost those four front teeth. "Sometimes people call me the Kapil Dev or Bishan Singh Bedi of women's cricket, but I say want to remain the Diana of women's cricket," she affirmed her stance.

Her contribution and performance was very all well, but they brought with it many disheartening moments that had to be faced outright. Trying situations that became tougher and had to be tackled judiciously, especially when touring overseas. The '86 tour to England was one such experience. Citing the incident she revealed how the chairman of the cricket council of women's cricket in England had said some harsh words about India and the Indian team in her speech. "She continued humiliating us at the prize distribution, so I just signalled to my players and we walked off."

Diana put her foot down that the team would not continue with the tour unless an apology came their way. PC Alexander, the then Indian High Commissioner was summoned. The BBC contacted her. "In the interview, I said I hope the British people and the British sports council realise they don't rule us any more. We play cricket the hard way. We have come to play, not to make friends." The English called her 'hot curry,' but she was rock firm and finally the apology did come through before the next fixture.

Having put up with similar instances, Diana blames the Indian sports administration for this kind of attitude meted to its sports persons. "When foreign teams come here, we roll the red carpet. This is however not reciprocated. They demand a lot of things while we have to make do by living in university hostels," she pointed out.

Food was the other problem. Since most of the girls were vegetarians they had to make do with whatever was available. Until they started taking the allowance and made their own provisions with the help of Indian families and restaurants. "I remember once Ravi Shastri was refused a second helping of ice cream during an overseas tour. If this were to happen to a foreign player in India, he would have got the whole barrel of ice cream. And heaven forbid, if he was refused the waiter would probably lose his job."

Then there were moments that were memorable. Her moments of personal glory. Of that day in Patna, where she was instrumental in India's victory over West Indies. Their solitary win in any test match so far. "The cheer that shot up when we struck the winning shot was something we just saw on television for men's cricket or hockey," she confessed. "The 15 minute bus drive from the stadium to the hotel took 45 minutes because of the crowds that thronged the street."

Limited as they were, such moments were not easy to come by. Crowds that showed up --approximately 15,000 to 20,000 in the early stages started dwindling. "Since the federation lacked funds, the game often suffered. The set back of the five year gap not only affected our performance, but also resulted in the loss of public interest," she says.

Unwilling to buy the argument that the popularity of men's cricket has led to the decline of other sport in India, Diana feels the administrators of the other games should first straighten their act. "In a speech, the president of the Indian Olympic Association, Suresh Kalmadi, said that people should stop watching cricket…Why should they? We should build our own house first before pulling down another," came her even retort.

Another fallback was not concentrating at the junior level. It was too late to fish out talent at the university level. "So if you start grooming them at 16-17, they are 24-25 by the time they break into the team. That's too late. Sachin was 15 when he played India." These were familiar problems that she rattled effortlessly. Moreover, the career span of girls was largely limited. "Then there was marriage. There were some who played for six months and left because they were getting married," she continued.

Of course, there were some exceptions. Rajani Venugopal was back on the field six months after her delivery. But those were the old horses. Diana Eduljee, Shanta Rangaswami, Shubhangi Kulkarni … veterans of the game in India. Many of whom participated in Diana's benefit match. Giving his preference, Bharatan said, "I would put Diana amongst the top three the game has had so far."

He further explained that she was often misunderstood because people were unable to realise that as a woman she could be serious about cricket. "Diana was the pioneer of women's cricket who set the standards for the game. And as we all know pioneers never get their due," Bharatan stressed.

Through the thick and thin of women's cricket, Diana's has been a long journey. A journey that was fully supported by her family. "My parents never said, 'Stop playing. Who'll marry you?' As a matter of fact, my elder sister also played cricket for India," she spoke of her family she still lived with and appreciated for the privacy they gave her.

The reminiscing came with forthright ease. Only interrupted by sundry telephone calls, which she answered in terse Hindi. Completely in tune with that yellow paper weight on the table which propagated the use of Hindi for official work.

Though life had changed from those cricketing days and old team mates had moved on, attempts were made to keep in touch. "Diana's was a one track mind," says Shubhnagi Kulkarni, who now runs a sports boutique in Pune and tries to contact Diana when she visits Bombay. "Though she was very fun loving and liked to take her friends along, cricket is what we discussed, even in our free time," she recalled.

And it is the neglect of this game that distresses Diana. A situation that could improve if the BCCI takes women cricket under its wings. "This is why Australia and New Zealand are benefiting. They are financially sound," she offered her solution to the malaise.

But, till then, and perhaps even after that, she wants to work for the upliftment of women's cricket in India. To return to the game what it has given her. Once again, seriously. Just like her game which was never for fun, a trip, or a holiday. And Diana Eduljee, who 'hates to lose', could just as well pull women's cricket through.

This time from her playing field in a stately gothic building.

Photographs: Jewella Miranda                                                    ...Back

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