Mumbai Cricket The Association (MCA) on Friday honored two of India’s greatest cricketers – legendary Sunil Gavaskar and ‘Lord of Lords’ Dilip Vengsarkar in a grand ceremony at their home ground – the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The cricket body first presented a hospitality box to 72-year-old Gavaskar, who made his Test debut against the mighty West Indies at Port of Spain on March 06, 1971.
Gavaskar, the former India captain and a veteran of 125 Tests, completed 50 years in international cricket earlier this year. Also, on the occasion, MCA inaugurated the ‘Dilip Vengsarkar Stand’ in honor of the former National President of Selectors and a veteran of 116 Tests.
Both Gavaskar and Vengsarkar were present on the occasion. Besides this, former India opener and stylish player GR Vishwanath, who is also Gavaskar’s brother-in-law, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, former ICC, BCCI and MCA chief Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and senior MCA host were present. Office bearers including President Vijay Patil and Secretary Sanjay Naik and Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar. The association also started ‘Madhav Mantri Centenary Year Celebrations’.
Addressing the gathering, Vishwanath praised both Gavaskar and Vengsarkar in his over 30-minute speech and recalled several anecdotes about the two players. Tendulkar also brought back memories of Madhav Minister Sir, Gavaskar and Vengsarkar.
“When we talk about discipline, the first name that comes to my mind is Madhav Mantri sir, who was like a father figure to me. On that tour of England (in 1991) I scored my first Test century and sir (Madhav Mantri) was very happy. It was August 14. We also kept the series alive,” he said and also recalled how Madhav Mantri was with him at his “first” press conference. Tendulkar also recalled how he first met Gavaskar during the 1987 World Cup , when he worked as a ball boy at this landmark inside the dressing room. He said, “When I was first selected among the probables for Ranji Trophy, Gavaskar’s name was on the list and I wanted to play along. But that dream remained unfulfilled,” he said and also recalled that it was because of ‘cricket’ of late. Asked to bowl in the net.
Tendulkar also recalled anecdotes from the epic ‘1991 Ranji Trophy final’ when he saw Vengsarkar in tears. That year domestic giants Mumbai lost the final, one of the most remembered games in domestic history, to Haryana by two runs.
Tendulkar quipped, “The stand we see after his (Vengsarkar’s) name is a tribute to those tears. Vengsarkar thanked the association and Apex Council members for the honor bestowed upon him. I first Bar played a match here.” in 1974 and that stand was being constructed (then),” said Vengsarkar, who is also a former India captain and office bearer of the association.
Gavaskar thanked the MC for the great honor accorded to him and also recalled an anecdote about Madhav Mantri. The legendary opener also thanked veteran cricket columnist Makarand Waingankar.
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