Sunny Days

Sunny Days – Sunil Gavaskar’s Own Story

The book was first published in 1976, which actually surprised me, as usually cricketers write about their life and experiences, after they retire.

I was really impressed with Sunny’s writing style and vocabulary as I wasn’t expecting it from a book written 30 years back, that too by a cricketer. Anyways I thoroughly enjoyed the book, not just because I am an cricket lover but also due to the way in which Sunny has written it.
Some amazing facts and some really interesting stories form Sunny’s life:

Sunny was born on 10th July, 1949, and could have exchanged with a fisherwoman’s baby. But thanks to his uncle, who had identified him with a whole in his left ear.

He has mentioned about an incident at CCI ground, at Bombay in 1970, when India were playing against Aussies, but no details. If anybody comes to know, please let me know.

Reserves: Once Sunny was selected to play for Bombay in Ranji trophy. He was included in the team as 12th man, and was dropped after the test. Sunny wrote about it as “This is one thing which has always foxed me. How the reserves get dropped remains a mystery. Do they suddenly become so bad after one game that they don’t deserve a place, even as a ‘reserve’? How can one merit such a treatment, even without playing?

Don Bradman
Sunny went to play for Rest of World, against Aussies. A funny incident occurred between Tony Greig, Hylton Ackerman and Sir Don.Tony and Ackerman had arrived at Melbourne to be greeted by Gar Sobers and an elderly gentleman. As being tired Ackerman just said hello to them and moved on. After this he handed over his bag to that gentleman as went to restrooms. Later when he was back he asked him that whether he belonged to Australian Cricket, which he replied in affirmative. Ackerman asked him if he had played cricket, to which he said “Yes”. Since Ackerman had not caught the Gentleman’s name properly, so he asked him “What did you say your name was?” .The answer was “Don Bradman”.

Umpiring Aberrations
Sunny recalls one particular incident on the tour of Sri Lanka.

I am specially reminded of one such perverse decision. Ajit de Silva popped up a catch off his gloves to the wicket-keeper, but umpire negatived it. All this, while the batsman was wringing his hand in pain and, after the over, took his gloves off to inspect the damage.

Geoff Boycott and Bedi
Once Bishan Singh Bedi was taking autographs of the players, on the tour of England. So he casually asked Geoff for the autograph, to which Geoff replied” I’ll give you a autograph only if you bowl me a full-toss first ball”. Bishan quipped” Provided you last our seamers”.

Sunday Clubs

The Rest of World team in Australia also had a Sunday Cub. One such club meeting required the players to attend the gathering, wearing just Underwear and a Tie.And no was allowed to attend the meeting in a Dressing Gown. Everyone had to come to the meeting, all the way from their room, in the required uniform. Tony Grieg and Hylton Ackerman were not wearing the ties and would have to be fined. Grieg however got up and said that he was wearing a tie. To prove it, he got up nad lowered his underpants to show that he was wearing the tie around his waist! His argument was that it was not specified hoe and where to wear the tie. Zahir Abbass, who was the chairman of the club was so hilarious after hearing this, that he asked Rohan Kanhai to finish his drink in one gulp and said” I want you to do bottoms up”. Rohan taking him literally, put his ‘bottom’ up.

Another such incident involves Richard Hutton. To Clive Lloyd, who was drinking Black Coffee, Richard remarked” Don’t be so racial, have some milk too”.

-- Mishra