“1982-83 was my first tour to the Caribbean Islands. And on the morning of the first match of the tour – it was one of those side-games – I was bubbling with excitement. After all, I was to travel to the ground in a coach that was to carry stalwarts like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Syed Kirmani. First game of any tour being the most important I knew I wouldn’t be part of the playing eleven. Still, for a twenty-year-old boy it was a matter of pride. However, I was yet to learn the very meaning of the word “pride”.

"We were batting first and just before the lunch break, a Malcolm Marshall delivery struck Sunil on his forehead and raced to the boundary. Our tent was shaken! A few seniors rose to their toes. And being the junior-most in the team I was thrust with an ice-bucket and ordered to go onto the ground. I didn’t have choice – in fact I was happy! For, I had got an opportunity to serve my idol. Without wasting any time I strode onto the field and all of a sudden I heard a few choicest of Marathi gaalis (abuses).

"I was surprised, looked here n’ there and wondered as to who is it in West Indies with that perfect pronunciation and slang. Not before long, I discovered that it was no one else, but, Gavaskar – my idol – Sunil Gavaskar, was trying to get me out of the ground. Caught half way between the tent and the icon I didn’t know where to go. Ultimately, another “one” came from Sunil and I decided to be loyal to him! I went back.

"Ten minutes later it was lunch break. Sunil caught me by my arm and pulled me before the entire team and started shouting, “Who the hell asked this boy to come onto the ground with ice? I had not asked for help. I am toiling hard out there wanting to show them that we are not soft guys, we won’t give in easily and that we take a lot of pride in representing the country and you are sending unsolicited help? Whoever it may be, he should take the first flight back to India if he can’t take a blow or two for his country…” By then, my arm, in the clutches of Sunil, was in pain. Sunil went on and on for the entire lunch break without removing any of his gear and without having lunch. Obviously, no one else dared to lunch too!

"That day, during that lunch break, I had learnt the lesson of my life and the very meaning of taking pride in representing the country. By the way, Sunil scored a hundred that day”.