Cricket is a Gentlemen's Game

by Deep Dey Mon 28 Nov 2011, 4:54 pm

One of the best gestures in World Cricket:
Well its a well known fact that Sir Garfield Sobers was Ajit Wadekar's Idol.
Here is an interesting incident between them as recalled by Legendary Indian batsman and captain Ajit Wadekar

In 1966, West Indies Toured India for 3 test match series.
It was 12th,december 1966.

Ajit Wadekar(Former Indian Captain), then barely 25(age), was batting in the nets at the Brabourne Stadium(very close to Wankhede Stadium). The great Garfield Sobers was at the adjacent wicket. After a lengthy session, Wadekar sat down to take off his pads. And as he prepared to leave, Sobers walked up to him.

“Hey, young man, are you playing tomorrow?” he(Sobers) enquired. “Well, if you are, then you better get a new pair of shoes,” Sobers said, pointing at
Wadekar’s slightly torn footwear. “I have scored a lot of runs with these on,” Wadekar replied. “But son, this is international cricket...” Sobers went on. “What do I do? These are all I have,” Wadekar explained,rather helplessly. “What’s your size?” was the opposition captain’s next question(That is Sobers). “Number 10,” Wadekar replied, wondering why Sobers asked him all these questions.

As soon as Wadekar reached home, his mother gave him a package. It was a brand new pair of shoes. He was surprised. And once his mother described the appearance of the ‘soft-spoken man’ who’d visited his home earlier in the day, he realized who it was. Sobers had driven down to Dadar(One of the most Busiest place in India and in Mumbai), bought a pair of shoes and handed it over to Wadekar's mother. Sobers even asked her to ensure that Wadekar wore them.

Wadekar decided to use the new pair. But his debut innings lasted about 30 minutes(he scored 8 runs). And yes, it was Sobers who got Wadekar out(1st innings). Sobers even had the courtesy to say sorry to Wadekar while he crossed him. Well, Wadekar had the audacity to tell Sobers that the new pair of shoes brought him bad luck. They both had a laugh.

Note: This 1st test match of the series was won by West Indies by 6 wickets.
Clive Llyod(WI) and Ajit Wadekar(Ind) made their international debut in this match.