Gavaskar was as good as Tendulkar, Bradman: Nadkarni | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Gavaskar was as good as Tendulkar, Bradman: Nadkarni

PTI | By, Mumbai
Jul 11, 2014 11:45 AM IST

The modern generation of cricket followers might feel Sachin Tendulkar is the last word in batting, but for people of the previous generation or even older, Sunil Gavaskar was as good a batsman, according to former Test all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni.

The modern generation of cricket followers might feel Sachin Tendulkar is the last word in batting, but for people of the previous generation or even older, Sunil Gavaskar was as good a batsman, according to former Test all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni.

HT Image
HT Image

"While it is Tendulkar now, then it was Gavaskar. In the class of cricket (batting) Gavaskar was as good as Tendulkar as a stroke maker, or even the Don (Bradman)," said the octogenarian in his keynote address at the Legends Club here last evening at the function to celebrate Gavaskar's 65th birthday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Nadkarni, who is 81, recalled how the "Little Master" had batted without the helmet during his entire cricket career.

"He refused to wear a helmet while batting though helmet was available to be used," said Nadkarni who played 41 Tests between 1955 and 1968 in which he scored 1,414 runs with 122 not out as his highest score and also grabbed 88 wickets with his inch-perfect left arm spin bowling.
Nadkarni also praised Gavaskar as the first person to scale what was the Himalayan peak of 10,000 Test runs that he accomplished in Ahmedabad.

"It's a great feat as the intensity of cricket matches was not as much as it's now. There were fewer Test matches to be played, at least two years for a series to happen. In our time we had to wait even for four years (for India to play a Test series)," remembered Nadkarni.
"He went to the top step by step, from schools cricket to collegiate and then inter-university cricket to first class cricket. His dedication to the game and powers of concentration never flagged till the end of his career," he said.

"For us it was Gavaskar in cricket, (Nandu) Natekar in badminton and (Ramanathan) Krishnan in tennis. They all made the game look easy," Nadkarni said and also recalled the former India captain's dedication to the only club he played for in local league cricket, Dadar Union.

"When he was in Mumbai he saw to it that he played for Dadar Union," said Nadkarni.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and exclusive insights on the MI vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times Website and Apps.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On