DUBAI: An extremely emotional Sunil Gavaskar paid rich tributes to former Mumbai cricket stalwart Milind Rege, who passed away on Wednesday morning due to old-age related issues, while speaking to TOI.
"I knew (his death) was coming. I met him in the hospital yesterday before leaving for Dubai. He kept on proffering his hand for me to shake it as if he knew we weren’t going to do it again. I told him I will see him on the 22nd morning and he gave me a wan smile. He was like my elder brother. We lived a building across each other and grew up together, and eventually went to the same school and college. We played tennis ball cricket in the compound. He played Ranji (Trophy) before me and like Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani have done for Mumbai this year, Milind always came to the rescue when we, the so-called top-order failed.
Also See:
India vs Pakistan Head to Head Records in CT |
India vs Pakistan Live StreamingHe was good enough to play for India but there were (Erapalli) Prasanna and (S) Venkataraghavan around (at that time), so he couldn’t break in. Then, at the age of 24 he had his first heart attack. It speaks volumes of his love for Mumbai cricket and his determination that he made a comeback a few years later and even captained Mumbai. Last week, after he was first admitted to the hospital, when I told him that Mumbai had taken a small lead against Haryana, you could see how he immediately perked up," Gavaskar said.
So shaken up has Gavaskar been left by the passing away of a man whom he referred to as his "elder brother" that he revealed that he won't even be able to travel back from Dubai, where he has currently arrived for commentary duties for the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy, as he "won't be able to bear the sight of his still body."
"For him, Mumbai cricket was his life. Yes he had strong opinions and so may have upset a few people but nobody could question his love and commitment to Mumbai cricket. We have known each other since we were a few months old, and that’s why I won’t be able to bear the sight of his still body and won’t return for the funeral. It may sound selfish on my part, but I genuinely won’t be able to take the last rites of my elder brother," Gavaskar concluded, clearly struggling to hold back his emotions.
Stay updated on the latest sports news and know how to watch ICC Champions Trophy live in Canada and the USA, including the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash, India vs Bangladesh and India vs New Zealand.
Start a Conversation
Post comment