Sunil Gavaskar reminisces of his India selection news given to him by Vinoo Mankad

One of India’s greatest batsmen to have played the game, Sunil Gavaskar shared memories of receiving his maiden call-up to the Indian team. Gavaskar mentioned that it was the renowned Vinood Mankad who had broken the news of his selection into the national side. Four decades since, Sunil Gavaskar took the opportunity to share the little anecdote at an event commemorating India’s famous all-rounder Vinoo Mankad.

The Legends Club organised a programme at Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India to mark Mankad’s centenary birth anniversary on Wednesday. Mankad was born on April 12, 1917, in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He represented India in 44 Tests, scored 2,109 runs and picked up 162 wickets in his national career.

“I lived about five minutes from Dadar station (a suburban railway station in Mumbai), as I was entering I heard the little excitement in the house. The door was opened by my mother and she was very excited, Gavaskar was quoted as saying by New Indian Express.

“There was Vinoo Mankad on the (telephone) line. The news that I was selected for India, I heard from Vinoo Mankad. Vinoo bhai was on the other line and he said, ‘Beta, you have been selected, go on and bat freely’, those were his words,” Gavaskar recalled.

“He handed the phone to Ashok (Mankand), who was my teammate in St Xavier’s and Mumbai and we talked a little bit,” Sunil Gavaskar shared.

Following his call-up to the Indian team, Sunil Gavaskar went on to score 10,122 runs in 125 Tests. A prolific batsman, Gavaskar’s journey began in 1971, where he made his debut against the legendary West Indies side and scored a world record 774 runs in only his debut series. Gavaskar added that he had a chance to interact with Australian great Sir Don Bradman, during which Sir Don spoke highly of Vinoo Mankad.

Vinoo Mankad’s son Rahul was presented with a citation about the great all-rounder. Former India captain Ajit Wadekar, and some former players who have represented India, such as Vasu Paranjpe, Madhav Apte and Salim Durani were also present at the special event.