90-Year Old Member Of Gujarat’s Maiden Ranji Final Congratulates Parthiv Patel-Led Team For Ranji Win
Jan 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Tributes have been pouring in from all corners ever since Gujarat defeated domestic heavyweights Mumbai by five wickets to win their maiden Ranji Trophy title and now a very special person has entered the long-list of wishers.
Walter D’Souza, one of the only two surviving members of Gujarat’s maiden Ranji Trophy final in 1951, congratulated the Parthiv Patel-led team for the monumental achievement.
As quoted in the Mid-Day, he said:
“It was a pleasure talking to these gentleman. I stressed to Vijay how sportsmanship should be drilled into the youngsters. I gave him an example of how I hooked a ball from a Services bowler and was caught at first slip during the semi-final of the 1950-51 Ranji Trophy at Ahmedabad. The umpire had not given me out, but I walked. I was scolded by one of the Gujarat administrators for walking, but I told him, I was out and that was the only fair thing to do.”
Later, D’Souza was introduced to each member of the team and when he came face to face with skipper Parthiv Patel, he said:
“I told a journalist that you had the guts and ability to win the Ranji Trophy final and you proved me right. Well done.”