Cricket is a funny game filled with amusing incidents and happenings! One such incident was recalled by the the Little Master Sunil Gavaskar during the launch of former Indian opener Madhav Apte’s autobiography. It all happened when India was touring the Caribbean in 1971.India during this series played 5 test matches against West Indies Cricket Team, with India clinching the series 1-0.This particular series turned out to be a historic milestone for the Indian cricket in many ways. This was India’s first ever test victory and test series victory against the then mighty West Indies. It was also their first victory in West Indies. In addition to that, this series marked the debut of above mentioned Sunil Gavaskar, who scored loads of runs in the series and went on to become a batting maestro.
During one of the games, a West Indian batsman edged the ball and sent it high in the air, as Eknath Solkar, the legendary Indian fielder was getting ready to catch the ball, a spectator from the crowd shouted to him,”Solkaar,Solkaar.If you drop the catch,you can have my sista[sister]!”
In spite of this ‘tempting’ offer, Solkar took the catch comfortably and sent the batsman back to the pavilion. As the players started to celebrate the fall of wicket, the then skipper, Ajit Wadekar said to Solkar,”Nice catch,Aikla ka kay bola?”[Marathi for ‘Did you hear what he said’]. Solkar replied, ”Yes.But I could not see his sister!”