Dadar re-union at Shivaji Park

It was a re-union of the two famous clubs, organised by Dilip Vengsarkar. Old and young, Indian and club cricketers, proud and happy, congregated at the Matunga Gymkhana for an afternoon of good times. And this is where Wadekar shared that story. Sanjay Manjrekar later tweeted pictures that reflected a day well spent with old friends: A smiling Sunil Gavaskar standing obeisantly next to Wadekar, seated in the chair.

The mind went back to another photo — Wadekar, India’s captain then, suited classily in blazer and tie, his back ramrod-straight, right hand tucked in his pocket, his left holding aloft an umbrella and walking regally down a London road.

Alongside, was Gavaskar— his left hand clasping his inexpensive tweed jacket against his chest, looking his age — a boy just to be glad with a figure-head of Indian cricket.

Now the relationship has matured; both stay at the same apartment building in Worli by the sea, and both are now spending Christmas with old friends. And here was Gavaskar, several thousand evenings after that walk in London, mimicking his first Test captain.

There was drinks, food, and singing. A lot of singing. Gavaskar broke into the famous calypso, written on him by Lord Relator in 1971 and which he only heard three years later, courtesy Andy Roberts who played the cassette to him in England. And now, at Gymkhana in Matunga, Gavaskar himself sung those lines, “Just like a wall, they couldn’t out him at all”.

Sanjay Manjrekar, who released an album called “Rest Day’ in mid-90’s, and these days carries professional recording equipment with him on commentating duties and sings every evening in his hotel room; too charmed the gathering. 

There was pal pal dil k saath and other songs. Padmalkar Shivalkar, rated as the best spinner not to have played for India, enchanted his friends with his singing.

X’mas cricket 

Famous names from India and Bombay cricket were all present. Madhav Apte, Padmalkar Shivalkar, Milind Rege, Vasu Paranjpe and his son Jatin, Karsan Ghavri and the likes of Sridhar Mandke, Bharat Nadkarni, Avi Karnik mingled and laughed. So did the 72-year old Urmikant Modi, who played two decades for Dadar Union from the late 50’s and now a diamond merchant in USA, who flew down for this re-union. And of course they played a game of cricket. Just like the old times. Paranjpe led Shivaji Park and Wadekar the captain of Dadar Union. Vengsarkar, still looking fit in whites, cracked three sixes and a four, looting 24 runs before he walked off.

When asked about his manic hitting, he says: “ My back is gone! I couldn’t control the urge to hit out. But what a wonderful day it was. I just felt that something should be done like this. These are two great clubs with such great history and all of us spread here and there. I spoke to Vasu Paranjpe who immediately said it’s great idea to play a match like this. And we contacted the old players and everyone agreed. It was so great to see everyone so happy.”

Gavaskar, who didn’t bat, umpired for a over or two. And for the record Dadar Union won. Rege affects a tone of pride and chuckles as he says, “This might be the last chance for all of us to play against each other and you see we had to prove a point and so we won! Not that we used to beat Shivaji Park often in those days but it was good to win this all important match! It was of course all the laughter,fun, singing and nostalgia that we shall all remember from this day.”

It seems a rather wonderful way to spend Christmas and to look back at enjoyable days spent under the sun, playing a game that they all fell in love with as boys. And it was Jatin Paranjpe who summed it up best. “It was rivalry of class.

“I was astonished by little things. Like seeing Ashok Wadekar, 60 years now, but landing his left-arm spin deliveries on the spot. All the six balls. I also remember the humour of Ajit Wadekar. The team had lost the game and said: “Arre, I thought it was a best-of-three series. So we took the first game lightly!” Jatin loved the way the old timers mingled so easily with each other, even though some were meeting after years, singing and pulling each other’s leg.

“It’s like good friends I guess. You pick from where you left off the last time you met. They love their Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi and they all sung so well. Paddy (Shivalkar) was quite a hit with so many songs. I am still swirling now in emotions,” he added.