Dilip Sardesai memorial talk evokes memories and mirth

A memorial talk on cricket in memory of the late India cricketer Dilip Sardesai at the Cricket Club of India's (CCI) C K Nayudu Hall yesterday evening dispelled the grey monsoon clouds with its wit and wisdom.

First Dilip Sardesai memorial talk evokes memories and mirth

Commentator Harsha Bhogle opened proceedings to a packed hall setting the tenor for a fun talk. Bhogle said in his introduction that Dilip Sardesai always spoke his mind, a trait that the whole Sardesai family seems to have imbibed.
The chief speaker Sunil Gavaskar then took the mike saying, "When friends asked me what I was going to talk about, I really had no idea. Cricket is such a vast topic." 'Sunny bhai' as he was called in jest did speak very well though, reminiscing about the West Indies tour of 1970-71 and how Sardesai gave Indian cricketers the courage and determination to stand up to the West Indian pace battery.

Gavaskar said that Sardesai excelled as a mentor, "giving youngsters tips about cricket," of course, "occasionally, he would give them a kick in the butt too." A rapt audience listened as Gavaskar made a point about the old days of cricket when players travelled to tourneys by train. "That was such a learning experience. The juniors were on the top berth, while seniors were on the lower, playing cards. There was so much to learn from them, mainly how to hang in there and never give up on the field."

Sardesai was a true talent spotter Gavaskar said, and should have been a selector. Incidentally, Gavaskar added that it was Sardesai who gave the Indian cricketing lexicon the word, 'chakku', meant for a player who liked to show off. Gavaskar said that youngsters are now content on getting into an Indian Premier League (IPL) team but the ultimate goal should be the India cap. There's no doubt that Dilip Sardesai must have smiled from up there and said to his partner in heaven, Eknath Solkar, 'Ekki, Chakk(u) de India'.u00a0