Published: Jun 08, 2015, 01:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 08, 2015, 01:06 PM (IST)
On his debut Test series, Sunil Gavaskar plundered 774 runs, which remains a record till date for the most runs scored by someone in their first assignment. However, that was aided by generous dose of luck as Gavaskar benefited from numerous fielding lapses from the West Indies. As a result, Garry Sobers, the West Indies skipper, decided to touch him before play every time so that some of his good fortune could transfer to him!.
Sobers used to come to the Indian dressing room to greet skipper Ajit Wadekar and the other players. In the process, he used to touch Gavaskar’s shoulder for luck. And, as fate transpired, Sobers went on to score three consecutive tons.
In the final Test, with India leading 1-0, West Indies had to chase 262 on the final day in quick time. As Sobers was coming into the Indian dressing room, Wadekar pushed the young Gavaskar into the washroom and locked him up!. Sobers greeted everyone but could not find Gavaskar. And as a result he could not touch Gavaskar.
Gavaskar argued with the captain and told him that if Sobers wanted to touch him, he could do it on the field. Wadekar countered, “He only gets runs when he touches you in the dressing room!.”
As West Indies went for the dash, Sobers walked in and was bowled first ball. Wadekar smirked and told Gavaskar, “
I told you!”
