Sunil Gavaskar has expressed disappointment regarding the delayed tribute by the Indian cricket team to the late Dattajirao Gaekwad.
Gavaskar’s Disappointment and Call for Timely Tribute to Dattajirao Gaekwad
The former India captain, who passed away last Tuesday, was honored by the players wearing black armbands, but Gavaskar emphasized that this gesture should have occurred on the first day of the Test match itself.
Dattajirao Gaekwad, a significant figure in Indian cricket, was an early captain of the Indian cricket team and led the country in 11 Tests, including the 1959 tour of England.
Despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressing condolences, Gavaskar remained upset about the delayed acknowledgment by the players.
Drawing a comparison with the Australian cricket team, Gavaskar commended their tradition of wearing black armbands as a symbol of unity and brotherhood.
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Comparison with Australian Tradition and Acknowledgment on Day 3
In a recent statement, Gavaskar reiterated his earlier sentiments, emphasizing that the players should have donned the black armbands on Day 1 instead of waiting until Day 3. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledged the belated tribute with a “better late than never” sentiment.
He emphasized that the Australian team demonstrates solidarity by collectively wearing black armbands even in the face of a relative’s passing, showcasing the strong bond within the team.
Team India is wearing black armbands to pay respect to the former Indian cricketer Dattajirao Gaekwad, who recently passed away. #INDvsENG #Cricket #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/1V2tb8CfPM
— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) February 17, 2024
Gavaskar, in his column for Mid-Day, appreciated the Indian team eventually wearing black armbands on Day Three of the Test match to honor Dattajirao Gaekwad.
He noted the significance of such gestures, underlining the Australian team’s practice as an example of the tight-knit camaraderie that has historically defined successful cricket teams.
Dattajirao Gaekwad’s legacy extends beyond his international cricket career. Despite not achieving massive success at the international level, he made a significant impact in the Indian domestic circuit, accumulating over 5000 runs from 110 First-Class matches.
His leadership guided Baroda to its maiden Ranji Trophy title during the 1957-58 season, solidifying his stature in Indian cricket history. Dattajirao passed away at the age of 95 after battling health issues for the last year-and-a-half, marking the end of an era for one of India’s cricketing pioneers.
