What began as a partnership at the cricket crease evolved into a friendship that would last a lifetime. Gundappa Viswanath and Anshuman Gaekwad were not only long-time teammates who represented India but also developed a deeper connection that went beyond cricket.
“I just returned from Aunshu’s house, and I still can’t grasp that I’ll never see him again. Visiting his home without him there was something I could have never imagined,” said Viswanath, his voice filled with emotion during a phone call from Vadodara after Gaekwad’s passing.
Viswanath, often called ‘Vishy,’ was at the non-striker’s end when Gaekwad first stepped onto the field for a Test match against West Indies at Eden Gardens on New Year’s Day in 1975. “There was blood on the pitch,” Viswanath reminisces with Cricbuzz. “It was Andy Roberts, who had hit our captain MAK ‘Tiger’ Pataudi in the face, which forced him off the field. India was struggling at 94 for 4 against a fierce attack from Roberts, Bernard Julien, and Vanburn Holder. Aunshu was only 21, possibly nervous and tense. But as soon as he took his stance, I saw an assured presence. Very quickly, I realized that Aunshu wouldn’t give his wicket away easily; it had to be earned.”
The duo shared a vital 75-run stand for the fifth wicket, which was crucial in India’s eventual victory by 85 runs. Viswanath contributed significantly with a remarkable 139 in the second innings, a performance he considers one of his best, while Gaekwad, though dismissed by spin twice in the match—a rare event against West Indies at the time—proved his mettle.
“Everyone has talked about Aunshu’s courage and determination with the bat,” Viswanath recalled of his former opening partner, who passed away last week. “I’ve witnessed these qualities up close on countless occasions. Sunil [Gavaskar] undoubtedly led the way as an opener, but Aunshu was something else entirely. No trick could shake him.”
In 1976, during the infamous ‘Bloodbath of Kingston,’ the West Indies tested every tactic to unsettle Gaekwad. “Michael Holding spearheaded their attack, and they bowled numerous bouncers and beamers. We were incensed, not at the bowlers but at the umpires for their inaction. Yet, Aunshu faced it all with the heart of a champion. For over seven and a half hours, he took hits all over his body but didn’t falter. He finally had to retire hurt after a blow to his left ear from Holding, but it was an 81 not out worth more than a century in my eyes.
. It remains the most courageous knock I’ve ever seen.”
Beyond their cricketing moments, Viswanath and Gaekwad’s bond deepened off the field. “We became incredibly close,” Vishy reflected emotionally. “Aunshu was a true gentleman, a great host, a fantastic listener, and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Our wives, Jyoti and Kavita, also became great friends. Kavita considered Aunshu her older brother, and seeing Jyoti without him was heartbreaking.”
Their last meeting occurred in Hyderabad in January during the annual BCCI awards function. “It was brief,” Viswanath recounted. “Aunshu felt a little tired and wanted to rest, so we couldn’t catch up the next morning as planned. I never imagined he would leave us so suddenly. It’s a significant loss to the cricket world but, for me, a profoundly personal one. I’m still grappling with his unexpected departure.”
Gaekwad’s passing reverberated worldwide, with heartfelt messages pouring in, including from bowlers he faced with grit and a broad blade. “I know Mikey [Holding] sent a sincere message,” Viswanath said proudly. “Several bowlers from England, Australia, and Pakistan have shared their thoughts. It shows just how remarkable a person Aunshu was. While the world knew him as a cricketer, I was fortunate to know him personally.
“Aunshu was warm, generous, eternally optimistic, and always grateful for whatever life offered him. He met every challenge with a smile. Born into cricket and for cricket, his tactical skills were well-known, but he was much more. An aristocrat by birth, he could fit in anywhere, whether among royalty or with the rest of us. He remains an irreplaceable part of my life. Rest well, my friend, and know that our family bond and friendship will continue forever.”