What began as a mere batting partnership transformed over the years into a deep friendship that spanned decades. Indian cricket legends Gundappa Viswanath and Anshuman Gaekwad shared a unique bond that transcended the boundary lines of the cricket field.
“I just returned from Aunshu’s house and I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I won’t ever see him again,” Viswanath’s voice quivered with emotion, resonating through a crystal-clear telephone line from Vadodara. The news of Gaekwad’s passing has left a void that is hard for Viswanath to reconcile with. “To visit his home when he is no longer with us, I never imagined I’d see that day,” he added sorrowfully.
Their camaraderie began on New Year’s Day in 1975 at Eden Gardens when ‘Vishy’ found himself at the non-striker’s end as Gaekwad faced his first ball in Test cricket against the West Indies. “There was blood on the pitch,” Viswanath recalled vividly to Cricbuzz. “Andy Roberts had hit our skipper, MAK ‘Tiger’ Pataudi, square on the face, forcing him off the field. India was struggling at 94 for 4, and young Aunshu walked in to face the rampant West Indies attack.”
Viswanath noted that despite Gaekwad being only 21 and likely a bit tense, his demeanor at the crease was unflappable. “Within no time, I knew that Aunshu wouldn’t give his wicket away easily; it had to be earned. This resilience defined his entire career,” said Viswanath. The duo added 75 runs for the fifth wicket, setting the stage for India’s eventual triumph by 85 runs. Viswanath himself played a sublime innings, scoring 139, which he considers one of his best.
Gaekwad’s resolve was put to the test once more during the infamous ‘Bloodbath of Kingston’ in 1976. India faced a ferocious West Indian pace attack led by Michael Holding. “Holding and Co. bowled more than their fair share of bouncers and beamers, testing our mettle,” Viswanath remembered. “The umpires did little to intervene. But Aunshu batted like a true warrior for over seven and a half hours. He took blows all over his body—on his fingers, his ribcage. It was a lifter from Holding that finally forced him to retire hurt.”
Yet, Gaekwad’s 81 not out from that innings holds a special place in cricketing lore. “It was worth more than a century,” Viswanath affirmed.
. “I haven’t seen a more courageous knock in my entire cricketing career.”
Their relationship was far deeper than just cricketing partnerships or rivalries in domestic circuits. “We got really close,” Viswanath said, his voice breaking again. “He was an absolute gentleman—courteous, hospitable, and blessed with a fantastic sense of humor. Our wives, Jyoti and Kavita, also bonded well. Kavita has been deeply affected by his passing; she considered Aunshu her older brother.”
The last time Viswanath met Gaekwad was during the annual BCCI awards ceremony in Hyderabad in January. “It was brief,” Viswanath recalled. “Aunshu mentioned feeling a bit tired and wanted to retire to his room early. We planned to catch up the next day, but it didn’t happen. I never imagined he would leave us so soon. It’s an enormous personal loss.”
Messages of condolence and tribute have poured in from around the world, from former players and bowlers whom Gaekwad faced with an iron resolve. “Mikey [Holding] and several others sent heartfelt messages,” Viswanath noted. “It speaks volumes about how much Aunshu was admired globally. While everyone knew Anshuman Gaekwad the cricketer, I was fortunate to know him as a person. He was warm, generous, and eternally optimistic. He embraced life’s challenges with a broad smile.”
Gaekwad wasn’t just a cricketing wizard; he was a man of many shades—equally comfortable in royal settings and amidst common folks. “He was born to cricket, but he wasn’t defined only by it,” Viswanath emphasized. “His tactical brains and people skills were extraordinary, but his humility stood him apart.”
Viswanath concluded with a poignant farewell, “Rest well, my friend. The bond between our families will continue. You will always have a special place in my heart.”