What began as a mere batting partnership blossomed over time into a lifelong friendship that touched the hearts of many. The story of Gundappa Viswanath and Anshuman Gaekwad transcends the cricketing field, etching a deep emotional connection that will be remembered for generations. The two weren’t just teammates for the Indian cricket team; they were soulmates whose bond went far beyond the pitch.
“I just returned from Aunshu’s house, and I still can’t come to terms with the fact that I’ll never see him again. Visiting his home without his presence was something I never thought I’d have to experience,” says Viswanath, his voice breaking with emotion as he speaks from Vadodara. To comprehend the heartbreak, one must go back to the defining moments that shaped their friendship.
It was New Year’s Day in 1975 when Gaekwad first stepped onto the cricket field in a Test match against West Indies at Eden Gardens. Viswanath, famously known as ‘Vishy,’ was at the non-striker’s end and vividly remembers the moment. “There was blood on the pitch,” Viswanath recounts. “What a way to welcome a youngster to Test cricket. The blood was very visible from where he took guard, thanks to a fierce bouncer from Andy Roberts that had hit our skipper, MAK ‘Tiger’ Pataudi, flush on the face.”
India was in a precarious position, 94 for 4, facing the terrifying pace trio of Andy Roberts, Bernard Julien, and Vanburn Holder. “Aunshu was only 21, and naturally tense. But once he settled into his stance, an assured presence filled the crease,” Viswanath recalls. “In no time, I knew that Aunshu wouldn’t give his wicket away easily; it had to be earned.”
Their partnership yielded a crucial 75 runs for the fifth wicket, a contribution that significantly impacted India’s eventual victory by 85 runs. Viswanath scored a majestic 139 in the second innings, while Gaekwad succumbed to spin, a rare occurrence in matches against the West Indies back then. “Everyone talks about how courageous and gutsy Aunshu was with the bat,” Viswanath says.
Gaekwad’s audacity came to the forefront again during the ‘Bloodbath of Kingston’ in 1976, a Test match infamous for its brutal pace bowling. One Test after India scored a then-record 406 for 4 for a stunning victory at Port of Spain, the West Indian bowlers, led by Michael Holding, targeted Indian batsmen with an aggressive barrage of bouncers and beamers. “We were infuriated mainly with the umpires for not stepping in,” Viswanath recalls, “but through that brutal assault, Aunshu batted like a champion. For over seven and a half hours, he took blows all over his body but wouldn’t back down. He displayed immense courage, taking hits on his fingers and ribcage, but when a ball from Holding struck his left ear, he was finally forced to retire hurt. That 81 not out was worth more than a century in my eyes.”
Cricket was just the beginning; their bond deepened off the field.
. “We got really close,” Viswanath recalls, his voice colored with deep affection. “Gaekwad was a thorough gentleman—polite, hospitable, an excellent listener, and blessed with a great sense of humor. Our wives, Jyoti and Kavita, hit it off too. Kavita has never been this affected by a loss; she considered Aunshu her older brother (‘dada’). Visiting their home and seeing Jyoti without Aunshu beside her was an indescribable feeling.”
Their last meeting took place in Hyderabad in January during the annual BCCI awards function. “It was a brief meeting,” Viswanath recollects. “Aunshu mentioned feeling a bit tired and wanted to rest. We planned to catch up the following morning, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. I never imagined he would leave us this soon. His sudden departure is a tremendous loss, not just to the cricketing fraternity but personally to me. I am still grappling with it.”
Tributes and messages have poured in from around the globe, illustrating the impact Gaekwad had on those he faced on the cricket field. “There was a heartfelt message from Mikey [Holding],” Viswanath says, reflecting on how Gaekwad touched lives far and wide. “Messages have come from bowlers in England, Australia, Pakistan—cricketers whom he faced with unparalleled grit. It goes to show what a wonderful human being he was. The world knows Gaekwad, the batter, but I had the fortune to know him intimately.”
Viswanath concludes with a heavy heart but enriched spirit. “Aunshu was warm, generous, and eternally positive. He was born for cricket but was more than just a cricketer. His man-management skills are well-documented, but he was also comfortable in any social setting, a true aristocrat by birth. Aunshu will always remain a significant part of my life. Rest well, my friend. Know that the family bond and friendship we share will continue forever.”