What began as a professional collaboration on the cricket field evolved into a remarkable friendship that transcended the boundaries of sport. Gundappa Viswanath and Anshuman Gaekwad, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, built a bond that went far beyond their time as teammates.
“I’ve just returned from Aunshu’s house, and I still can’t come to terms with the fact that I won’t see him ever again. Going to his home knowing he isn’t there was unimaginable,” Viswanath shared, his voice tinged with raw emotion, over the phone from Vadodara.
Vivid memories flow back to Viswanath, who stood at the non-striker’s end when Gaekwad made his Test debut against the formidable West Indies at Eden Gardens on New Year’s Day, 1975. “Blood on the pitch,” Viswanath recalls vividly. “What a way to welcome a youngster into Test cricket. The sight of blood from where he took guard was unmissable. But if Aunshu was affected, he showed no signs of it.”
The blood on the pitch was from Indian skipper MAK ‘Tiger’ Pataudi, who had been struck flush on the face by a fiery delivery from Andy Roberts, forcing him to leave the field. India was reeling at 94 for 4 against a rampant West Indian attack led by Roberts, and ably supported by Bernard Julien and Vanburn Holder. Gaekwad, only 21 at the time, must have felt the nerves, but his composure belied any such discomfort. “Within no time, I knew that Aunshu wouldn’t give his wicket away easily; it had to be earned. And that’s how he played throughout his career,” Viswanath reminisced.
The duo stitched together a critical 75-run partnership for the fifth wicket, playing a crucial role in India’s eventual 85-run victory. Viswanath struck a glorious 139 in the second innings, a knock he cherishes as one of his best, while Gaekwad fell to spin in both innings – a rarity in matches against the West Indies in those days.
“Everyone has lauded Aunshu’s bravery and determination with the bat,” Viswanath said of the former opener, who passed away last week. “I’ve witnessed his resilience firsthand on countless occasions. When it came to opening for India, Sunil [Gavaskar] was unmatched, without a doubt, but Aunshu was in a league of his own. No trick could unsettle him.”
The West Indies deployed every trick in the book, including some outside of it, during the infamous ‘Bloodbath of Kingston’ in 1976, a match held just after India’s remarkable victory at Port of Spain. “Michael Holding spearheaded the attack. They sent down not just numerous bouncers, but also the occasional beamer,” Viswanath remembered.
“We were outraged at the umpires for not intervening, but what could we do? Amidst that brutal barrage, Aunshu stood tall, batting like a hero. For over seven and a half hours, he endured blows all over his body but never flinched. He was hit on his fingers, his ribcage, and finally, a blow to his left ear from a Holding lifter forced him to retire hurt. Yet, he wasn’t defeated.
. That 81 not out was worth more than a century. I haven’t seen a more courageous knock in my entire cricketing career.”
Cricket might have been the medium, but Viswanath and Gaekwad were more than just teammates for India and opponents in domestic cricket. “We became really close,” Viswanath said, his voice cracking with emotion. “He was an absolute gentleman, with wonderful manners, an excellent host, a keen listener, and a superb sense of humor.”
Their wives, Jyoti and Kavita, also shared a deep bond. “Kavita has never been this affected by a loss. She saw Aunshu as her dada (older brother). Visiting their home and seeing Jyoti without Aunshu beside her was indescribably hard,” Viswanath confessed.
Their last encounter was in Hyderabad in January, during the annual BCCI awards function. “It was a brief meeting,” Viswanath recalled. “Aunshu felt a bit tired and wanted to rest. We planned to catch up the next morning, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. His sudden departure is a tremendous loss for the cricketing community and a deeply personal one for me. I still struggle to accept that he’s gone.”
Messages of sympathy and tribute have poured in from around the world, including from bowlers whom Gaekwad faced with courage. “I know Mikey [Holding] sent a heartfelt message, among others,” Viswanath said, his pride in Gaekwad’s legacy evident. “Tributes have come from England, Australia, Pakistan – bowlers he faced with unyielding grit. The world knows about Anshuman Gaekwad, the batter. I feel fortunate to have known him as a person.”
“Aunshu was warm, generous, and eternally optimistic. He never dwelled on what could have been, instead embracing life with gratitude. Born to cricket, his tactical acumen and man-management skills are well-documented, but he excelled beyond it. A true aristocrat, he was comfortable in any setting, from royalty to the rest of us. His legacy will always be a special part of my life.”
“Rest well, my friend. Our bond and friendship will continue forever,” concluded Viswanath, a poignant tribute to a partnership rooted in cricket, but blossomed into an everlasting friendship.