Remembering a giant

Published : Nov 18, 2006 00:00 IST

I have learnt so much from him that I can't pinpoint one particular thing. He once told me that I try and take my first run too early. He told me to take at least the first few runs safely ... The only time he spoke about his cricket was when discussing strategies on how to get people out. Even that was a great learning experience. — Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain and opener.-RAJEEV BHATT
I have learnt so much from him that I can't pinpoint one particular thing. He once told me that I try and take my first run too early. He told me to take at least the first few runs safely ... The only time he spoke about his cricket was when discussing strategies on how to get people out. Even that was a great learning experience. — Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain and opener.-RAJEEV BHATT
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I have learnt so much from him that I can't pinpoint one particular thing. He once told me that I try and take my first run too early. He told me to take at least the first few runs safely ... The only time he spoke about his cricket was when discussing strategies on how to get people out. Even that was a great learning experience. — Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain and opener.-RAJEEV BHATT

first run too early.Sunil Gavaskar,

The time is not good for Indian cricket and the passing away of Umrigar is another sad event. He was a great cricketer and even more importantly a perfect gentleman.

— Sachin Tendulkar, India's star batsman.

It's too shocking for words. I learned a lot from him. He was a fine human being apart from being a great cricketer. His death has left a void which will be difficult to fill.

— Dilip Vengsarkar, India's chief selector.

He was a great cricketer and a great gentleman. He played only 59 Tests in 14 years and held several records. I'm sure he would have achieved more if the frequency of Tests had been what it's today.

— Nari Contractor, former India captain.saddest days in world cricket.Chandu Borde,

He was the finest human being among cricketers I've known. Like a doctor to patients, he was one to the game of cricket.

— Ravi Shastri, former India all-rounder.

He helped all of us when he was appointed the manager of the team. He always advised youngsters. I wasn't getting too many runs in the first couple of Tests on the 1976 tour of the West Indies. He asked me what I was doing and I said, `I'm watching every ball, not trying to miss it'. His reply shocked me. `Don't watch all the time, take a break in between. Go into the dressing room, try some skipping, get your eye moving with some exercises.' I did that and it worked immediately. He liked his cricket and certainly gave whatever he earned from it.

— G. R. Vishwanath, former Indian batsman.

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