Sunil Gavaskar - Happy Birth Little master

Sunil Gavaskar isn't a blogger. So the world won't know his thoughts on becoming a sexagenarian today. But The Times of India got lucky to
get his thoughts on reaching yet another milestone. Of course, it isn't one that Gavaskar will care much for, knowing his penchant for hundreds. The kind of ton Prof DB Deodhar hit in life, always beckons.

So will it get difficult for Sunny Gavaskar to maintain the three Ds -- discipline, determination, dedication -- virtues which brought him massive success on the field and off it too, in life after 60?

Said Gavaskar, who will spend his birthday seeking the blessings of Satya Sai Baba with his entire family at Puttaparthi, on birthday eve, "These things have been a part and parcel of my life. So it won't be difficult. I have applied these virtues to every aspect of my life, not just cricket."

Now that he has reached 60, Gavaskar's adversaries won't be Wes Hall, John Snow, Andy Roberts or Dennis Lillee, but aches and pains, the battle of the bulge, fading sight and hair loss. How does he fancy facing them? "The battle of the bulge will be the most formidable. When I don't do my regular things like playing badminton and some drills when I am in Mumbai, I tend to put on weight, especially abroad, where the discipline in my food habits, goes for a toss."

When Gavaskar quit cricket, he weighed 74. Today he weighs 78. "My weight fluctuates between 77 and 79. It got to 80-plus on one tour."

As far as eyesight goes, Gavaskar used to pride himself on having 2020 vision. That was when he got them tested in Dubai. Time has caught up. "I am using reading glasses for the last two years." The secret of Gavaskar's good eyesight was he never read anything in a moving vehicle.

Sir Don Bradman, the Gavaskar of an earlier era, had an interesting tale on this eyesight business. When he read about praise from critics that the secret of his greatness was that he saw the ball early, Sir Don decided to check it out and tests revealed his eye reflexes were indeed slower than normal!

Turning sixty-plus means a walking stick beckons sooner rather than later. Does that worry Gavaskar? "I used a walking stick as a style statement on the tour of Australia in 1981. But I batted like an old man in that series and chucked the stick away!" said the legend, who had a trademark swagger, swaying from side to side.

So how have his emotions evolved from being the highest run-getter to being a grand-father? "It's over 20 years since I gave up an active sporting career. My energies have been focussed on life off the field. It has been thoroughly enjoyable and terrific."

The latter is one word is The Little Master uses as regularly as the flick off his toes. He said his constant travel meant less time to spend with the family. "But when I am in town, I spend every evening with my grand-daughter Rhea, who is now four years old."

Any grandpa stories -- ones that he's heard and ones he relates to? Gavaskar ducked that one just like he would do against a Lillee bouncer. He had had a hectic Wednesday while chairing the BCCI's technical committee meeting and the mind was beginning to turn blank.

He couldn't even remember the incident which gave his parents an inkling of his amazing concentration which was instrumental in making him a legend. The story goes that it was mom Meenal's task to narrate not one, but two stories every night to the young Gavaskar. But often she got so tired after the day's chores that narrating the second tale became quite a task. It so happened that she introduced Arjuna in the mythological tale, Ramayana, only to be pulled up by Sunny about what a merry mix-up she was making.

Papa Manohar said his son's memory and recall had their genesis in the bedtime stories.

Celebs are famous for their indulgences and crave for gizmos. Gavaskar's most famous indulgence has been glucose biscuits and he can never have enough of them. Will that continue now that he is 60? "My delayed medicals are due. They will give me an idea."

Gavaskar and his badminton buddy, the late Gautam Thakkar, would take their medicals together every year. It was an unfailing annual ritual in May. Gautam's tests were delayed the last time around. Else, the cancer that claimed him, may have been detected.

As for gadgets, Gavaskar said, "Some of these are very basic. But I don't use cellphones, except when I am abroad."

When in Sri Lanka, in 1995, one had told him of a computer where words appeared on the monitor when you spoke into it. One told him it would make his task as a columnist easier. Gavaskar left that one alone outside the off-stump. Famous for penning his thoughts on a single sheet for his column, Gavaskar does use the laptop these days.

When you age, your temper tends to get the better of you. So who bears the brunt of his anger these days? Wife Pammi or son Rohan? "The reflection in the mirror," said the birthday `boy'.

One age hazard that Gavaskar won't have to worry about is being snubbed for giving unsolicited advice. Gavaskar doesn't proffer any, unless asked.

Also, he doesn't chase dreams any more. He just enjoys living a 'normal' life. 'Normal' for him is living out of a suitcase. From Puttaparthi, he flies to England for the ICC History Conference. A tour of Europe follows and also the US."

Turning 60 won't change his hectic lifestyle. Because Sunny Gavaskar won't behave like a 60-year-old.