Sunil Gavaskar donates his 'lucky' Dadar Union cap from 1981 MCG win to MCA Cricket Museum

After his state is unveiled at Wankhede Stadium, Legend says he is 'at a loss of words because I'm overwhelmed' MUMBAI: It was an occasion which was bound to get to him. Soon after he and former ICC, BCCI and MCA president Sharad Pawar unveiled their statues at the entrance of the Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum, which was inaugurated in a glittering function at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar revealed what memorabilia of his the former India captain gave to the museum and why. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The MCA cricket museum has a special section on Gavaskar and all the other greats of Mumbai and Indian cricket. Soon after Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik revealed that Gavaskar had donated two of his caps, one he wore for Mumbai and the other for Dadar Union, for the museum, Gavaskar revealed that his gave his Dadar Union cap because it was his "lucky cap" which he wore when legendary allrounder Kapil Dev bowled India to a memorable 59-run win in the Melbourne Test back in Feb 1981 with a dream spell of five for 28 in 16.4 over despite being troubled by a bad knee injury. Kapil's deadly spell had helped India skittle out merely 83. Gavaskar explained that playing for the historic Dadar Union club also taught him that “the game is bigger than the individual, and that you don’t take it for granted.” "I think I need to tell you why (I gave) the Dadar Union cap apart from the fact that Dadar Union taught me so much about the fact that the game is bigger than the individual. That you do not take the game for granted. That you have to keep on giving back to the game. And so, the Dadar Union was that factor. But that cap was worn on the day we beat Australia in 1981 when Kapil came in at Melbourne. “When Kapil came in and took five wickets, he was unwell the previous day. And he took injections and then painkilling injections, and he came on to bowl. And it was a touch-and-go situation. “And I am superstitious, as you probably know from now. And so, therefore, I mean, I had my Dadar Union cap, which was lucky. And that is the reason I wore that cap that day, not the India cap, because it was... they had to score some 60-80 runs and then they had lost (just) three wickets (overnight). And that's why that cap. So, the importance of that cap is not just for Dadar Union. It was worn on the day India beat Australia in 1981 in Melbourne.” Expressing his heart-felt gratitude at the MCA’s gesture of installing his statue at the Wankhede Stadium, Gavaskar said, “I am actually at a loss for words because I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by this unique gesture. It doesn't happen to everybody that there is a statue just outside the museum where there is going to be so much more footfall to see the museum. Every time you enter the museum, to be able to see the statue, so that is something totally, really unique, so I am overwhelmed. I can't thank the MCA for this wonderful gesture. It's a great honour.” Churning with emotions, the 76-year-old paid the ultimate tribute to the MCA, terming the association as his "mother which held his hand from the beginning." "The MCA, I've said in the past (too), is like my mother. (It) Held my hand when I was beginning with cricket at the schools' level, playing for the Mumbai schools, as it was called then and thereafter as well, for the Ranji Trophy etc. It's been absolutely just a privilege and an honour and a blessing to be able to play for Mumbai and I never ever dreamt that it would come to this. I'm just absolutely honored, privileged, blessed and overwhelmed by this," Gavaskar said. Talking about his impression of his statue, which has been inspired by the celebration of his landmark 10,000th run in Test cricket-Gavaskar was the first cricketer to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket-against Pakistan at Ahmedabad in 1987, Gavaskar said, "Well, it just took me back to that particular time. when I got to the 10,000th (Test) run. So, yes, it brought back very good memories." Having taken a tour of the MCA Cricket Museum along with Pawar, Gavaskar revealed that his favourite part in the place was some of the “India blazers” on display. “It was just a rush trip, but I think looking at some of the blazers, because the blazers have changed over time. There are crests that have changed over time. At the start, the three lions were on the crest (of the India blazer). “Now, there's the BCCI logo on the crest. So, to be able to see those things was something very, very touching,” he said. Earlier, speaking on the stage, Gavaskar thanked former India and Mumbai captain Ajit Wadekar for “nurturing him” in the early years of his cricketing career. "This is an honour not just for me, but all those who played with me at different levels including at the international level." "This is all because of them and so I believe that is an honour of everyone. It happens that you are scoring runs, wickets, you need luck and support and the MCA has always supported me. Ajit Wadekar nurtured me. After I made a comeback to Mumbai after two and half years, Ajit Wadekar encouraged me, and he was my captain. "When I was in the Indian team, Wadekar was my captain. If Ajit was here, it would have been great. It would have been great if Milind Rege and Hemant Waingankar would have been here," added Gavaskar. "The Madhya Pradesh (Cricket Association) have also opened a museum but they took four years to build it, but our committee took only six months to complete the museum. Pawar Saahab (Sharad Pawar) suggested that the Museum should be a part of the Mumbai Tourism tour. This is an international standard Museum. It will be open on September 22 for the public," Naik said. Former Union Minister, former ICC, BCCI and MCA President Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar and the other MCA office bearers were present on the occasion.