In focus Cricketers go down memory lane at Man Singh’s house
Even as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team was engaged in a cricketing battle out there on the ground against the Michael Clarke’s Aussies in the second Test in Hyderabad, two former India captains – Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev – took time off from their busy schedule as TVv commentators to attend a get-together hosted by P.R. Man Singh at his residence on Sunday last.
The occasion was indeed a trip down memory lane. Especially reviving memories of the historic 1983 World Cup triumph by Indian team led by Kapil Dev.
And strengthening this opinion was the presence of Gavaskar and also one of the star performers of that Cup – Roger Binny.
And to everybody’s delight, former Ranji cricketer Prasanna Kumar of Andhra Bank got a huge cake which symbolises that memorable triumph. “It looks pretty impressive. How did you manage this?” was the curious query from Sanjay Manjrekar when he saw the entire winning team was engraved on the cake..
Kapil said that they can never say no to Man Singh. “His unbridled passion for the sport is one of those things which keeps the game going. How can we ever forget those wonderful three weeks in England when he played a major part in Indian victory,” he remarked.
The visit also marked the guests having a close look at the magnificent ‘cricket museum’ which Man Singh has set up on the second floor of his residence.
“This is a wonderful collection. It revives so many memories of the past,” felt both Binny and Manjrekar.
Harsha Bhogle was also there, recalling his cricketing days in the City and reeling out names of some of the quality players who could not go on to play for India.
“For me it is a passion and I cannot think of a day without cricket,” says a smiling Man Singh.
V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
