Gavaskar Reveals Cricket's Most Controversial Moments and the Day He Sat Out Laps 'in Spirit' Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border shared candid memories of cricket’s most talked-about incidents during a conversation on the MidWicket Stories YouTube channel, including the iconic 1981 Melbourne walkoff, a fiery on-field spat with umpire Shakoor Rana, and a string of personal anecdotes spanning three decades. The discussion, hosted by former elite umpire Simon Taufel, offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes drama of cricket’s golden era. Gavaskar recounted the Melbourne walkoff, a moment that remains etched in cricket history. He revealed that wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani inadvertently triggered the event by using the word “walkoff” the day before. When a stumping appeal against Border was referred to the square leg umpire, Kirmani had threatened to walk off himself if the decision was not out. His words stayed with Gavaskar, who later used the term during a critical moment in the same match. Gavaskar, already walking off after being given out LBW to Dennis Lillee, was abused by Australian players, prompting him to turn back and signal to batting partner Chetan Chauhan to leave with him. Border, who was at the crease, admitted the decision against Gavaskar was debatable, calling it “a bit of a dodgy decision.” The conversation also touched on Gavaskar’s tense encounter with umpire Shakoor Rana during a Pakistan tour. Gavaskar recalled how Rana snapped back when he confronted him about a controversial decision. “He said, you don’t tell me what to do,” Gavaskar said, adding that he responded in Hindi with a Punjabi pronunciation of Ben Stokes, a phrase Sarfraz Nawaz had used during the match. The next morning, Rana refused to take the field unless Gavaskar apologized, delaying the start of the match.#sunil_gavaskar #allan_border #simon_taufel #syed_kirmani #shakoor_rana
Midwicket Stories: A Global Cricket Storytelling Initiative Unveiled Midwicket Stories, a groundbreaking global storytelling project dedicated to uncovering the untold narratives of cricket’s greatest legends, officially launched in Mumbai on Sunday. The initiative, conceived by founders Nishant Dayal and Jaya Prasad, brings together iconic cricketers in intimate conversations that highlight friendships, rivalries, and the human side of the sport. The event took place at the ITC Maratha Hotel, with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar serving as the principal advisor and a key figure in the launch. The project began as a simple idea in 2022, evolving into a global movement after three years of meticulous planning and travel across continents. Midwicket Stories has already filmed seven episodes in iconic cricketing destinations, featuring 11 legendary players. Each episode captures candid discussions that blend humor, emotion, and the unique dynamics between athletes from different eras and cultures. The inaugural episode, featuring Gavaskar and former Australia captain Allan Border, was filmed in Sydney during the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and drew over 150 invited guests. The series continues with episodes filmed in Dubai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, London, Chennai, and Adelaide, showcasing pairings such as Gavaskar and Viv Richards, Harbhajan Singh and Chris Gayle, and Zaheer Khan and Matthew Hayden. The eighth episode, recorded in Mumbai, focuses on the legendary rivalry between Harbhajan Singh and Matthew Hayden, which transformed into a warm friendship rooted in mutual respect. This episode is expected to highlight the enduring bond between two cricketers from distinct cricketing cultures. Beyond storytelling, Midwicket Stories carries a strong philanthropic mission.#sunil_gavaskar #midwicket_stories #nishant_dayal #jaya_prasad #allan_border
