Club cricket is the best form of cricket, says Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar called club cricket the best form of the game

Irrespective of the changes that have taken place in the realm of cricket, Sunil Gavaskar rates club cricket as the best form of cricket today. The cricket icon believes that players can learn a lot from club cricket.

“Club cricket is the best form of cricket. It teaches one to be friends with your rivals even as you compete hard with them on the ground,” Gavaskar said.

The 64-year-old Gavaskar went on to state that it is a player’s performance in club cricket that attracts attention of the Ranji Trophy selectors.”From Ranji, you go on to play Duleep Trophy and then international cricket,” he said at a ceremony hosted to felicitate him.

Gavaskar, who is the role model to many, sent out a message for the aspiring cricketers. He said, “You must aim to achieve what your predecessors have failed to achieve. In your case, it would mean you should try your best to win the Ranji Trophy for the Odisha team, something that has not been achieved yet.”

“Similarly, if you go on to play international cricket, your aim should be to beat top teams like England and Australia 4-0 or 5-0 on their home turf,” he said. He also advised the young cricketers to make sure they wear the right shoes. “If your shoes are not right, it would affect every aspect of your cricket ? batting, bowling and fielding,” he added.

Commenting on the dwindling importance given to sports in schools, colleges and homes, the former Indian batsman requested all parents and guardians to encourage cricket.”Cricket teaches some of the finest values in life,” he said.

Gavaskar went on to praise IPL chairman, Odisha’s Ranjib Biswal for his remarkable job that he had done. The chief guest of the occasion, Prakash Mishra on the other hand expressed his desire of wanting Gavaskar to be appointed as the full time head of BCCI.

Sports and Youth Affairs secretary Saswat Mishra, City police Commissioner R P Sharma and coach Kishor Mania were some of the other dignitaries present on the occasion.