Gavaskar pays glowing tributes to Rege; says Mumbai cricket was his life

Milind Rege
| Photograph Credit score: The Hindu

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar paid tribute to former Mumbai captain and selector Milind Rege, who handed away in Mumbai on Wednesday.

“He was like my elder brother. We lived a constructing throughout one another and grew up collectively, went to the identical college and school. Performed tennis ball cricket within the compound. He performed Ranji earlier than me and like Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani have completed for Mumbai this yr, Milind all the time got here to the rescue once we, the so-called prime order, failed,” Gavaskar, who met Rege in hospital earlier than leaving for Dubai, stated.

He stated Rege was ok to play for India however (Erapalli) Prasanna and (Srinivas) Venkataraghavan have been round, so he couldn’t break into the staff. Then on the age of 24 he had his first coronary heart assault. Gavaskar additional stated it spoke volumes of Rege’s love for Mumbai cricket and willpower that he made a comeback just a few years later and even captained the staff.

“Final week after he was first admitted to the hospital, after I informed him that Mumbai had taken a small lead in opposition to Haryana, you would see how he instantly perked up. For him, Mumbai cricket was his life. Sure, he had sturdy opinions and so might have upset just a few individuals however no person might query his love and dedication to Mumbai cricket,” Gavaskar stated.

“We have now recognized one another since we have been just a few months previous, that’s why I received’t be capable of bear the sight of his nonetheless physique and received’t return for the funeral. It might sound egocentric on my half however I genuinely received’t be capable of take the final rites of my elder brother.