3 Ds defined my success: Gavaskar

VISAKHAPATNAM: It was an occasion to remember for cricke t legend Sunil Gavaskar, here in city, as commentator for Indian Premier League-V, who was felicitated by Andhra university at a function organised to mark the silver jubilee year of his receiving the honorary doctorate of Kreeda Prapoorna.In his felicitation speech, Gavaskar stressed the importance of the three Ds - dedication, determination and discipline. “Dedication towards one’s profession and determination not to give up in spite of receiving setbacks are the facts of life. These two when coupled with discipline to mould one’s approach will pave way for success,” he said. Incidentally, ‘Little Master’ is the first sportsperson to receive an honorary doctorate from AU and it is his first such degree.“Always give your best efforts so at the end of the day, you derive self-satisfaction first. Sooner or later, success would come your way,” he advised students. On the occasion, Gavaskar reminisced his initial days when he received magnificent support from the people for his uphill struggle. “I have been telling youngsters that as long as we give 100 per cent to the game, people keep appreciating us, which was proved in my case.” But then, he maintains that ‘luck’ did play a crucial role in all his achievements and cited the case of K Jayantilal, who played in a Test against West Indies in 1971 series. “Jayantilal was considered the best to play short ball but he was caught brilliantly by Gary Sobers in the first Test in West Indies, when I could not play due to an injury. India did not bat in the second innings after enforcing follow on. I was back for the second Test and Sobers, considered as a good fielder, floored a simple catch when on 12. I went on to make 65 and continued to score well during the rest of tour,” he narrated the tale.AU former rector and veteran sports commentator A Prasanna Kumar remembered Prof Ramakrishna Rao who was the reason behind conferring Kreeda Prapoorna upon Gavaskar, while former vice-chancellor K Ramakrishna Rao, under whose tenure Gavaskar received the honorary doctorate, heaped praises on him for excelling as a good cricketer, commentator and a human being.