'I want one wicket more than Dad'
Rohan Gavaskar likes to keep his own identity and considers it an honour to share the genes of a legend
18-Aug-2004
Rohan Gavaskar considers it an honour to share the genes of a legend, but he likes to keep his own identity. He talks to Nagraj Gollapudi about being his father's son, and more, in this exclusive chat:
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Last season you picked up your first international wicket with your fifth ball, while your dad took his first wicket with his first ball. Did you miss beating him on that?
Obviously yes, because it was one of the few things that I could have beaten him at. When people ask me about my aims, my response is: "To get three international wickets," as he had two. If I get even halfway close to his overall batting record, I will be very happy.
Obviously yes, because it was one of the few things that I could have beaten him at. When people ask me about my aims, my response is: "To get three international wickets," as he had two. If I get even halfway close to his overall batting record, I will be very happy.
How did the debut match go?
The buzz around the ground was great, and it felt fantastic to walk out with heroes like Sachin, Sourav and Rahul. I told myself that I had been waiting for this day all my life, and now that it had come I had better enjoy it and give my best.
The buzz around the ground was great, and it felt fantastic to walk out with heroes like Sachin, Sourav and Rahul. I told myself that I had been waiting for this day all my life, and now that it had come I had better enjoy it and give my best.
And that catch off Andrew Symonds?
I don't know what the fuss is about [laughs]. You practise fielding and catching a lot, and I have taken similar, maybe more difficult, catches for Bengal, but no-one knows about them because no-one has seen them.
I don't know what the fuss is about [laughs]. You practise fielding and catching a lot, and I have taken similar, maybe more difficult, catches for Bengal, but no-one knows about them because no-one has seen them.
How did you spend your vacation after the season?
I went to Portugal and then England. My original plans were to watch the Euro 2004 soccer quarter-finals and semi-finals, but I had to return to attend the preparatory camps.
I went to Portugal and then England. My original plans were to watch the Euro 2004 soccer quarter-finals and semi-finals, but I had to return to attend the preparatory camps.
What's life like with India A?
It's still a good life. People forget that you are still representing India when you play for India A. Maybe the adulation, fame and money are not the same, but it's still something to be proud of.
It's still a good life. People forget that you are still representing India when you play for India A. Maybe the adulation, fame and money are not the same, but it's still something to be proud of.
Bengal is like a second home to you. Do you speak Bengali, considering you are their captain now?
Cricket-wise Bengal is my first home. I understand a bit of Bengali, though I don't speak it, but everyone speaks Hindi and English, so that's not an issue.
Cricket-wise Bengal is my first home. I understand a bit of Bengali, though I don't speak it, but everyone speaks Hindi and English, so that's not an issue.
You started as a fast bowler, and now you bowl left-arm spin ...
I didn't start off as a fast bowler. My idol was Jeff Thomson and I wanted to be like him. And as a kid you don't want to bowl slow, you want to run in as fast as you can and bowl as fast as you can. When I started playing serious cricket I figured out I didn't have the physique, height and the pace to become a genuine quickie.
I didn't start off as a fast bowler. My idol was Jeff Thomson and I wanted to be like him. And as a kid you don't want to bowl slow, you want to run in as fast as you can and bowl as fast as you can. When I started playing serious cricket I figured out I didn't have the physique, height and the pace to become a genuine quickie.
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Do you still say "What's up, Doc?" a lot like you used to?
That was long way back. Your catch-phrases change with time. Currently I have a catch-word - "peace".
That was long way back. Your catch-phrases change with time. Currently I have a catch-word - "peace".
Do you read much?
Yes, right from a young age I have been a reader. The best cricket book I've read is Sunny Days, with One Day Wonders coming a close second ...
Yes, right from a young age I have been a reader. The best cricket book I've read is Sunny Days, with One Day Wonders coming a close second ...
What's the most memorable thing you've ever heard or read?
Rudyard Kipling's poem If has stuck with me, and his words ring true every time I read them:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,
And treat those two imposters just the same.
These things come in handy when you do well, and when you don't. They put things in perspective. That poem was one of a couple of things I used to carry with me. The other was a letter given to me by my father. It was a letter written by Abraham Lincoln and given to the principal of his son's school.
Rudyard Kipling's poem If has stuck with me, and his words ring true every time I read them:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,
And treat those two imposters just the same.
These things come in handy when you do well, and when you don't. They put things in perspective. That poem was one of a couple of things I used to carry with me. The other was a letter given to me by my father. It was a letter written by Abraham Lincoln and given to the principal of his son's school.
Do people treat you differently in the Indian dressing-room because of your last name?
I think I get enough respect for having played first-class cricket for seven-odd years; I have created a niche for myself. And many cricketers know that my last name has caused a fair number of problems for me, so having overcome that gets me a lot of respect from the players.
I think I get enough respect for having played first-class cricket for seven-odd years; I have created a niche for myself. And many cricketers know that my last name has caused a fair number of problems for me, so having overcome that gets me a lot of respect from the players.
What's the best gift your Dad gave you?
His genes. And his love and understanding - I couldn't have asked for anything else.
His genes. And his love and understanding - I couldn't have asked for anything else.
Can you remember watching any of his innings live?
I was there when he scored his one-day hundred at Nagpur. I also saw his 166 and 172 in Australia. His three best innings for me were his 96 at Bangalore, the 188 in the bicentenary match at Lord's, and his one-day hundred. All three were different, and proved that he was the best batsman in the world.
I was there when he scored his one-day hundred at Nagpur. I also saw his 166 and 172 in Australia. His three best innings for me were his 96 at Bangalore, the 188 in the bicentenary match at Lord's, and his one-day hundred. All three were different, and proved that he was the best batsman in the world.
Have you finally found the balance between being the son of an icon and proving yourself on your own merit?
I'm just trying to prove it to myself, not anyone else. At the end of the day I might achieve what I want to prove and not be happy, but at least I am trying to be the best I can and trying to be as happy as I can be.
I'm just trying to prove it to myself, not anyone else. At the end of the day I might achieve what I want to prove and not be happy, but at least I am trying to be the best I can and trying to be as happy as I can be.
This interview first appeared in the August issue of Wisden Asia Cricket.
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