I had better technique than Gavaskar: Boycott
Playing by the text-book
Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott claims that his technique was better than Sunil Gavaskar. “While we were similar in many respects, in terms of technique, I consider myself superior to Sunil,” Boycott wrote in new book ‘Sunil Gavaskar: the Little Master Batter.’
“We have often been compared because we were similar in so many ways – we were great openers, and once in, it was very difficult to get us out. But I think I had the better technique, even if by just half a percentage point,” Boycott wrote.
Boycott’s Yorkshire teammate “Dickie” Bird feels otherwise. “There is no doubt that he has a great record, but compared to Sunny, he was just a boy in the cot,” he said.
To many, the debate is futile. “How does technique matter if you can score as much as the two of them did,” said Ravi Shastri, himself a master of technique. “Both were excellent forward as well as back, and they had an impeccable sense of timing. Often times the only way to get them out was by handling-the-ball. I wish I had their stamina and sheer power of concentration.”
Boycott is well known for his attraction to Shilpa Shetty, the stunning Bollywood actress better known for her show of dignity in the face of violent abuse. “I must admit I like the attention he gives me,” she blushed. “I have been flung off tall buildings, made to dance on a yacht disguised as a leopard, but he makes me do none of that – he just makes me feel special for being me.”
“Gavaskar was a special talent. While he lacked the flamboyance of a Kapil Dev, he was smooth as silk when in form. A bit like Rajesh Khanna,” said historian Ramchandra Guha. ”Meanwhile Boycott was great at four-play, but was no good at the quickies.”
“Boycott is just a loud-mouth and is completely clueless,” said Navjot Sidhu. “He couldn’t bell a cat if it came with an instruction manual.”
TJ endorses Sidhu’s view. Boycott has no idea. Gavaskar was in a league of his own, just ask the dusky beauties from the Caribbean. They don’t call him Sunil Gave-a-scar for nothing.
Image courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mukteswar_temple.jpg
