Sunil Gavaskar helps to pace up his pal Leander's recovery

Leander Dias and Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar played many a crisis innings in his decorated cricket career. He played one earlier this year by acting on a distress call from the daughter of his friend Leander Dias, 64, a former Mumbai club cricketer.

Gavaskar was behind the microphone during the last IPL-14 game (Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals in Chennai) on April 20 before the T20 extravaganza was suspended when his cell phone rang. The name Leander Dias showed up at around 10:30 pm. He attended to the missed call as soon as his commentary stint ended.

"Hi Leander, how are you," he asked, soon discovering that it was not Leander, but his daughter on the line. "Sunil uncle, I am Rebecca. Dad is down with Covid-19 and he is extremely bad."

An alarmed Gavaskar sprung into action and requested his cardiologist friend Dr Ajit Desai to do his best to ensure Leander's condition improved.

Dr Ajit Desai

Leander told mid-day recently: "I was unconscious. When I came to my senses the following day, I discovered I was in a hospital bed. I then learnt from Rebecca as to what actually happened the night before.

"The first thought that came to my mind was let me pray to the almighty that a proper decision be taken about my condition by the medical team who treated me. I am highly obliged to the medical team of Dr Ajit Desai, Dr Hemant Thacker and Dr Percy Chibber. I am also extremely thankful to Sunil.

"He has done so many noble gestures and this is another one. It was the power of the almighty Lord, who entered the mind of the supreme legend and said, ‘SMG, attend to that call and you will save a life."

Gavaskar, who is in the UK, told mid-day: "Leander and his family are like family to the Gavaskars. He and his family have showered us with so much love and affection especially to my parents.

"More than me, thanks are due to Dr Ajit Desai and the medical staff looked after him very well and ensured he recovered and left. I am relieved to know he is well now."

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Dias represented National Cricket Club at Cross Maidan on the club circuit apart from Oriental Insurance in inter-office cricket as a medium pace bowler.

With inputs from Clayton Murzello