India will soon be engulfed by the euphoria of World Cup 2023. This tournament, since its inception in 1975, has established itself, and a team winning it is recognised as the world champion. Like the Olympics and World Cup football, it is held once in four years, and, therefore, it seems to have the same aura as those revered sporting events.
I, Yajurvindra Singh, have had the pet name "Sunny" since birth. I was a member of the Indian World Cup side in 1979. My roommate on that tour was none other than one of the greatest batsmen ever to play the game, Sunil Gavaskar. In the cricketing world, he was nicknamed "Sunny" and hence the battle of an identity issue emerged between us. His claim of the letter 'U' in Sunny and not 'O' was one that we, even today, are unable to find an acceptable solution to. This dispute has involved many intellectuals and even the well-read Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Sanity and maturity finally took over and we have now compromised and settled this peacefully, as of now. This was necessary, as we both live in the same building in Mumbai.
The one passion that we both have is cricket and, especially, Indian cricket. Sunny 'G' and I are like chalk and cheese. He is meticulously organised and well-structured in every which way. For him, everything has to be well thought out, with a definite meaning/purpose to it. I live for the moment and enjoy a bit of uncertainty that goes with it.
A whiff of nostalgia with the World Cup round the corner overcame me and a tête-à-tête with my old room partner seemed an ideal way to remember India's journey over the past 12 editions of the World Cup.
Sunny 'G' must be one of the only few who has been involved in every World Cup since its inception, a period of 48 years. He has been involved as a player, commentator and as an ICC representative, being part of their Cricket Committee.
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