Solly Adam – Beyond Borders: 'Gavaskar convinced Sachin to sign with Yorkshire'

One of the first things that great batsman Sachin Tendulkar did in his illustrious career was to sign an overseas contract for the first time with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, one of the most prestigious teams in the English county circuit.

The man responsible behind bringing Tendulkar to Yorkshire is Solly Adam, a passionate Yorkshire cricketer. But Adam himself revealed that it was the real Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar, who helped him convince Tendulkar to sign with Yorkshire.

“I spoke to Sachin, he was in Australia in 1991 and he told me he had a lot of commitments to fulfill and he could not accept the offer. The next thing I do is I call Sunil and he says he will talk to Sachin,” Adam recalled at the book launch of 'Solly Adam – Beyond Boundaries', a biography based on Adam's remarkable life. Did.

“Soon after, Sachin called me and said to me: “I have spoken to Sunny sir and I will come, Soli”. That's Sunil Gavaskar for you. I was only the intermediary but the person who actually brought Sachin to Yorkshire. It was Sunil who convinced me to sign for it.

The book was launched by Gavaskar and former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar on Sunday in the presence of the Cricket Club of India along with Adam's family, friends and several Mumbai cricketers whom Adam had helped to play professional cricket over the past five decades.

Gavaskar in his address called Adam “not a friend, but a soulmate” and Adam is family. He stressed that selfless individuals like Adam are what make cricket the game it is.

“I look forward to reading the book. There is a need to tell what he has done for the cricketers of India and Pakistan. Gavaskar said, I have always said that the game of cricket is very fortunate to have selfless cricket lovers like Soli.

“He never expected anything back from anyone. He just wants to give back to the game. The game of cricket is very fortunate to have people who are equally passionate about playing it and want to contribute to the game in a way that many others can. So Soli Bhai, thank you!”

Vengsarkar narrated a funny incident related to Adam's first meeting with Miandad, while former Bombay and Hyderabad opener Vijay Mohanraj recalled how no one who entered Adam's house would return with an empty stomach. The event was hosted by former Mumbai opening batsman Shishir Hattangadi.

Vara Vantapati's book 'Soli Adam – Beyond Boundaries' can be purchased from Amazon India.