Sunil Gavaskar has always been known for his farsightedness, one of the qualities that played a role in him becoming the first batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs. On Sunday, at Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, Dadar (East), he didn’t have to look too far to dwell on his early days—the nearby Dadar Union Sporting Club.

Speaking at the release of ex-Mumbai U-22 coach Vilas Godbole’s book, Cricket Coaching and Beyond, Gavaskar remarked: “I got the opportunity to open the innings with him [Godbole] for Dadar Union. We used to talk in between overs and I came to know that he was not only keen on his own batting, but also observed others’ batting and used to tell them the strengths and weaknesses of opposing bowlers.”