A “Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar” for Sunil Gavaskar in San Jose, California

It's been almost 37 years since he retired from the game, but Sunil Gavaskar continues to get tremendous recognition both in India and abroad. The cricket legend, who first stormed the cricketing world with a magnificent show with the bat in his debut series against the West Indies in 1971, has a massive fan following across the cricketing world and beyond.

In recognition of his yeoman service to cricket for the last 50 years and more, the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM) in the USA has chosen him for the Jeevan Puraskar, an award that will be conferred upon him at a four-day function in San Jose, California from June 27 to 30. The BMM represents 54 marathi organisations in North America.

In a video bmm have posted on Instagram, Gavaskar says, “I’m delighted to know that I’m being honoured with the Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar at the BMM convention in San Jose between June 27-30. Its also a wonderful opportunity for me to meet up with the Maharashtrian community in the USA, as well as the neighbouring countries, and to be able to interact with them about my life and my career. Hopefully, it will also be a double celebration of sorts, with India winning the T20 World Cup in USA in June, and so, it should be great fun there. I hope to catch up with you, look forward to see you all at the convention in San Jose.”

Since he quit the game as a player, Gavaskar has virtually become the voice of India cricket through his peerless commentary. The 74-year-old is involved with charity work, mainly through the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, and also helps needy sportspersons through his CHAMPS foundation .The BMM’s biennial event in California is likely to be attended by prominent personalities from India and people from Maharashtra who have settled in the USA. During the four-day gathering, Gavaskar, who will be in the USA to commentate in the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in New York and Florida, will give a speech and interact with the audience in Marathi and English.