How Gavaskar Brought Tendulkar To Yorkshire For A County Stint

India-West News Desk

Solly Adam – Beyond Boundaries: A Passionate Cricketer from Yorkshire by Vara Vantapati

MUMBAI – This book meant for cricket fans who like behind the scenes stories, delves into the inspiring life of Solly (Suleman) Adam, a key figure in cricket who has made a lasting impact over nearly four decades in Yorkshire. Born in Gujarat in 1945, Solly has mentored and nurtured hundreds of young talents, helping over 400 cricketers, primarily from South Asia, achieve their dreams in the sport. His contributions to cricket have not only been recognized in England but also by figures such as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who invited him to the Garden Tea Party at Buckingham Palace in 2015.

Among the many milestones in cricket history, one of the most significant was Sachin Tendulkar’s signing with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1992, marking him as the first overseas player to join the prestigious team. Solly Adam was instrumental in this historic move, which fostered greater unity and inclusivity within Yorkshire Cricket.

Adam revealed that it was actually Sunil Gavaskar, the original “Little Master,” who helped persuade Tendulkar to join. “I spoke with Sachin when he was in Australia in 1991. He told me he had too many commitments to accept the offer. So, I called Sunil, and he said he would speak with Sachin,” Adam recalled during the book release event for Solly Adam – Beyond Boundaries.

Soon after, Tendulkar called Adam to confirm his decision, saying, “I spoke with Sunny sir, and I will come, Solly.” This pivotal moment not only changed Tendulkar’s career but also made a profound impact on Yorkshire cricket. During his stint, Tendulkar scored 1,070 runs in 16 matches, including one century and seven half-centuries.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and former Mumbai opener Vijay Mohanraj also have interesting anecdotes in the book. 

The book is available on Amazon.