Sunil Gavaskar : Not being able to convince selectors to pick Shivalkar and Goel one of my regrets

“One of the regrets I have is that, as the then captain of the Indian team, I could not convince my fellow selectors to pick Goel Saab (Rajinder Goel ) and ‘Paddy’ (Padmakar Shivalkar) to play for India," Gavaskar told The Hindu.

“They were born in the same era as the greatest left-arm bowler I have seen, Mr. Bishan Singh Bedi. Else they too would have played plenty of Tests for India."

Gavaskar was full of praise for the three-member committee of Ramchandra Guha, Diana Edulji and N. Ram for picking Padmakar Shivalkar and Rajinder Goel for the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. Shanta Rangaswamy will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to women's cricket in India, while V.V. Kumar and the late Ramakant Desai have been selected for special awards.

Shivalkar, Goel, and Rangaswamy will receive an amount of ₹25 lakh each, while Kumar and Desai's family will receive ₹15 lakh each.

“Congratulations to the committee that chose this year’s winners and special awards. The choice reflects the sound thinking that went into the decision-making. All the winners are special cricketers who gave so much to Indian cricket and made it so much enjoyable," Gavaskar said.

“Their skills were absolutely terrific, and watching them in action was an absolute delight.”

“Ramakant Desai and V.V. Kumar, they were such wonderful bowlers. More importantly, they were modest to the core and hardly if ever, spoke about their times.

“VV is still with us, and I’m sure he will be as well-groomed in the evening as he always was on and off the field.

“Shantha is another deserving choice. She was a titan when she played and her deeds are written in bold letters in the history of Indian women’s cricket.

“I only hope that, on the awards evening, the winners will be presented their awards not just by the administrators, but also by the many distinguished former players who will attend for that will surely make it even more memorable for the awardees.”

It wasn't just Gavaskar who came out praising the two legends of Indian first-class cricket. Bishan Bedi said that all the accolades coming their way were well deserved and that the duo deserved it more than anyone else in India.

“I’m very happy for them. They had what makes a good spinner —technique and temperament. I really used to revere them for these two qualities. They had amazing patience too. They had in abundance the humility that marks a great sportsman," Bedi said.

"To me, they have been two beautiful but unsung artists. They never had any rivalry, no bitterness. I think it was a matter of getting a break. I was fortunate to get one. Today’s cricketers just can’t fathom their selfless service to the game. Their First Class career is an example for all to follow. Paddy and Goel saab deserve more than anyone.”