States » SouthPosted at: Sep 19 2026 7:03PM


Gavaskar: Seeing tears of joy after child’s heart surgery greater than scoring double century

Bengaluru, Sept 19 (UNI) Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday said witnessing the tears of joy on parents' faces after their child's successful heart surgery gives him greater satisfaction than scoring a double century on the cricket field.
“When you see the expression change from hopelessness and grief to tears of joy after a successful surgery, it gives me greater pleasure than scoring a double century. We are not only giving these children a healthy life but also looking after their education," he said.
Speaking at an "An Evening with Legends: Compassion in Action”, a special gathering, Gavaskar said his association with free healthcare for children had made his “third innings” the most fulfilling phase of his life.
“When the doctors come out and tell the parents that the surgery has been successful and the child is going to be fine, changing that expression from hopelessness and grief to tears of joy gives me greater pleasure than scoring a double century,” he said.
Gavaskar said children born with congenital heart defects were being given completely free surgeries at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani hospitals, providing them with what he described as a “second life”.
He said the hospitals have recorded a success rate of more than 99 per cent, while no fee was charged for the surgeries. Most of the beneficiaries, he said, came from financially disadvantaged families and rural areas.
“For a daily wager, if they miss a day's work, the whole family can go hungry,” Gavaskar said, highlighting the circumstances faced by many parents seeking treatment for their children.
He said the experience had given him a different perspective on achievement, particularly after spending 17 years representing India in Test, ODI and T20 cricket.
Gavaskar said his “third innings” also allowed him to remain connected with cricket through the media, studio programmes and brands, but his work in healthcare and social service “resonates” with him the most.
Drawing from cricket, he said an individual could not achieve success without supporting others.
“If I am batting on 70 or 80 and seven wickets are gone, I have to look after numbers nine, 10 and 11,” he said, explaining how a senior player must help less accomplished teammates contribute to the team's cause.
He said the same principle should apply to society, with those who are more fortunate helping people who need support.
“That is what society is for — to serve the unserved and uplift those who need it. That is what our mission is,” Gavaskar said.
He said the One World One Family initiative was serving more than 10 million children every day across 25 states and four union Territories through programmes covering healthcare, nutrition and education.
Gavaskar said the network included super-specialty hospitals, including a 600-bed facility at Muddenahalli, as well as a medical college, with services provided free of cost.
He said his journey from receiving a second chance in his debut Test to helping children receive a second chance at life had made his association with the initiative particularly meaningful.
UNI BDN
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