Atul Wassan freely admits that he can’t find the switch for the water-pump at home and doesn’t have a clue about how to start the generator. What’s more, he has never helped his children Aayushmaan, 12, and Aavantikaa, 10, with their homework.

That’s because all this and more is taken care of by his wife Sonu who makes sure that home-base is covered when cricketer-turned-commentator and businessman Atul is on the move to different parts of the globe.

So, it’s not surprising perhaps that Atul reckons that marrying Sonu, who he met through a friend, was one of the best decisions of his life. The two have been together for 13 years and they’ve seen many ups and downs, especially when Atul’s cricket career was coming to an end.

It was Sonu who nursed him back to health ? both physically and mentally ? when he was dropped from the Indian cricket team after a rib injury. And she backed him to the hilt as he juggled between setting up a factory that made mobile phone accessories and travelling the world as a cricket commentator.

Still, they always make time to travel together. Whether it’s learning the salsa together in Bermuda or watching the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, or driving through Florence and Venice, they make sure that married life is never dull.

Atul:

When I met Sonu, I was in the thick of playing cricket for India. I was apprehensive that marriage at that time might harm my game. But then I realised that that I had to get married one day or the other, and by then, Sonu might not be around.

In hindsight, I think it was the best decision I’ve made in my life. She has been able to change my perspective on life and she has had great strength. I’ll never forget how she helped me through my frustration when I didn’t get picked up for the team following my rib injury in 1992. I recuperated and hoped to rejoin the Indian cricket team but that never happened. That was a very bitter experience at the time. Now, as I look back, the bitterness is gone.

My frustration at that time affected my family, but we learnt to cope with it and emerged stronger. Now, we are like a team ? each having our own responsibilities towards bringing up our family. While she pitches for me on the home front, I go out to do my work.

And we do make time to be together. Last year, we took our kids to Europe and drove around. It was something different. We would stop at different places and once or twice when we reached little lakes, we stopped and took a quick swim. The exercise helped us bond as a family. Now, we are looking forward to our next family trip to Mauritius.

One of the best qualities about Sonu is her ability to accommodate people and put them at ease. She has been able to connect me with my family whom I neglected a bit due to my hectic travelling assignments. She is the link between my own family and me. In a relationship, you should never be possessive. One shouldn’t be overbearing either. I am a traditional kind of guy who likes to come home to a wife at the end of the day. She makes sure our kids do not lack any attention and she also creates opportunities for us to be together with our kids. The challenges have been my lifestyle. I am always up and about working at a manic pace.

To top it all, Sonu is also a fabulous cook. And she also manages everything to do with the house in a way that ensures that I don’t have to worry about stuff ? not the electricity bills, not anything.

Sonu:

At one time I started working by helping out a friend who was in business. At the time, I was a financial adviser but then, I gave it all up because I did not want to neglect my kids. My priority has always been Atul and our children.

Atul is the purest gentleman that I have met in my life. He gives me so much of respect and in turn, I do my very best to respect him as well. I have seen Atul from the time he was playing cricket. When he stopped playing the game, he went through a very low phase. That was just after our marriage. The good thing is that he has a positive attitude in life and bounced back in no time at all. It is this positive attitude that enables him to get the best out of every situation in life. He has worked hard all his life, and I am proud to say that he is a self-made man.

What has kept our relationship going is the trust we have in each other. Over the years, we have grown as individuals and have learned to respect each other even more. I have also realised the need to give space to the other person. Despite being so busy, Atul likes to spend time playing golf. And I have never insisted that he skip his game of golf just to be with me. I think I need to respect him as an individual and let him be. Still, we never fail to take time out for each other.

Sustaining a relationship is also about bringing in new elements. During our recent trip to Bermuda, it was fun learning the salsa together. I believe there should be some zest in the relationship all the time. And I believe in doing little things for the person I love. For me, there’s nothing like cooking his favourite chicken biryani, which he really relishes.

I truly believe in letting my partner fly and not trying to curb him. And when he flies high, I join him there. I would rather be the wind beneath his wings and let him fly. That’s how I see it. That’s my philosophy.