New Delhi: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, widely known as ‘Sunny’ and ‘little master,’ is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers to have ever represented India. Celebrating his 74th birthday today, Gavaskar left an indelible mark on the gentleman’s game with his exceptional batting skills and numerous records.
Gavaskar rose to prominence during his debut Test series against the formidable West Indies, where he fearlessly faced the fiery Caribbean fast bowlers. His illustrious career spanned from 1971 to 1987, during which he shattered existing batting records while setting new ones, earning him a place among cricketing legends.
Hailing from Mumbai, where he honed his skills on the challenging pitches of the city, Gavaskar showcased his prowess on bouncy Caribbean tracks and the spin-friendly surfaces of the Indian subcontinent with equal ease. A key member of India’s maiden World Cup-winning squad in 1983, Gavaskar held the record for the most centuries in Test cricket for a significant period of time. With more than 10,000 runs to his name, including 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries, Gavaskar bid farewell to his career as a true icon of the sport.
On March 1987, Gavaskar became the first cricketer to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring 10,000 Test runs, a milestone unimaginable at the time. By the time he retired, he had amassed an astonishing 10,122 runs against formidable bowlers such as Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Jeff Thomson, and Denis Lillee.
Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries stood unbroken for a long time until it was surpassed by Sachin Tendulkar in 2005. Among his remarkable achievements, Gavaskar scored 13 centuries in 27 Tests against the West Indies, a team known for their exceptional bowling prowess during the 70s and 80s.
Despite a challenging start against England, where he failed to score a century in his first eight Tests, Gavaskar silenced all doubts with a splendid 101 in India’s first innings of the 1974 Test tour of England. His batting heroics continued as he followed them up with a half-century in the second innings, but unfortunately, India couldn’t avoid defeat in the match.
Gavaskar’s ability to face the fearsome West Indian pace attack comprising Holding, Marshall, Roberts, and Garner was truly remarkable. During his debut series against the West Indies in 1971, he amassed a total of 774 runs and even scored a double century. In the final Test, he scored a century and a double century, including a magnificent 220 runs, helping India secure a historic Test series win in the Caribbean.
Apart from his batting exploits, Gavaskar was also a shrewd fielder and an inspiring leader. He became the first Indian fielder to achieve the milestone of taking 100 catches in Test cricket, ultimately ending his career with an incredible 108 catches.
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