File image of Sunil Gavaskar.© X (Twitter)

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar extended birthday wishes to compatriot and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who turned 75 on Wednesday, saying that he served as an inspiration to the future generations of Indian cricket and it owes a lot to him for his services. Gavaskar, one of the best Test batters produced by India and the first man ever to reach 10,000 Test runs, turned 75 on Wednesday. Tendulkar hailed Gavaskar as one of his heroes and for becoming “younger and energetic” day by day, and still being involved passionately with cricket.

Taking to X, Sachin wrote about his idol and “one of his special batting heroes”, “My special wishes to one of my special batting heroes, Mr. Sunil Gavaskar. You’ve crossed 75 years, my prayers for a long and healthy life. The more batters spend time at the crease, the more free-flowing they become. You are no different. You are becoming younger and more energetic by the day! To see you being as involved and as enthusiastic today about cricket, reflects how much you love the game. When an opener sets a good foundation, it becomes easy for rest of the batting order. We all were inspired by you, and in turn were able to inspire the next generation. Indian cricket owes a lot for your services, may you continue being involved with our beautiful game. Happy birthday and I’ll see you soon!”

My special wishes to one of my special batting heroes, Mr. Sunil Gavaskar. You’ve crossed 75 years, my prayers for a long and healthy life.

The more batters spend time at the crease, the more free-flowing they become. You are no different. You are becoming younger and more… pic.twitter.com/4kjngcHdGi

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 10, 2024

Gavaskar, also known as the ‘Little Master’ made his international debut for India in 1971 and went on to represent India till 1987. He was the best Test batter of his era, scoring 10,122 runs in 125 matches at an average of 51.12, with 34 centuries and 45 fifties and best score of 236*. The star batter also holds the record for most runs in a Test series as a debutant, scoring 774 runs against West Indies in a four-Test series at an average of 154.80, with four centuries and three fifties. Gavaskar has incredible statistics against West Indies, scoring 2,749 runs in 27 Tests and 48 innings at an average of 65.45, with 13 centuries and seven fifties. His best score was 236*.

Several of his historic and heroic innings in cricket’s longest and, arguably, the toughest format, came between 1971 and 1987. Through his many memorable knocks, which came on some of the least hospitable surfaces, got him among the pantheon of legends.

A distinguished member of India’s maiden World Cup-winning squad of 1983, Gahaskar once held the record for scoring the most centuries in Tests. He was also the member of the Team India which won the first Asia Cup in 1984 and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985.

Not counting wicketkeepers, he was the first Indian fielder to have achieved the milestone of a century of catches in Test cricket. For the record, he took an incredible 108 catches in his Test career.

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaska
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Q: Sunil Gavaskar is the only player to have scored a century in the first innings and a double century in the second innings. Against whom and in which ground did he achieve this remarkable feat?

A: West Indies, Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, 1971

Q: In which ground did Gavaskar score his only century in ODIs and against whom?

A: Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur vs New Zealand, 1987 World Cup

Q: For which English County did Gavaskar play as their overseas cricketer in the year 1980?

A: Somerset

Q: In his test career spanning 125 tests and 198 dismissals, Gavaskar has been dismissed run out only 5 times and stumped only 2 times. Interestingly, in one series he got out of these two dismissals in successive test matches. Who was the opposition?

A: Sri Lanka in 1985

Q: Which bowler has dismissed the maestro most times in tests?

A: Derek Underwood – 12 times

Q: Gavaskar has been involved in triple century partnership in tests once. Who was his partner?

A: 344* with Dillip Vengsarkar Vs. West Indies, Kolkata, 1978

Q: Identify the batsman with whom Gavaskar has been involved in 4 century partnerships in ODIs, most with any partner?

A: Mohammad Azharuddin

It is difficult to be consistently relevant in an ever-evolving world. Unless, of course, one happens to be Sunil Gavaskar, who is celebrating the completion of 75 eventful summers in his life on Wednesday. It’s tough for today’s young cricket fans, who have grown up watching IPL big hits, to truly understand the significance of Gavaskar, as often they have a shrunken image of him — a former-cricketer-turned-commentator — in their mind.

Now, there are too many of them. Or, perhaps, it’s the recency bias.

However, Gavaskar, who tackled some of the meanest pace bowlers to have walked on earth, remains a colossus in the minds of his contemporaries, who fondly recall the greatness of the right-hand great.

“Gavaskar made his debut two years after my retirement. But we have already been told by (late) Ajit Wadekar about a talented Bombay boy who could make a lot of runs for India. Didn’t he make a lot of runs,” said former India batter Chandu Borde.

So, how did Gavaskar tame those fearsome quicks from the West Indies, right from his first series in 1971? “It’s his concentration and a water-tight technique. I have not seen a better stance than that of him, and he watched the ball so closely. Of course, he could play most of the shots but used them wisely. He was a very practical batsman, knew what to do when,” said Borde.

Gavaskar scored 774 runs in that series, helping India conquer the West Indies 1-0. ‘Lord Relator’ immortalised that triumph with a Calypso dedicated to the master batsman.

“It was Gavaskar. De real master. Just like a wall. We couldn’t out Gavaskar at all, not at all,” he wrote, and to this day it remains a goosebump-inducing number.

Gavaskar is often remembered for his mastery over pacers such as Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, and Imran Khan, but another less talked about aspect of his batting was the way he nullified spinners.

Gavaskar, who once rated England’s Derek Underwood as the toughest spinner he faced, outfoxed some of the wily tweakers of his generation like Abdul Qadir, Tauseef Ahmed from Pakistan and England’s John Emburey.

“Sunny had brilliant footwork, and could use soft hands (against spin). Since he used to watch the ball very closely, he could play spinners late and he never really got into awkward positions against them,” recalled former India middle-order batter Mohinder Amarnath, himself a slayer of pacers in the 80s.

But occasionally, he wore the enforcer’s garb too.

He creamed Marshall for a six to equal the then world record of 29 Test hundreds held by the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.

In fact, Gavaskar’s 103, his lone ODI century, against New Zealand during the 1987 World Cup, came off 88 balls.

“Perhaps, the need of that time forced Gavaskar to go defensive while playing for India. But he could always dominate attacks and he often did that in the domestic circuit. He could pull and hook with as much ease as anyone else,” says former Mumbai batter Milind Regge.

Gavaskar carried that versatility and adaptability to the commentary box as well, and added a touch of subtle humour to it.

Rewind to the way he teased former England pacer Jade Dernbach, who carried the reputation of an excellent death over bowler, after he was carted around by Indian batters in a T20I.

“Dernbach is a death overs specialist, isn’t it?” he mischievously asked former England batter-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan with a soft chuckle.

“Sunny bhai is always a chirpy presence in the box. There is no dull moment around him. He is a bundle of anecdotes and never really afraid to speak his mind,” tells a former cricketer, who has spent several hours of airtime with Gavaskar.

“He has strong opinions about cricketing matters, and supports Indian cricket quite vociferously. Perhaps, it comes from the time he played cricket.

“You know, the time when world cricket was dominated by England and Australia. Now, he wants to see the wheel come to a full circle,” he averred.

It indeed has come full circle for Gavaskar as well.

Sunil Gavaskar, who turned 75 on Wednesday, batted against some great fast bowlers without a helmet.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

For a man, who loved his centuries, Wednesday will usher in a 75. Sunil Gavaskar, one of cricket’s greatest batters, would rather take it one day at a time, just like he did while countering speed merchants and wily spinners, dealing with them one delivery at a time.

The former India captain, the first man to scale ‘Mount 10000’ in Tests, will clock 75 summers and remains connected to the willow-game. This is an umbilical cord he retains, first as a player till he bowed out in 1987, and now as a broadcaster.

Recency bias

Many in the younger generation, who have only seen him as a commentator, may tend to associate him entirely with that role. A reality that even Richie Benaud had to deal with. May be recency bias is at play or in these days of abbreviated words, Instagram reels and two-minute noodles, memory is short.

Test opener Sunil Gavaskar came out of retirement to appear in the ‘Venkat’ benefit match at Chepauk, while the West Indian skipper Viv Richards donned the ‘keeper’s gloves at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Madras on January 27, 1988.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

But for those who have seen him bat, Gavaskar was about eternity at the crease. In this era of flash-and-dash right from the openers through the middle-order to the finishers, he was that old-fashioned fixed deposit in a reputed bank.

Money was safe and hope was forever. When he batted with fellow openers like the late Chetan Chauhan, Anshuman Gaekwad or K. Srikkanth, and middle-order stalwarts like G.R. Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Mohinder Amarnath, India knew it had a chance, especially with all-rounder Kapil Dev stepping in too.

S.L. Khurana, Governor of Tamil Nadu greets Sunil Gavaskar on the eve of 100th cricket Test match as Kapil Dev looks on.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

A straight bat and a steely resolve was second nature to Gavaskar. One of the few along with the great Viv Richards to bat without a helmet, the opener did experiment with a skull-cap briefly towards the twilight of his career. However, the recurrent image about him is the floppy hat and a bat seemingly broad enough to guard a fortress!

The numbers were staggering at the time when he retired. 10,122 Test runs and 34 hundreds. A yield of 3092 in ODIs and a lone ton. And an overall First Class accumulation of 25,834. The Test statistic places Gavaskar in the 13th spot while fellow Mumbaikar Sachin Tendulkar occupies the throne.

When the mood took over, Gavaskar could take apart the most dangerous attacks. He did it once in Delhi to equal the then world record of 29 Test centuries held by Sir Don Bradman.

File picture of Sunil Gavaskar during the Sportstar Aces Award 2024 held in Mumbai
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI

This was 1983 and he was hooking Malcolm Marshall and when he got his ton, the star had no clue until non-striker Vengsarkar said: “Bleddy hell, you did it.”

Fountain of anecdotes

Now busy as a commentator, Gavaskar is often the last word on batsmanship. Off the field, he is a fountain of anecdotes, has an impish sense of humour, does a lot for charity, especially for ageing sportspersons, and tends to get reverential while talking about Prakash Padukone because badminton is a favourite sport. Happy birthday Master, and may the years ahead be filled with more cricketing magic.

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar lauded Rohit Sharma for leading the side to winning the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, saying that the opener is a people’s captain, just like how MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev were. Rohit had been a member of India winning 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. As a captain, he finished as runners-up in 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship. But Rohit finally got his date with destiny when India beat South Africa by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval last month.

Shortly after announcing his T20I retirement, Rohit called the 2024 T20 World Cup win, which India won as an unbeaten team in the competition, as the greatest achievement of his playing career. “Rohit Sharma joins those other two cricketing giants, Kapil Dev and Dhoni in captaining India to a World Cup trophy. Like the duo were, Rohit is also a people’s captain.

“Well liked, not only by his team members, but by the entire Indian cricketing community. The cricket fans also love his laconic style of leadership and tactically, he is as good as the sharpest in the game. Some of his moves can surprise you and make you scratch your head as to the reason, but the end result is more often than not exactly what the team needed at that moment,” wrote Gavaskar in his column for mid-day on Sunday.

In the tournament, Rohit amassed 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70, and took on the responsibility of giving India fast starts with the bat – with his fifties against Australia and England being crucial.

“He led from the front, showing a complete disregard for personal milestones and instead looked to get the team off to a flying start every time. India are blessed to have him as their captain,” added Gavaskar.

He also lauded the captain-coach combination of Rohit and Rahul Dravid leading India to elusive trophy glory. “While the players naturally took all the limelight as they should, there was the support staff led by the one and only Rahul Dravid who also had a massive role to play in the victory. What a terrific combo the two Rs made. Totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India.”

India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title© AFP

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar said it would be apt if Rahul Dravid is conferred with the Bharat Ratna by the Indian government. Dravid recently wrapped up his two and a half year coaching stint with the Indian team through 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies. Under his coaching, India also finished up as runners-up in 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and 2023 World Test Championship final, apart from winning Asia Cup in the same year. Dravid, the former India captain who amassed 24,177 runs in international cricket, had also been NCA head of cricket and even won 2018 U19 World Cup as the head coach.

“It would be apt if the Government of India honours him with the Bharat Ratna, for that’s what he has truly been. Great player and captain of the country with famous away series wins in the West Indies when wins there really meant something and also win in England being only among the three Indian captains to have won a Test match series there, a wonderful talent groomer in his earlier role of the chairman of the National Cricket Academy and then as coach of the senior team.

“Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was given to some leaders who had done yeoman service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they wielded was mostly restricted to their party and to the part of the country where they came from.

“Dravid’s achievements have given joy across all party lines and across caste, creed, communities and brought untold happiness to the whole country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give. C’mon everybody, please join me in asking the Government to recognise one of the greatest sons of India. Bharat Ratna, Rahul Sharad Dravid. Sounds terrific, doesn’t it?” wrote Gavaskar in his column for Mid-Day on Sunday.

He also lauded Dravid’s selfless attitude in his playing days, which has continued in his time as the head coach of the Indian team. “During the time he was playing, Dravid did anything that was asked of him. When an Indian wicket fell around the dying minutes of the day’s play, he would walk out to bat.

“Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn’t play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition.

“That’s the team-oriented attitude that he inculcated in the team and if that continues, then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation,” concluded Gavaskar.

Suryakumar Yadav in action for India against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024 final© AFP