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Sunil Gavaskar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the sport, played a pivotal role in India’s success during his illustrious playing days. Fondly known as the “Little Master,” Gavaskar showcased exceptional skills and courage against the fearsome West Indian attack of the 1970s and ’80s, leaving an indelible mark on the game. With a remarkable international career spanning 16 years, the 74-year-old contributions to Indian cricket are truly legendary.
Gavaskar’s ability to tackle fast bowling set him apart from his contemporaries. In an era when West Indian pacemen unleashed ferocious spells, the Mumbai-born fearlessly faced them head-on, accumulating a mountain of runs. His technique, concentration, and determination made him one of the most successful batters against express pace. Gavaskar’s proficiency in handling the likes of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner is still revered by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Gavaskar’s numbers speak volumes about his batting prowess. In Test cricket, he played 125 matches and amassed a staggering 10,122 runs, including 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries. His ability to convert starts into big scores was a hallmark of his batting. The Indian stalwart ended his Test career with an average of 51.12, a testament to his consistency and class. In the limited-overs format, he played 108 matches, scoring 3,092 runs with 1 century and 27 fifties, showcasing his adaptability across different formats.
Gavaskar holds stellar records and achieved plenty of milestones during his 16 years long Test career.
1. Most runs in the debut series
Gavaskar’s extraordinary performance in the series against the West Indies in 1971 remains etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts. Throughout the series, the veteran cricketer showcased his immense skill and determination, accumulating a staggering 774 runs in just eight innings. This included an astonishing four centuries and one double century, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest batters of his era.
Notably, Gavaskar’s remarkable feat of scoring 774 runs in a Test series stands as the highest number of runs ever scored by a debutant in a Test series. It is a testament to his exceptional consistency and ability to dominate the opposition’s bowling attack. His contributions were pivotal in India’s historic series victory in the Caribbean, a milestone achievement that marked a turning point in Indian cricket.
Furthermore, the little master holds the record for the most Test centuries against the West Indies, with an impressive tally of 13 centuries from 27 matches. This statistic speaks volumes about his ability to thrive against one of the most formidable bowling line-ups in the history of the game. Gavaskar’s prowess and mastery over the West Indian bowlers further cemented his status as a true batting legend.
2. First player to score 10,000 Test runs
On 7 March 1987, Gavaskar etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first cricketer to surpass the monumental milestone of 10,000 runs in Test matches. This remarkable achievement took place during a Test match against Pakistan, marking a momentous occasion for Gavaskar and Indian cricket as a whole. However, this series was Gavaskar’s last in his illustrious Test career.
By the time Gavaskar bid farewell to the game, he had amassed a staggering total of 10,122 runs in Test cricket. This remarkable feat secured him a place in the record books and solidified his status as one of India’s greatest batters. To this day, Gavaskar remains the third-highest run-scorer for India in Test matches, with only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid surpassing his tally.
3. Most number of Test centuries at the time of retirement
Gavaskar’s contributions to the game of cricket extended beyond his milestone of 10,000 runs. The former Indian skipper also held the record for the most centuries in Test matches for a significant period of time. In his illustrious career spanning 125 Test appearances, the ‘Little Master’ amassed an impressive total of 34 centuries, a feat that was revered by fans and cricketers alike. For years, it seemed as though this record would remain unbreakable. However, in 2005, another legendary batter, Tendulkar, surpassed Gavaskar’s record during a Test match against Sri Lanka. Coincidentally, Gavaskar was in the stadium at that moment, witnessing the baton of greatness being passed on to the next generation of cricketing icons.
4. Most consecutive centuries on two specific cricket grounds
Gavaskar holds a unique record in the world of cricket. He is the only batter to have scored the most consecutive centuries on two specific cricket grounds. Gavaskar achieved the remarkable feat of scoring four consecutive centuries in both Port of Spain, located in Trinidad and Tobago, and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.
5. First-ever Indian player to take 100 catches
Gavaskar’s prowess as a fielder often gets overshadowed by his exceptional batting performances, but his contributions in the field were equally remarkable. In fact, excluding wicketkeepers, the legendary batter was the first Indian outfielder to achieve the milestone of taking 100 catches in Test matches. Throughout his Test career, he held a total of 108 catches, a testament to his agility, anticipation, and extreme vigilance on the field.
It is worth mentioning that Gavaskar’s fielding skills were particularly notable given his primary role as an opening batter. In an era when fielding standards were not as high as they are today, Gavaskar’s commitment to excellence in all facets of the game set him apart. His dedication to improving his fielding skills made him one of the most well-rounded and significant players in the Indian team.
