The man who revolutionized Test Cricket, and his name is synonymous with character, defiance, and grit, the man, the legend Sunil Gavaskar. Before Sachin Tendulkar, he was the original Little Master, who faced the most intimidating and fierce bowlers of them all, and came out victorious.
Sunil Gavaskar is one of the greatest openers of all time, with the best statistical records. His unswerving concentration, immaculate technicalities with cool-headed batting style is what define him.
During the age when the world feared the ruthless West Indies pacers. It takes a great level of courage and determination to stand and face them without a helmet. Over the 16years of his life, Gavaskar stood the test of time with his calm and composed attitude on the crease and his incredible footwork.
Sunil Gavaskar: The Original “Little Master!”
Born in 1949 to a middle-class Marathi family, he completed his initial schooling in St. Xavier’s High School. Sunil Gavaskar young was titled India’s Best Schoolboy Cricketer Of The Year in 1966 when he was playing for his school.
In that match, he scored about 246*, 85, and 222 for his school. He made his debut with the alumnus team of Bombay’s St.Xavier’s College against Karnataka, but he came back with a duck.
This fired him up against Rajasthan, where he made 114, and centuries in two matches as well. This is what got him selected for the India tour to West Indies in 1970-71.
Career Record
Gavaskar made his mark when he scored a whopping 236* against the mighty West Indies team. He took a keen interest in the West Indies team.
When bowling giants like Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Michael Holding terrorized the crease. Gavaskar stood his ground and played toe to toe with them and made an average of 65.45 against them.
But among all his success, his most controversial World Cup innings was when he scored 36 off 174 balls against England in 1979.
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Test | 125 | 214 | 16 | 10122 | 236* | 51.12 | 34 | 45 | 26 | 108 | 0 | ||
| ODI | 108 | 102 | 14 | 3092 | 103* | 35.13 | 4966 | 62.26 | 1 | 27 | 22 | 0 | |
| FC | 348 | 563 | 61 | 25834 | 340 | 51.46 | 81 | 105 | 293 | 0 | |||
| List A | 151 | 144 | 17 | 4594 | 123 | 36.17 | 5 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Test | 125 | 29 | 380 | 206 | 1 | 1/34 | 1/34 | 206.00 | 3.25 | 380.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 108 | 4 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/10 | 25.00 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 348 | 1987 | 1240 | 22 | 3/43 | 3.74 | 90.3 | 90.0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| List A | 151 | 108 | 81 | 2 | 1/10 | 1/10 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 54.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Umpire & Referee
| Format | Matches | Referee |
| Test | 1 | 1 |
| ODI | 5 | 5 |
Overtaking Bradman’s Test Record
In 1983-84 after India’s series with Pakistan, they were again going to face the West Indies Stallions. During the first test match, Gavaskar’s bat was knocked out of his hand by Malcolm Marchall.
In the second test, Gavaskar gave his reply to Marshall with consecutive fours and sixes. And made a half-century in 37 balls. And went on to score 121 in just 94 balls; this was his 29th test century, which is equal to Don Bradman’s 45-year-old record.
The next three test series were a loss for India; angry fans singled out Gavaskar for who made a golden duck and a 20.
But in the sixth test, he made his 30th test century surpassing Sir Don Bradman’s record. He even made his third double century by 236, which is the highest Test score by aby Indian. He scored a total of 505 runs with an average 50.50 in that series.
Sunil Gavaskar and the 1983 World Cup
To add more accolades to his honor, Sunil Gavaskar was a crucial part of the 83 world cup. That Indian team lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time. Sunil Gavaskar scores in 1983 world cup were 59 runs and 2/12 balls.
A whole nation rallied behind them when they moved towards the world cup finals. It was a proud and nerve-racking moment for every Indian when the Men in Blue were playing against the mighty West Indies.
But our boys came out victorious, and we couldn‘t be any prouder.
Top Records
| 4th | Most Consecutive matches for a team (106) |
| 7th | Most runs in a series by a captain (732) |
| Medal | Hundred in each innings of a match |
| Medal | Hundred and a duck in a match |
| Medal | Carrying bat through completed innings (127*) |
| 3rd | Fastest to 5000 runs (95) |
| 8th | Worst career bowling average (without qualification) (206.00) |
| Medal | Opening the batting and bowling in the same match |
| Medal | 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals |
| 10th | Highest partnership for the second wicket (344*) |
| 4th | Longest individual innings (by balls) (174) |
| 4th | Oldest player to score a maiden hundred (38y 113d) |
| 2nd | Most catches in an innings (4) |
| 4th | Hundreds in consecutive matches (4) |
Post Retirement
After retiring, Sunil Gavaskar became a columnist and a television commentator. He also took multiple roles in the Board of Control for Cricket in India. He was even the chairman of ICC for a brief moment.
Sunil Gavaskar was the most humorous and vocal personality on the field, and he remained that way off the field as well. He remained the most influential Indian cricketer of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)!
Who Is Known As The Little Master Of Cricket?
Sunil Gavaskar is known as the Little Master of cricket or also by the name Sunny. He is one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time.
Don Bradman is the only Australian cricketer who was Knighted for his achievement in cricket. He received his Knighthood in 1949. His batting average in test cricket when he retired was 99.94.
Sunil Gavaskar broke Sir Don Bradman’s 45-year-old test record of 29 centuries by scoring 34 test centuries.
Wrapping Up!
Sunil Gavaskar is a widely admired Indian cricketer, especially against the West Indies. His personality and character, both on and off-field, are impeccable and admired all over.
When he retired in 1987, everyone all over India was shocked. But he put his cricket acumen to use the best way possible.
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