Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar is an Indian cricket legend who holds a special place in the hearts of cricket followers across the world. Fondly known as the ‘Little Master’ or ‘Sunny’, he is widely acknowledged as one of the finest opening batsmen in the history of the sport. Born on July 10, 1949, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Gavaskar made his debut for India against the West Indies in 1971, and went on to have an illustrious career that spanned 16 years.

Gavaskar was a classical batsman with impeccable technique, who had the ability to play long innings and bat out entire days. He was a master of spin bowling and was also comfortable against fast bowlers, which made him a complete batsman. Throughout his career, he scored 34 Test centuries, which was a world record at the time of his retirement. His innings of 166 not out against the West Indies at Bridgetown in 1971 is still regarded as one of the greatest fighting innings in the history of the game.

Apart from his batting prowess, Gavaskar was known for his leadership qualities. He captained India in 47 Tests and India remained undefeated in the 11 Test series under his captaincy. He also played a crucial role in India’s first-ever series victory in England in 1971.

After his retirement from cricket, Gavaskar contributed to the sport as a commentator and analyst, and was well known for his insightful observations and analysis. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

Gavaskar’s contribution to Indian cricket has been immense and he remains a source of inspiration for many young cricketers. His legacy is one of excellence and professionalism, and his name will always be synonymous with Indian cricket.