A shining name in the history of Indian cricket, Sunil Gavaskar, known to the world as the ‘Little Master’, is celebrating his 76th birthday today.
Sports News: The ‘Little Master’ of Indian cricket and legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar is celebrating his 76th birthday today. His name is counted among the few great batsmen in cricket history who, with their technique, concentration, and courage, not only took Indian cricket to new heights but also made the country proud in international cricket.
Gavaskar's star shone in one of cricket's greatest eras
Sunil Gavaskar batted in an era when bowlers dominated, especially against the dangerous pace attacks of countries like West Indies, Australia, and England. He began his Test career against the West Indies in 1971 and shocked the cricket world by scoring 774 runs in his very first series. His average in this series was 154.80, which remains a record for the most runs scored in any debut series to this day.
The first batsman to cross the 10,000-run mark in Tests
Gavaskar played 125 Test matches in his 16-year career and scored 10,122 runs. He scored 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries in Tests. He became the first batsman in the world to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. He set this record at a time when batting was much more challenging than it is today.
One of his most special achievements is — being the only batsman in the world to score a double century in all four innings of a Test match. This shows that he had the ability to score runs in every situation.
Contribution in ODIs as well, part of the World Cup-winning team
Although Gavaskar was not as successful in One Day International (ODI) cricket, he still represented India in 108 ODIs and was also a part of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 1983. He scored 3 half-centuries in ODIs and often steadied the team with his sensible batting. Gavaskar was not just a batsman, but also a cricket thinker.
He strengthened discipline, strategy, and confidence in the Indian team. He always stood by the team, whether it was a difficult time or historic victories. His influence can still be felt in Indian cricket today. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, many legends consider him a source of inspiration.
Still connected to the sport after retirement
After retiring in 1987, Gavaskar began his second innings as a commentator and cricket analyst. His very clear, impartial, and forthright opinions are still a topic of discussion among cricket lovers today. He is not only an expert in match analysis but also actively guides young players.
Many of his records still stand
Many records set by Gavaskar still stand today:
- Most runs in a debut Test series (774 runs)
- The only batsman to score a double century in all four innings of a Test
- The first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Tests
These figures make it clear that Gavaskar's stature is not limited to the record books, but his contribution is a part of the basic structure of Indian cricket. On the occasion of Sunil Gavaskar's 76th birthday, all the legends, players, and fans of the cricket world have wished him well. #HappyBirthdayLittleMaster is trending on social media, where people are sharing his historic shots, memorable innings, and candid commentary.
