Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, affectionately known as the "Little Master," celebrated his 76th birthday on Thursday, July 10. The former India captain is a pioneer of Test cricket, having scored over 10,000 runs in his career. He is considered one of the early superheroes of Indian cricket and was also a part of the Indian team which won the 1983 World Cup at Lord's.
A poignant moment from his illustrious career, and indeed his "finest hour," was the 1971 tour of the West Indies. It was here that a 21-year-old Gavaskar announced his arrival on the world stage, amassing an astonishing 774 runs in the Test series despite missing the first match. This record-breaking feat, which he humbly admitted "exceeded my own expectations and that too by a country mile," remains a benchmark, with Shubman Gill currently on tour in England, potentially eyeing to eclipse it.
His remarkable talent was foreshadowed by an 82 in a warm-up game in St. Kitts, where, as K.N. Prabhu observed, Gavaskar showcased a "free-flowing side" and the ability to bat "like a gay cavalier."
Reflecting on his Test debut, Gavaskar, initially modest given the 54 years that have passed, shared a fascinating anecdote. Vijay Merchant, the chairman of selectors, unexpectedly singled him out before the tour as the player expected to score heavily. This instilled both excitement and apprehension in the young Gavaskar, who worried about his readiness, having bypassed the Duleep Trophy, a crucial proving ground for top players at the time.
However, Trinidad provided the emphatic answer. His scores of 65 and 67 not out in his debut Test not only validated his prodigious talent but signalled India's discovery of Merchant's true successor, an all-time great in the making. Guiding India to victory with Abid Ali, Gavaskar recalled the winning shot – a short delivery from leg-spinner Arthur Barrett dispatched to the mid-wicket fence.
The elation of scoring the winning runs on debut against a formidable West Indies side, and the subsequent congratulations from the legendary Sir Garry Sobers, remain vivid memories, resonating with joy even after more than five decades.
Birthday Celebrations
Currently, Gavaskar is part of the expert panel for Sony Sports Network's coverage of the India-England Test series. His 76th birthday was celebrated live on air during the Extraaa Innings show, where he cut a cake alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan and broadcaster Harsha Bhogle, ahead of the third Test at Lord's.
As England batted first after winning the toss at the "Mecca of Cricket," the occasion was a fitting tribute to a cricketing icon whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
