Sunil Gavaskar facts for kids

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Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar in 2012

Sheriff of Mumbai

In office
1995–1996

Preceded by

I. M. Kadri

Succeeded by

Subir Kumar Choudhury

Personal information

Full name

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar

Born

10 July 1949 (age 75)
Bombay, Bombay Province, India

Nickname

Sunny, Little Master {one of two Mumbai born cricketers who were given that nickname by the people of India along with Sachin Tendulkar}

Height

5 ft 4 in (163 cm)

Batting

Right-handed

Role

Opening batsman

Relations

Madhav Mantri (uncle)
Manohar Gavaskar (father)
Meenal Gavaskar (mother)
Marshneil Gavaskar (wife)
Rohan Gavaskar (son)
Kavita Vishwanath (sister)
Gundappa Viswanath (brother-in-law)

International information

National side

India (1971–1987)

Test debut (cap 128)

6 March 1971 v West Indies

Last Test

13 March 1987 v Pakistan

ODI debut (cap 4)

13 July 1974 v England

Last ODI

5 November 1987 v England

Domestic team information

Years

Team

1967–1982

Mumbai

1980

Somerset

Career statistics

Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	125	108	348	151
Runs scored	10,122	3,092	25,834	4,594
Batting average	51.12	35.13	51.46	36.17
100s/50s	34/45	1/27	81/105	5/37
Top score	236*	103*	340	123
Balls bowled	380	20	1,953	108
Wickets	1	1	22	2
Bowling average	206.00	25.00	56.36	40.50
5 wickets in innings	0	0	0	0
10 wickets in match	0	0	0	0
Best bowling	1/34	1/10	3/43	1/10
Catches/stumpings	108/–	22/–	293/–	37/–

Medal record

Men's Cricket

Representing India
ICC Cricket World Cup
Winner	1983 England and Wales
ACC Asia Cup
Winner	1984 United Arab Emirates

Source: CricketArchive, 5 September 2008

Sunil Manohar "Sunny" Gavaskar (born 10 July 1949) is a famous former captain of the India national cricket team. He played for India and Mumbai from 1971 to 1987. Many people consider Gavaskar to be one of the greatest opening batsmen ever.

Gavaskar was known for his amazing batting skills against fast bowling. He had a very high average of 65.45 against the West Indies. This team had four very fast bowlers, thought to be the toughest in Test history. However, most of Gavaskar's centuries against the West Indies happened when their four main fast bowlers were not playing together.

He was also a captain who liked to attack, leading India to win the 1984 Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985. He shared the captaincy with Kapil Dev at times. Gavaskar also served as the Sheriff of Mumbai, an honorary role.

Gavaskar has received many important awards. These include the Arjuna Award for sports and the Padma Bhushan, a high civilian honor in India. He joined the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, he got the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor from the BCCI. Fans and commentators often call him "Sunny" or "Little Master".

Early Cricket Days

School and First-Class Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar was born in Mumbai into a middle-class family. He went to St Xavier's High School. In 1966, he was named India's Best Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year. He scored many runs in school cricket, including 246*, 222, and 85. He even hit a century against a touring team of London schoolboys.

He started playing first-class cricket in 1966–67. For two years, he was part of Bombay's Ranji Trophy team but did not play a match. He finally made his debut in the 1968–69 season. In his first match, he scored zero runs. Some people said he was only chosen because his uncle, Madhav Mantri, was on the selection committee. But Gavaskar quickly proved them wrong. He scored 114 runs in his second match and two more centuries after that. This led to him being chosen for the Indian team to tour the West Indies in 1970–71.

Test Cricket Journey

Amazing Debut in West Indies

Gavaskar missed the first Test match because of a nail infection. But in the second Test in Port-of-Spain, he scored 65 and 67 not out. He hit the winning runs, giving India its first-ever win against the West Indies.

He then scored his first century (116 runs) in the third Test. He followed this with 117* in the fourth Test. In the fifth Test, he scored 124 and 220 runs. This helped India win their first series against the West Indies. This was India's only series win there until 2006.

In that Test, he became the second player ever to score a century and a double century in the same match. He is still the only Indian to do this. He was also the first Indian to score four centuries in one Test series. He became the first Indian to get more than 700 runs in a series. His 774 runs at an average of 154.80 are still the most runs scored by any batsman in a debut series. A singer even wrote a song about him called the "Gavaskar Calypso".

Playing in England

In 1971, Gavaskar went to England for a three-Test series. People were very excited about him after his great debut. However, he only scored two half-centuries. He had a small clash with English bowler John Snow during a run, which led to Snow being suspended. Gavaskar's performance in England was not as good, with 144 runs at an average of 24.

When England toured India in 1972–73, Gavaskar played his first home series. He did not perform well in the first three Tests. He scored more runs in the last two Tests, helping India win the series. Overall, his first home series was a bit disappointing.

In 1974, India returned to England. Gavaskar scored 101 and 58 runs in the second Test. He managed 227 runs in the series, but India lost all three matches.

Home Century and Records

Gavaskar did not score a century in India until November 1976. In a series against New Zealand, he scored 119 runs at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, helping India win. He also scored a half-century in the next Test.

Against England in 1976–77, he became the first Indian to reach 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year. He scored 394 runs in the series, including one century and two half-centuries.

Tour to Australia and Pakistan

In 1977–78, Gavaskar toured Australia. He scored three centuries in a row (113, 127, 118) in the first three Tests. India won one of these matches. He finished the series with 450 runs.

The 1978–79 season saw India tour Pakistan for the first time in 17 years. Gavaskar faced Imran Khan, a fast Pakistani bowler, who called him "The most compact batsman I've bowled to." Gavaskar scored 89 and 97 in the first two Tests. In the third Test, he scored 111 and 137 runs. This made him the first Indian to score two centuries in one Test match twice. He also passed Polly Umrigar to become India's highest Test run-scorer. Gavaskar ended the series with 447 runs at an average of 89.40.

Leading the Team

Sunil Gavaskar's career performance graph.

Gavaskar was the captain of the Indian team many times in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His captaincy record shows many drawn matches. He led India to nine wins and eight losses, with 30 draws. During his time as captain, Kapil Dev became a top fast bowler for India.

First Series as Captain

His first series as captain was against the West Indies in India. Gavaskar scored a huge 205 runs in the first Test, becoming the first Indian to score a double century against the West Indies in India. He also scored 73 in the second innings. In the third Test, he scored 107 and 182 not out. This made him the first player in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a Test three times. He also became the first Indian to pass 4000 Test runs. He scored 732 runs in the series, helping India win 1–0.

Losing and Regaining Captaincy

Even after this success, he was removed as captain when India toured England in 1979. The official reason was that Srinivas Venkataraghavan had more experience in England. But many thought Gavaskar was punished for thinking about joining a different cricket league.

In the fourth Test at The Oval, Gavaskar played one of his best innings in England. India needed a world record 438 runs to win. Gavaskar led the team, scoring 221 runs. India almost won, ending up nine runs short with two wickets left. He finished the series with 542 runs at an average of 77.42 and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year.

Gavaskar was made captain again for the 1979–80 season. India played six home Test series against both Australia and Pakistan. India won the series against Australia 2–0 and against Pakistan 2–0. In these 13 Tests, he scored 1027 runs, including three centuries.

Challenging Tours

The 1980–81 season was tough for Gavaskar and India. He only scored 118 runs in three Tests against Australia. He was involved in a controversial moment at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. When he was given out, he tried to walk off the field with his batting partner, Chetan Chauhan. But the Indian manager convinced Chauhan to return, and India won the match.

India then lost to New Zealand 1–0. Gavaskar's captaincy continued to struggle, with India winning only one and losing five of the next 19 Tests.

Overtaking Bradman's Record

In 1983–84, India played a six-Test series against the powerful West Indies team. In the second Test in Delhi, Gavaskar scored 121 runs, his 29th Test century. This equaled Don Bradman's world record for the most Test centuries. He also passed 8,000 Test runs and was honored by the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

In the sixth Test in Madras, he scored an unbeaten 236 runs. This was his 30th Test century and his highest Test score. It meant he had now scored more Test centuries than Don Bradman. He scored a total of 505 runs in the series.

Final Captaincy and Resignation

After India failed to win for 29 Tests in a row, Gavaskar became captain again in 1984–85. India won their first Test in 32 matches against England. However, in the third Test in Eden Gardens in Calcutta, the crowd became angry with India's slow batting. They threw objects at Gavaskar. He promised never to play at Eden Gardens again, and he kept that promise. India lost the series, and Gavaskar resigned as captain.

Saying Goodbye to International Cricket

In 1985–86, India toured Australia, and all three Tests were drawn. Gavaskar scored 166 not out and 172 runs in two of the Tests. He ended the series with 352 runs at a great average of 117.33.

In 1986–87, Gavaskar played his final season of Test cricket. He scored 90 runs in the first Test against Australia, which ended in a tie. He scored his 34th and final Test century (176 runs) against Sri Lanka.

His last series was against Pakistan. In the fourth Test in Ahmedabad, Gavaskar scored 63 runs, becoming the first batsman to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket. In his very last Test innings in Bangalore, he scored 96 runs, but India lost the match and the series.

Gavaskar finished his international career with the 1987 Cricket World Cup. He scored 300 runs in the tournament. He hit his only One Day International (ODI) century (103*) against New Zealand. In the semi-finals, he scored only 4 runs in his last international innings.

Playing Style

Gavaskar was also a great fielder, especially in the slips. He was the first Indian (who was not a wicket-keeper) to take over a hundred catches in Test matches. Early in his career, he sometimes even opened the bowling for a short time. He took one wicket in his Test career, that of Pakistani player Zaheer Abbas.

Gavaskar was not known for attacking shots, but he kept the scoreboard moving with unique shots like the "late flick." His focus on perfect technique meant his style was less suited for the shorter form of the game (ODIs). In the 1975 Cricket World Cup, he famously scored only 36 not out in a full 60-over match. This was very slow, and India lost by a lot of runs. He scored his first and only ODI century in the 1987 Cricket World Cup, hitting 103 not out in 88 balls.

Amazing Records and Achievements

Gavaskar was the first Test cricket player to score over 10,000 runs.
He held the record for the most Test centuries (34) until Sachin Tendulkar passed him in 2005.
He still holds the record for the most runs (774) scored in a debut series.
He scored the most runs (2,749) and centuries (13) by any player against the West Indies.
He is the only cricketer to score 4 centuries in a row at two different venues: Port of Spain and Wankhede Stadium.
He is the only cricketer with Test century partnerships with 18 different players.
He shares the record for scoring centuries in both innings of a Test Match three times, with Ricky Ponting and David Warner.
He was the first Indian fielder (not a wicket-keeper) to take over a hundred catches in Test cricket.
He was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1980.
He was the first Indian cricketer to carry his bat (stay not out through the entire innings) in Test cricket, scoring 127 not out in 1983.
He was the first cricketer to play 100 consecutive Test matches.

Important Statistics

Test debut: West Indies vs India at Port of Spain, 6–10 March 1971
Last Test: India vs Pakistan at Bangalore, 13–17 March 1987
ODI debut: England vs India at Leeds, 13 July 1974
Last ODI: India vs England at Bombay, 5 November 1987
First-class career: 1966–1987
First Class Debut: Vazir Sultan Colt's XI vs Dungarpur XI at Hyderabad, 1966–67
Last First Class Match: Rest of the World vs M.C.C. at Lord's, 1987
List A career: 1973–1988
Gavaskar's 100s in first-class cricket:
- Tests: 34
- Ranji Trophy: 20
- Irani Cup: 3
- Duleep Trophy: 6
- Rest of the World against England (his last first-class game): 1
- County cricket for Somerset: 2
- Other games: 15

Life After Cricket

Gavaskar with former BCCI vice-president Dnyaneshwar Agashe.

After retiring from playing, Gavaskar became a popular cricket commentator on TV and in newspapers. In 2003, he was the first Indian to give the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture. He also advised the India national cricket team in 2004. He was the Chairman of the ICC cricket committee but left to continue his broadcasting career.

In 2014, the Supreme Court of India appointed Gavaskar as the temporary President of the BCCI. His main job was to oversee the seventh season of the Indian Premier League. The Court asked him to stop commenting during this time.

Entertainment and Acting

Gavaskar also tried acting. He played the main role in a Marathi movie called "Savli Premachi." Later, he had a guest role in the 1988 Hindi movie "Maalamaal." He even sang a Marathi song called "Ya Duniyemadhye Thambayaala Vel Konala," which compared cricket to real life.

Special Honours

In 1980, Gavaskar received the Padma Bhushan award for his successful cricket career.
In 1994, he became the Sheriff of Bombay for a year, an honorary position.
In 1996, the Border–Gavaskar Trophy was created. This trophy is for the Test series between India and Australia, honoring him and Allan Border for their great careers.
A cricket field in his home district of Vengurla is named "Gavaskar Stadium."
In 2003, he was the third person ever, and the first Indian, to give the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture.
In 2012, he received the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the BCCI.
In 2017, a cricket field in Louisville, USA, was named the "Sunil M. Gavaskar Cricket Field." This was the first international sports facility named after an Indian sportsperson.

Books by Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has written several books, including his life stories and thoughts on cricket history. In 1999, he released The Sunil Gavaskar Omnibus, which included three of his autobiographical books: Sunny Days, Idols, and One Day Wonders. He has also written columns for many newspapers.

Personal Life

Sunil Gavaskar was born into a Marathi-speaking family. His parents were Meenal and Manohar Gavaskar. He is married to Marshneill Gavaskar. Their son, Rohan Gavaskar, also played cricket for India but did not stay in the team for long. Rohan was named after three of his father's favorite cricketers: Rohan Kanhai, M. L. Jaisimha, and his uncle, Gundappa Vishwanath.

In his autobiography, "Sunny Days," Gavaskar shared a story that he was almost switched with another baby at birth. His uncle noticed a birthmark near his ear and realized the baby was not Sunil. Gavaskar joked that he might have grown up to be a fisherman.

His uncle, Madhav Mantri, was also a famous Indian cricketer. His sister, Kavita Viswanath, is married to cricketer Gundappa Viswanath. His other sister, Nutan Gavaskar, was a leader in the Women's Cricket Association of India.

His son Rohan shared a story about Gavaskar saving a family during the 1993 Bombay riots. Rohan said his father bravely confronted a violent crowd to protect a family, telling them they would have to hurt him first. This act of courage allowed the family to escape safely.

Gavaskar is a follower of Sathya Sai Baba.