Sunil Gavaskar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sunil Gavaskar
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![]() Gavaskar in 2012
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Sheriff of Mumbai | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 1995–1996 |
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Preceded by | I. M. Kadri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Subir Kumar Choudhury | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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".
Contents
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
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
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.
See also
In Spanish: Sunil Manohar Gavaskar para niños
- List of international cricket centuries by Sunil Gavaskar
- List of cricketers who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match