Sunil Gavaskar Records — First to 10,000 Test Runs & All-Time Milestones
A deep dive into Sunil Gavaskar's records: first player to 10,000 Test runs, the 774-run debut, record 34 Test centuries, and how he dominated the world's best fast bowling without a helmet.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first player to score 10,000 Test runs?
Sunil Gavaskar of India became the first player in history to score 10,000 Test runs on 7 March 1987, during the Test match against Pakistan in Lahore. He finished his career with 10,122 Test runs in 125 matches at an average of 51.12, including 34 centuries.
What was Sunil Gavaskar's debut series score?
In his debut series against West Indies in the Caribbean in 1971, Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 runs in 4 Tests at an average of 154.80. This remains the highest run total in a debut Test series in history. India also won the series 1-0 — their first Test series win outside the subcontinent.
How many Test centuries did Sunil Gavaskar score?
Sunil Gavaskar scored 34 Test centuries in 125 Test matches. This was a world record at the time of his retirement in 1987 — a record he held for several years until Javed Miandad, Steve Waugh, and eventually Sachin Tendulkar passed him. Tendulkar's 51 Test hundreds is the current all-time record.