Sunil Gavaskar: The Little Master Who Conquered Fast Bowling

Early Life and Rise

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar was born in Mumbai on 10 July 1949 and would go on to become the first cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs. From a young age he showed exceptional technique, and his schoolboy exploits in Mumbai cricket were legendary before he ever wore the India cap. His compact, side-on technique was perfectly suited to facing the world's fastest bowlers on uncovered and unpredictable pitches.

Debut Series and 774 Runs Against West Indies

Gavaskar announced himself to the world in his debut series against West Indies in 1971, scoring 774 runs in four Tests at an average of 154.80. He scored four centuries and five half-centuries in conditions that destroyed most other batsmen. It is still one of the most extraordinary debut series in Test history. India won that series in the Caribbean for the first time ever, and Gavaskar was the primary reason.

Playing West Indies Pace Barrage Without a Helmet

Through the 1970s, facing the West Indies four-pronged pace attack without a helmet was simply what batsmen had to do. Roberts, Holding, Garner and Marshall routinely bowled at 90mph-plus on fast pitches. Gavaskar faced them all — often at their peak — and repeatedly scored heavily. His 221 at The Oval in 1979 is considered one of the great Test innings, batting for over 400 minutes while the West Indian seamers made no impression on his technique.

10,000 Test Runs — A Record That Stood 18 Years

Gavaskar became the first batsman to score 10,000 Test runs in January 1987 against Pakistan, breaking Don Bradman's old record of 6,996 which had stood for decades. His record of 10,122 Test runs across 125 Tests was only surpassed when Allan Border accumulated more. He also held the record for most Test centuries — 34 — until Viv Richards and later Tendulkar surpassed it. His tally of 34 centuries stood as a world record for eight years.

Legacy

Gavaskar retired in 1987 having transformed Indian cricket. He showed a generation of Indian players that a technically correct opening batsman could dominate any attack in any conditions. He went on to a distinguished career in commentary and cricket administration. The Sunil Gavaskar Trophy, awarded to the winner of India-Australia Test series, bears his name. He received the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 1980.