Quiz: How well did you follow Sunil Gavaskar’s cricket career?

Former legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar celebrates his 73rd birthday on July 10, 2022. Born in the year 1949 in Mumbai, Gavaskar made his international debut in a Test match against West Indies at Port of Spain in March 1971. Three years later, he played his maiden ODI match against England at Leeds in July 1974. With a Test average of 51.12 and over 10,000 runs, ‘Sunny’ is regarded as one of the finest batters the country has ever produced.

Gavaskar etched his name into the history books when he became the first player to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket. The former right-handed opening batter achieved this incredible feat against Pakistan in Ahmedabad Test in March 1987. Also known as ‘little master’, he held the record for scoring the most centuries (34) in the longest format of the game before his countryman Sachin Tendulkar surpassed his record against Sri Lanka in 2005.

Gavaskar was widely regarded for his solid technique against fast bowlers. Test cricket was his go-to format as he has played sixth-most matches (125) for India in the format. In ODIs, his numbers were not that impressive having hit just a solitary century in 108 games. Talking about his captaincy, he led India in 47 Tests but managed to win only nine matches. Eight times his team lost under his leadership and 30 encounters were drawn. In One-Dayers, Gavaskar donned the captaincy hat 37 times which included 14 victories and 21 losses. Two clashes ended up in no result.

Sunil Gavaskar holds the record for scoring the most runs in a Test series by a debutant

Meanwhile, the Indian legend holds the record for smashing the most runs in a Test series by a debutant. He struck a mammoth 774 runs in eight innings at a stellar average of 154.80 with four centuries and three half-centuries and the highest score of 220 against West Indies in 1971. In the  five-match series, Gavaskar played only four games and created a record that is still not broken. India won the series by a margin of 1-0 and it was their first-ever match and Test series victory over West Indies.

The 1983-World Cup winner, Sunny Gavaskar is still India’s third-highest run-getter in the longest format of the game. The Little Master shattered and created many records in his glorious career which spanned 16 long years. We wish one of the greatest batters in the history of the game and the Mumbai stalwart, Mr.Sunil Gavaskar a very Happy 73rd birthday and healthy life ahead!

Meanwhile, lets Test your knowledge in this quiz based on Sunil Gavaskar’s international career: