Sunil Gavaskar, Cricketer
Cricketer

Sunil Gavaskar

Born 10 July 1949 · Maharashtra

First batsman to score over 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

Sunil Manohar "Sunny" Gavaskar, is an Indian cricket commentator and former cricketer. He captained the Indian national cricket team while representing India and Mumbai from 1971 to 1987. He was the first batsman to pass 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Gavaskar is acknowledged as one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Gavaskar is the only cricketer to have Test century partnerships with 18 different players, showcasing his adaptability in building innings with numerous teammates.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1971, at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Sunil Gavaskar scored 774 runs in his debut Test series against the West Indies, setting a record for most runs by a debutant in a Test series.
2
Gavaskar faced the fearsome West Indies four-pronged fast bowling attack without a helmet throughout the 1970s and 1980s, maintaining an astonishing batting average of 65.45 against them.
3In 1985, as captain, Gavaskar led India to victory in the World Championship of Cricket held in Australia, marking one of India’s earliest major international tournament wins.
4⚖️ In December 1994, Gavaskar was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai, an honorary civic position, illustrating his prominence beyond cricket.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1980
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In the 1970-71 West Indies tour, Gavaskar debuted after missing the first Test due to a nail infection, yet still ended the series with 774 runs, a debut record in Test cricket.

🖼️

Through the Years

5 photographs from the archives
Sunil Gavaskar with Dnyaneshwar Agashe in a formal meeting (2002)
Sunil Gavaskar with Dnyaneshwar Agashe in a formal meeting (2002)
2002
Sunil Gavaskar with Narendra Modi and Tony Abbott at the Civic Reception in Australia (2014)
Sunil Gavaskar with Thakur Doultani at a public event (2015)
Sunil Gavaskar at the Gr8 Beti event with Anu Ranjan and Amruta Fadnavis (2018)
Sunil Gavaskar at a Road Safety event in Mumbai with Ravi Gaikwad and Sachin Tendulkar (2021)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Bombay, Maharashtra
Sunil Manohar Gavaskar was born in a middle-class Marathi family in Mumbai, laying the roots of a cricketing legend.
1949
🏅
Award
Named India's Best Schoolboy Cricketer
At 17, Gavaskar was named India's Best Schoolboy Cricketer, after scoring 246*, 222, and 85 in school cricket.
1966
⚡
Career
First-class debut for Bombay
Gavaskar made his Ranji Trophy debut against Karnataka in the 1968-69 season amidst initial criticism.
1968
⚡
Career
Test debut vs West Indies
Gavaskar debuted in Test cricket at Queen's Park Oval, scoring 774 runs in the series and helping India to their first Test win on West Indies soil.
1971
⚡
Career
Won Asia Cup as captain
Gavaskar captained India to victory in the 1984 Asia Cup, marking a significant achievement in Indian one-day cricket.
1984
⚡
Career
World Championship of Cricket victory
Under Gavaskar’s captaincy, India won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
1985
🌟
Other
Appointed Sheriff of Mumbai
Gavaskar served as the honorary Sheriff of Mumbai, reflecting his stature beyond the cricket field.
1994
🏅
Award
Border–Gavaskar Trophy instituted
The Test series trophy between India and Australia was named after Gavaskar and Allan Border, honoring their cricketing milestones.
1996
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite initial criticism accusing nepotism due to his uncle Madhav Mantri’s role in selection committees, Gavaskar responded with consecutive Ranji centuries soon after his debut in 1968–69.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Gavaskar was the first Indian fielder, excluding wicketkeepers, to take over 100 catches in Test cricket, highlighting his contributions beyond batting.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He shares the rare record of scoring centuries in both innings of a Test match three times, a feat matched only by Australia’s Ricky Ponting and David Warner.

“

"A straight bat can silence any bowler."

— Sunil Gavaskar

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
SUNIL GAVASKAR IN THE FRONT BAR SHOW | THE FRONT BAR SHOW | Sunil Gawaskar
More from this archive
SUNIL GAVASKAR IN THE FRONT BAR SHOW | THE FRONT BAR SHOW | Sunil Gawaskar
01
SUNIL GAVASKAR IN THE FRONT BAR SHOW | THE FRONT BAR SHOW | Sunil Gawaskar
Sunil Gavaskar reveals Pakistan's unique sledging method against India | Sports Today
02
Sunil Gavaskar reveals Pakistan's unique sledging method against India | Sports Today
Sunil Gavaskar Relives Hilarious Moments with the Mighty West Indies | #AusvIndOnStar
03
Sunil Gavaskar Relives Hilarious Moments with the Mighty West Indies | #AusvIndOnStar
Kapil Dev Was India's Greatest Match-Winner: Sunil Gavaskar
04
Kapil Dev Was India's Greatest Match-Winner: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar Defends BCCI Amid India-Pakistan Cricket Row: 'We Are Just Minding Our Own Business'
05
Sunil Gavaskar Defends BCCI Amid India-Pakistan Cricket Row: 'We Are Just Minding Our Own Business'
Gavaskar & Harbhajan on India's T20 World Cup Win over New Zealand
06
Gavaskar & Harbhajan on India's T20 World Cup Win over New Zealand
Exclusive: Sunil Gavaskar Blames Batters' 'Poor Technique', Not Pitch, For India's Collapse Vs SA
07
Exclusive: Sunil Gavaskar Blames Batters' 'Poor Technique', Not Pitch, For India's Collapse Vs SA
Cricket roundtable with Sunil Gavaskar, Madan Lal and Atul Wassan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
08
Cricket roundtable with Sunil Gavaskar, Madan Lal and Atul Wassan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Bouncers Decoded ft. Sunil Gavaskar - Part 1
09
Bouncers Decoded ft. Sunil Gavaskar - Part 1
New Zealand series, not SA series loss the lowest point in Indian Test cricket history: Gavaskar
10
New Zealand series, not SA series loss the lowest point in Indian Test cricket history: Gavaskar

🌱 What changed because of them

Gavaskar’s success against hostile fast bowling inspired a generation of Indian batsmen to focus on technique and patience, shifting India’s approach to international cricket. The Border–Gavaskar Trophy institutionalized the India-Australia cricket rivalry, becoming one of the most celebrated Test series in the world. His role as Mumbai Sheriff highlighted the crossover of sports figures into civic life, influencing public perceptions of athletes’ societal roles.

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