Chinmay Kore
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Sunil Gavaskar, born on July 10, 1949, was a cricketer of undeniable greatness, who relentlessly pursued excellence. He was a picture of stability and permanence at the crease. Gavaskar was also an astute captain and stamped his authority as one of the prime slip fielders in the cricketing world. On his birthday, let us have a look at some of Gavaskar's top-notch performances on the field that exemplifies his unwavering consistency and peerless batsmanship.
Gavaskar's epochal series in the West Indies
Gavaskar had a rather tepid start to his First-Class career. However, in the 1970 Ranji Trophy season, he unwrapped the generous portion of skill bestowed upon him by amassing a deluge of runs. The selectors soon picked him for the 1971 tour of West Indies. Gavaskar didn't play in the first Test at Kingston, Jamaica due to an attack of whitlow. However, once he was passed fit, Gavaskar's batting exploits sparkled in splendor.
The 529-minute double ton that he compiled in the fifth Test played at Port of Spain, Trinidad was certainly a monumental effort. Going into the second innings, India were behind by 166 runs. To make it worse for the visitors, Gavaskar's opening partner, Abid Ali, was back in the hut with the score reading just 11. Gavaskar, though, went on to compile a memorable double century. He had, earlier, composed a ton in the first innings of that Test. The game was eventually drawn and as a result, India won their first ever series in the West Indies 1-0. Gavaskar ended that series with 774 runs to his name.
Gavaskar single-handedly takes India to the cusp of an epic victory
To do well in the fourth innings of a Test requires iron-clad self-belief and supreme skills. Gavaskar had that in abundance. In the 1979 Test played between England and India at The Oval, the visitors were up against the wall. England had set them an imposing target of 408. While chasing down the monstrous target, Gavaskar and his opening partner, Chetan Chauhan began prosaically and took India to 76 for no loss at the end of day 4.
On the final day, the pair strung together a vital stand of 213 before Bob Willis dismissed Chauhan. Almost immediately after, Gavaskar started to turn the game on its head with a slew of drives in the arc between cover and mid-off. By batting with a still head, he picked the length quickly. His feet, his bat and his body seemed to instinctively know where they should be and runs came thick and fast for India.
Under pressure now, Mike Brearley had to spread the field. At the other end, Dilip Vengsarkar gave him able support. However, Vengserkar's wicket triggered a mini collapse. Finally Gavaskar's unflappable concentration eroded him and he was dismissed by Ian Botham for 221. The game ended in a gripping draw with India ending day 5 on 429 for 8; nine runs short of what would have been a glorious victory.
Gavaskar architect of India's amazing triumph at Port of Spain
A few years earlier in 1976, Gavaskar played with perfection at his favourite hunting ground, the Port of Spain, Trinidad, to pilot the visitors to a record-breaking run-chase. He dominated the proceedings while facing up to the spin trio of Albert Padmore, Imtiaz Ali and Raphick Jumadeen. He also found an able ally in Mohinder Amarnath.
On the fifth day though, Gavaskar struggled a bit for timing. In fact, he was lucky to complete his hundred as a mistimed sweep shot landed safely when he was on 98. Gavaskar was caught by Deryck Murray off the bowling of Jumadeen for a masterful 102. However, by then, he had put India in the ascendancy. On the back of Vishwanath's enterprising century, India overhauled the target for the loss of only four wickets.
Gavaskar mercilessly decimates West Indies' pace battery
Gavaskar was hailed by many as a template for near-flawless technique. However, in the Test match played against West Indies' fierce pace battery in Delhi, he pulverised the opposition ranks. Gavaskar had faced his share of problems against West Inides intimidating pace attack. In the first Test at Green Park, Kanpur, Gavaskar was dismissed for zero and seven by Malcolm Marshall. In the Test match played in Delhi though, he decided to counter-attack the Windies bowlers. He reached his 50 off a mere 37 balls. Gavaskar countered Holding by bringing in the thunderous short-arm pull to send the ball scurrying to the boundary boards. He continued to shred the opposition and soon added another glittering gem to his wonderful collection of hundreds. His 29th century came off just 94 balls and with it, he also equalled Don Bradman's record for most number of centuries in Tests.
Gavaskar's only ODI hundred
The 1987 World Cup turned out to be the last tournament Gavaskar played for India. It was also the tournament when he cracked his first and only ODI ton against New Zealand in Bombay. Surprisingly, Gavaskar scored at more than run-a-ball and reduced New Zealand's field placements to a lottery and completed his century in just 85 balls. It was a bravura batting performance from the legendary batsman.
Gavaskar showcases his slip catching skills
Gavaskar was also a superb slip fielder. In the Rothmans Cup final against arch-rivals, Pakistan in Sharjah in 1985, he plucked four catches to help India win a low-scoring thriller by 38 runs.
WWW.Crickbuzz.com
Gavaskar's epochal series in the West Indies
Gavaskar had a rather tepid start to his First-Class career. However, in the 1970 Ranji Trophy season, he unwrapped the generous portion of skill bestowed upon him by amassing a deluge of runs. The selectors soon picked him for the 1971 tour of West Indies. Gavaskar didn't play in the first Test at Kingston, Jamaica due to an attack of whitlow. However, once he was passed fit, Gavaskar's batting exploits sparkled in splendor.
The 529-minute double ton that he compiled in the fifth Test played at Port of Spain, Trinidad was certainly a monumental effort. Going into the second innings, India were behind by 166 runs. To make it worse for the visitors, Gavaskar's opening partner, Abid Ali, was back in the hut with the score reading just 11. Gavaskar, though, went on to compile a memorable double century. He had, earlier, composed a ton in the first innings of that Test. The game was eventually drawn and as a result, India won their first ever series in the West Indies 1-0. Gavaskar ended that series with 774 runs to his name.
Gavaskar single-handedly takes India to the cusp of an epic victory
To do well in the fourth innings of a Test requires iron-clad self-belief and supreme skills. Gavaskar had that in abundance. In the 1979 Test played between England and India at The Oval, the visitors were up against the wall. England had set them an imposing target of 408. While chasing down the monstrous target, Gavaskar and his opening partner, Chetan Chauhan began prosaically and took India to 76 for no loss at the end of day 4.
On the final day, the pair strung together a vital stand of 213 before Bob Willis dismissed Chauhan. Almost immediately after, Gavaskar started to turn the game on its head with a slew of drives in the arc between cover and mid-off. By batting with a still head, he picked the length quickly. His feet, his bat and his body seemed to instinctively know where they should be and runs came thick and fast for India.
Under pressure now, Mike Brearley had to spread the field. At the other end, Dilip Vengsarkar gave him able support. However, Vengserkar's wicket triggered a mini collapse. Finally Gavaskar's unflappable concentration eroded him and he was dismissed by Ian Botham for 221. The game ended in a gripping draw with India ending day 5 on 429 for 8; nine runs short of what would have been a glorious victory.
Gavaskar architect of India's amazing triumph at Port of Spain
A few years earlier in 1976, Gavaskar played with perfection at his favourite hunting ground, the Port of Spain, Trinidad, to pilot the visitors to a record-breaking run-chase. He dominated the proceedings while facing up to the spin trio of Albert Padmore, Imtiaz Ali and Raphick Jumadeen. He also found an able ally in Mohinder Amarnath.
On the fifth day though, Gavaskar struggled a bit for timing. In fact, he was lucky to complete his hundred as a mistimed sweep shot landed safely when he was on 98. Gavaskar was caught by Deryck Murray off the bowling of Jumadeen for a masterful 102. However, by then, he had put India in the ascendancy. On the back of Vishwanath's enterprising century, India overhauled the target for the loss of only four wickets.
Gavaskar mercilessly decimates West Indies' pace battery
Gavaskar was hailed by many as a template for near-flawless technique. However, in the Test match played against West Indies' fierce pace battery in Delhi, he pulverised the opposition ranks. Gavaskar had faced his share of problems against West Inides intimidating pace attack. In the first Test at Green Park, Kanpur, Gavaskar was dismissed for zero and seven by Malcolm Marshall. In the Test match played in Delhi though, he decided to counter-attack the Windies bowlers. He reached his 50 off a mere 37 balls. Gavaskar countered Holding by bringing in the thunderous short-arm pull to send the ball scurrying to the boundary boards. He continued to shred the opposition and soon added another glittering gem to his wonderful collection of hundreds. His 29th century came off just 94 balls and with it, he also equalled Don Bradman's record for most number of centuries in Tests.
Gavaskar's only ODI hundred
The 1987 World Cup turned out to be the last tournament Gavaskar played for India. It was also the tournament when he cracked his first and only ODI ton against New Zealand in Bombay. Surprisingly, Gavaskar scored at more than run-a-ball and reduced New Zealand's field placements to a lottery and completed his century in just 85 balls. It was a bravura batting performance from the legendary batsman.
Gavaskar showcases his slip catching skills
Gavaskar was also a superb slip fielder. In the Rothmans Cup final against arch-rivals, Pakistan in Sharjah in 1985, he plucked four catches to help India win a low-scoring thriller by 38 runs.
WWW.Crickbuzz.com
