Sunil Gavaskar, widely regarded as one of the greatest openers of all time, turned 73 on Sunday (July 10). The original ‘Little Master’ was a member of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team.
Gavaskar, who kept himself involved with cricket through commentary, ruled the batting charts at a time when the pitches were not batting friendly. Born in Bombay, he served Indian cricket for 16 years before retiring from cricket in November 1987. He represented India in 233 matches scoring 13214 runs.
The cricket fraternity extended birthday wishes to Gavaskar, the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Tests.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah said on Twitter: “Whether it is 10000 runs in Test cricket with 34 centuries, nimble footwork at the crease or facing fast bowlers without a helmet, #Littlemaster has done it all. Look something made easy. Wishing one of the greatest cricketers of India #SunilGavaskar a very happy birthday. Stay Young Forever. #fable”
Be it 10000 runs in Test cricket with 34 centuries, nimble footwork at the crease or facing fast bowlers without helmets, #littlemaster Everything made easy. Happy Birthday to one of India’s greatest cricketers, #SunilGavaskar, Stay Young Forever. #fable
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) 10 July 2022
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said: “Happy Birthday to former cricketer Padma Bhushan Shri Sunil Gavaskar ji. May you be blessed with good health and a long life.”
The International Cricket Council wrote: “He was an opener you wanted to look back on. Because when he comes in, he books lunch and dinner and overnight accommodations. One of India’s greatest batsmen, Sunil Happy birthday to Gavaskar.”
BCCI tweeted: “233 international games, 13,214 international runs, 1983 World Cup winner, first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Tests. Here’s wishing Sunil Gavaskar – former Team India captain and batting great – a very happy birthday.”
233 International Games
13,214 international runs
1983 world cup winner
First batsman to score 10,000 runs in testHere’s Congratulation Sunil Gavaskar – Ex #teamindia Captain and batting splendid – wishing you a very happy birthday. pic.twitter.com/Wk5JTQ7dMa
— BCCI (@BCCI) 10 July 2022
Former Kolkata Knight Riders team director Joy Bhattacharya said: “Virat and Rohit are the stars of a proud and prosperous nation, one of the most powerful in cricket. Sunil Gavaskar was the mainstay of a poor nation at the bottom of the cricketing hierarchy. Escaped the overcrowded office with just one thought – Gavaskar was still batting. HBD Master.”
— the ending —