Sunil Gavaskar (born 10 July 1949) is a former Indian cricketer and captain, and one of the greatest opening batsmen in history. Known as “Sunny”, he was the first player to score 10,000 Test runs. His 34 Test centuries stood as the world record until Sachin Tendulkar passed it in 2005. He scored heavily against the fearsome West Indies fast bowlers without a helmet. After retiring he became one of the most prominent commentators in the game, and the Border–Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is named partly after him.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Sunil Manohar Gavaskar |
| Nicknames | Sunny, Little Master |
| Born | 10 July 1949, Bombay (now Mumbai), India |
| Age | 77 |
| Role | Right-handed opening batsman |
| International career | 1971–1987 |
| Test record | 125 Tests, 10,122 runs, 34 centuries |
| Spouse | Marshneil Gavaskar |
| Children | 1 (Rohan Gavaskar, former India cricketer) |
| Known for | First to 10,000 Test runs, 774 runs on debut series |
Early Life
Gavaskar was born in Bombay into a Marathi family, and his maternal uncle, Madhav Mantri, had played Test cricket for India. He studied at St. Xavier’s High School and St. Xavier’s College, and he made his name in schools and university cricket before playing for Bombay.
Career
Gavaskar made his Test debut in the West Indies in 1971 and scored 774 runs in four matches. It remains the highest aggregate by any batsman in a debut series, and it helped India to its first series win in the Caribbean.
For 16 years Gavaskar was the backbone of India’s batting. He was renowned for his technique and concentration against the West Indies’ great fast bowlers, whom he faced without a helmet. He captained India at various times between 1978 and 1985, winning the 1984 Asia Cup and the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia. He was part of the squad that won the 1983 World Cup under Kapil Dev. In 1983 he broke Don Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries. In 1987 he became the first batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs, and he retired later that year.
Commentary and Administration
After retiring, Gavaskar became one of cricket’s best-known commentators and columnists. He chaired the ICC cricket committee and briefly served as interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2014. His autobiography, Sunny Days, was published in 1976. Since 1996 India and Australia have played Test series for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, named after him and Allan Border.
Personal Life
Gavaskar is married to Marshneil Gavaskar. Their son, Rohan, played ODI cricket for India.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Sunil Gavaskar born?
Sunil Gavaskar was born on 10 July 1949 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India and is 77 years old.
What is Sunil Gavaskar known for?
Known for: First to 10,000 Test runs, 774 runs on debut series.
Featured image: Sunil Gavaskar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, December 2014. Photo by Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.
