‘Finest opener of all time’- Fans react as Sunil Gavaskar celebrates his 74th birthday today

Sunil Gavaskar is without a doubt one of the best batters India has ever produced. He was recognized for his tough batting style, ability to play extended innings, and brave attitude when faced with lethal fast bowling. Without even a helmet, the Indian opening batter controlled a period dominated by speedsters such as Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Denis Lillee.

Gavaskar achieved 34 hundreds and 45 half-centuries in Test cricket during his brilliant career. He was the first player to reach the 1000-run mark in Tests. After a successful career, which included the World Cup win in 1983, Gavaskar ventured into commentary. He served India for 16 years from 1971-87 and during this period. The former Indian captain made 774 runs in his maiden series against the West Indies in 1971, and he also played a significant part in India’s first series triumph in the Caribbean. In fact, Gavaskar has the most number of Test hundreds against the West Indies, with 13 from 27 matches. His average in Tests was 51.12. Simultaneously, he scored 3092 runs throughout his ODI career.

Sunil Gavaskar career

In one-day internationals, his average was 35.13, and he had one century and 27 half-centuries to his name. He was the first Indian fielder to record a century of catches in Test cricket. For the record, he caught 108 catches over his Test career. Gavaskar has always enjoyed wrestling as a sport. He had aspirations of becoming a wrestler. However, his great desire to play for the Indian cricket team gradually overtook his ambition, and the rest is history.

Gavaskar was inadvertently switched shortly after birth. His uncle observed that the infant they had taken home was missing a mole near the left ear lobe that had been there at birth. The family brought Gavaskar to the hospital, where he was discovered resting behind a fisherwoman. Many of his fans are unaware that the batting legend is also an actor. He made his cinematic debut in the Marathi film Savli Premachi. Gavaskar also appeared beside Naseeruddin Shah in the film Maalamal in 1988.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

https://twitter.com/Sonu_1827/status/1678245927491088384?s=20

https://twitter.com/CSKIPL15/status/1678243293631778816?s=20

As far as I am concerned, he is probably the world's best opening batsman, till date.

— udayachandran menon (@kausay8) July 10, 2023

Happy birthday Little master ❤

— Nikhil Jha (@NikhilKjha_) July 10, 2023

Happy Birthday dear sir, and we never forget your heroic knock 36 runs in just 174 balls,

— Mohammed Haroon (@Mohamme09954984) July 10, 2023

The very best Sunny G.

— Girish Shukla (@ShuklaG2020) July 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/RajkumarCPE1506/status/1678232794080870401

Greatest cricketer from Maharashtra ❤️❤️

— Rahul Patil (@Rahul_Patil7) July 10, 2023