Sunil Gavaskar Wife, Age, Height, Batting Stats, IPL, Commentator, Son
Published on: Jul 12, 2018 1:48 pm IST|Updated on: Dec 15, 2021 2:19 pm IST
Sunil Gavaskar, Little master or Sunny, was most successful and among the greatest opening test batsmen of all time. Born in 1949 in Bombay, Gavaskar was a household name in early 1970’s till late 80’s.
Gavaskar was the first to set world records for most test runs and test centuries before another Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar came into picture. Most admired for his skills against fast bowling, especially the batting average of 65.45 against West Indies, Gavaskar was not that much of a captain and was sacked just six months prior to the 1983 World Cup win.
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar
Padma Shri and Padma Bhusan awardee, Gavaskar was awarded the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for Cricket in India and became the BCCI President to oversee IPL’s seventh edition. These days, he keeps himself busy as a cricket commentator.
Nickname:
Little Master, Sunny
Profession:
Former Cricketer, Commentator (Right-handed batsman)
Biography
Autobiography:
Sunny Days: An Autobiography
Biopic:
NA
Physical Appearance
Sunil Gavaskar Height
5’5″
Weight (approx.):
70 kg
Eye Colour:
Black
Hair Colour:
Black
Tattoos:
NA
Personal Life
Date of Birth:
10 July 1949
Sunil Gavaskar Age
71 years
Birth Place:
Bombay, Bombay State, India
Zodiac sign/Sun sign:
Cancer
Nationality:
Indian
School:
St. Xavier’s High School
College:
St. Xavier’s College-Autonomous, Bombay
Educational Qualifications:
NA
Signature:
Family
Father:
Manohar Gavaskar
Mother:
Meenal Mantri
Sister:
Nutan Gavaskar, Kavita Vishwanath
Brother:
NA
Coach/Mentor:
NA
Religion:
Hinduism
Address:
NA
Cricket Career
International Debut:
Test:
vs West Indies on 6 March 1971
ODI:
vs England on 13 July 1974
T20:
NA
Jersey Number:
NA
Domestic/State Team:
Bombay, Somerset
Nature on field:
Calm
Likes to play against:
West Indies
Favourite Shot/Ball:
Late Flick
Sunil Gavaskar Stats
Gavaskar had a record of 34 test centuries before another Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar broke it.
Gavaskar was the first person in test cricket history to score centuries in both innings thrice.
He was the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in test cricket.
He also has a record of most runs by a player in a series (774 runs vs WI).
Gavaskar is the only cricketer to score 4 consecutive hundreds at 2 venues (Wankhede and Port of Spain).
Gavaskar is the only cricketer to have 58-century partnerships.
He is the first Indian to carry a bat in a test match (127* in 1983).
Excluding wicketkeepers, Gavaskar was the first Indian to take over 100 catches in test cricket. He was a very fine slip fielder.
Career Turning Point:
Two consecutive centuries in the 1968/69 season for Bombay helped him get a call for India tour of West Indies in 1970/71
Preferences
Hobbies:
Watching wrestling, playing badminton, reading and listening to music
“No Kapil, No Test”. Once Gavaskar was batting on 236 in a test match and Kapil Dev declared the innings and was not given the chance for the triple hundred. Later in 1984, after meeting and consulting the selectors, skipper Gavaskar decided to axe Kapil and S Patil in spite being in-form. Kapil and Patil were accused of playing rash shots in the previous test match at Delhi which was heading to a draw but somehow India had to face a defeat. Calcutta then greeted Gavaskar with chants of “No Kapil, No Test”.
In 1982-83, Eden Gardens was all set for watching Gavaskar score his 30th test century. He was standing equal to Don Bradman’s record of 29 test century. However, Gavaskar got out cheaply in both the innings and an irate Eden Garden’s crowd started pelting stones.
In 1990, Gavaskar was not allowed through Grace Gates, Lords. As a result, Gavaskar surrendered his MCC membership
In 1975 in an ODI against England, Sunil Gavaskar could only manage 36 runs off 174 deliveries in response to England’s 334 from 60 overs.
During Sydney Test in 2008, Gavaskar released a controversial statement against match referee Mike Procter
Awards and recognitions
In 1980 he was awarded Padma Bhushan from President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy for his contribution in Indian cricket
In 2003, Gavaskar became the first and only Indian to deliver a MCC Spirit Of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture. He was the 3rd lecturer and only Indian till now in the history of the Cowdrey lecture.
On November 21, 2012, Gavaskar was conferred with BCCI’s prestigious Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award
On October 15, 2017, Gavaskar inaugurated a cricket field – The “Sunil M. Gavaskar Cricket Field” in Louisville in the state of Kentucky in United States. It is the first international sporting facility named after an Indian sportsperson.
Lesser Known Facts
Apart from being a cricket legend, Gavaskar had acted in films and given his voice to songs.
He acted in a Marathi movie-Savli Premachi while he was still playing. He has also done a cameo in Naseeruddin Shah’s Maalamaal in 1988
He has given voice to Marathi song- Ya Duniyemadhye Thambayaala Vel Konala
In 1994, he was appointed as the Sheriff of Mumbai
He has written 4 books- Sunny Days, Runs n’ Ruins, Idols and One Day Wonders
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been instituted in his co-honor.
In 1980, Gavaskar was named one of the Wisden cricketers of the year
In 1966 playing for his school, he was awarded India’s Best Schoolboy Cricketer of the year
On 28 March 2014, Gavaskar was appointed as the interim BCCI President for the 7th Season of IPL by Supreme Court of India
A 90's born who has witnessed Sachin becoming "The God", Dhoni becoming "The only Captain to have won all the ICC trophies" and Kohli turning into a "run-machine". Cricket is something I am crazy for and I try to deliver the best and true I can in my every writing.
