Sunil Gavaskar. (Photo Source: Mark Leech/Getty Images)
Sunil Gavaskar celebrated his 74th birthday on Monday, July 10. He is among the finest Indian batters to have played the sport, and his records speak for themselves. The former Test opener was the superstar of Indian cricket before Sachin Tendulkar arrived onto the scene.
He announced his grand arrival in international cricket by scoring a record 774 runs and four tons in his debut series against the might bowling attack of the West Indies. The Maharashtra-born was also the first batter to achieve the landmark of 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
Gavaskar’s legacy as the batter was taken forward by generations to come. The veteran Indian cricketer’s career lasted for 16 years and was one of the most technically sound batters of his generation. In his International career for team India, the “Little Master” played 125 Tests and scored 10,122 runs, and in 108 ODIs scored 3092 runs with a solitary hundred.
Gavaskar is currently third in the highest Test runs scored by Indians, after Sachin and Rahul Dravid. The former Indian skipper, in his kit bag, has a World Cup trophy, a 1985 World Championship title and Test series wins in Australia, England, and the West Indies.
As he celebrates his birthday today, cricketing fraternity all over the world came forward to congratulate the batting maestro. The official handle of The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), congratulated the veteran Indian cricketer. While personalities like Shikhar Dhawan, Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh also took to Twitter to wish the legend on his special day.
Here is how the cricket fraternity extended his wishes to Sunil Gavaskar –
First man to reach the mark of 10,000 runs and 30 hundreds in Test cricket and an icon of Indian cricket 🏏
Happy Birthday, #SunilGavaskar Sir 💫 pic.twitter.com/Hv9Ujtqx5u
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 10, 2023
Happy birthday Sunil Gavaskar sir! Your unmatched skills, determination, and grace continue to inspire generations of cricketers. wishing you good health and happiness. #SunilGavaskar
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) July 10, 2023
A cricket magician with a bat and words 😍
Wishing the ‘Little Master’ a day filled with joy and gratitude for all the unforgettable moments 🙌#HappyBirthdayGavaskar #SunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/nuF2gbxxnC
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) July 10, 2023
Hero of all times❤️ happy birthday @sunilgavaskar sir🎂🙏🤗🏏 pic.twitter.com/mz4B0SbG0B
— Laxmi Ratan Shukla (@Lshukla6) July 10, 2023
“It was Gavaskar
The real master
Just like a wall
We couldn’t out Gavaskar at all, not at all
You know the West Indies couldn’t out Gavaskar at all”
Such was his greatness that even the opposition wrote songs about him 🙌🏽 Happy Birthday Sunny bhai, have a great one 🎂😊 #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/6qsqZ7HVZ8
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 10, 2023
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to a great human being and a legend who continues to inspire across generations 🎂 Hope you have a fabulous year filled with good health, happiness and success Sunny bhai 🤗 🎉 #SunilGavaskar @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/enyrJXKiik
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 10, 2023
Happy Birthday “Little Master” Sir #SunilGavaskar Ji. I wish you all success and may you continue to guide the youngsters with your expertise and experience🙏 pic.twitter.com/dcuqULllFp
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 10, 2023
774 Test runs in debut series. Unlikely to be bettered. #SunilGavaskar. Maestro
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 10, 2023
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to#SunilGavaskar pajii one of the Best batsman & The wall of his era. #HappyBirthdaySunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/FvgJGR6PSN
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) July 10, 2023
Wishing the Little Master #SunilGavaskar, a very Happy Birthday! Your unmatched batting prowess, impeccable technique, and records galore continue to inspire generations of cricketers. @BCCI
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 10, 2023
1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣3️⃣ World Cup-winner 🏆
233 intl. games
13,214 intl. runs 👌🏻
First batter to score 1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in Tests 👏🏻👏🏻
Here’s wishing Sunil Gavaskar – former #TeamIndia Captain & batting great – a very Happy Birthday. 👏🏻🎂 pic.twitter.com/WmZSyuu0Lj
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2023