Gavaskar
gave Indian cricket respectability
That
Sunil Gavaskar is a legend in India is well known. He gave Indian
cricket respectability. Of course, there were others too, but
then he stood out because of his consistency. When people hailed
his 29th Test century, Gavaskar was the first to point out that
it should not be treated as a record since he had taken more
innings than Australian Sir Donald Bradman to reach that mark.
And
although he stopped playing in 1987, not even today's Indian
star batsman Sachin Tendulkar can match his fan following.
Of course, comparisons are drawn between Tendulkar and West
Indian star Brian Lara, but this legendary cricketer stands
out. He does not even figure in such discussions because he
is rated above them both.
Nevertheless,
it is impossible to talk about Gavaskar without recalling
the India-West Indies series of 1971. When the team left India
for the West Indies, Gavaskar, who was to become the star
of the series, was only in the team as a reserve opener. However,
as faith was to have it, he got his chance to display his
talents, when selected opener Jayanthilal suffered an injury.
The rest is history.
The
21-year-old opener made such a sensational debut into Test
cricket that Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Relator composed
a song on him which in part said that "He is just like
a wall . . . we can't get Gavaskar out at all . . ."
Since
that series, Gavaskar has gone on to more glories, but he
will
be facing one of the greatest events in his life when come
October 5, he will be inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame
at ceremonies to be held at the Radisson Hotel, Cromwell,
Connecticut. The "Little Master" as he is affectionately
called, will join the ranks of many former Test stars which
included Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton
Weekes, Lance Gibbs and Alfred Valentine that have been inducted
into the prestigious Halls. Last year's inductee was former
West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards.
Gavaskar
ended the series in the Caribbean with 774 runs in eight Test
innings at an average of 154.80, including a double century
and three other hundreds, leading one writer to declare that
it is no coincidence that with the arrival of Gavaskar that
India began tasting victories abroad. It was only because
of him that India achieved one of the greatest results in
their history - the first, and so far only, series win in
the Caribbean. His aggregate of 774 was only five runs short
of Weekes' aggregate of 779, the highest in a series between
the two countries. No batsman, of course, has scored more
runs in his debut series. In four Tests in 1929-30 George
Headley had scored 703. Till then, only Australian Sir Donald
Bradman against South Africa in 1931-32 and India in 1947-48
had a better average.
Apart
from the statistics Gavaskar also showed plenty of pluck and
character that is now sadly missing from the Indian ranks.
For instance, in the second innings of the final Test of the
series, Gavaskar made 220. And all through the innings which
lasted eight hours and 50 minutes, he batted with a severe
toothache without even flinching. Such was his authority and
domination that the next highest score was only 54.
In
the West Indies it is said that no cricketer would have signed
as many autograph as Gavaskar. Even today one can see Gavaskar
being mobbed by his fans whenever he visits any island in
the West Indies. Needless to say, he enjoys it.
Nowadays,
the "Little Master" sits in the commentators box,
where he analyses the game for the benefit of arm-chair experts,
seldom discussing the past.
In this position he still somehow manages to command popularity
and has remained a great ambassador for his country.
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