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SUNIL GAVASKAR BIOGRAPHY: BIRTH, AGE, FAMILY, EDUCATION, CRICKET CAREER

Sunil Gavaskar | Birth, Age, and Education

Sunil Gavaskar, a renowned former Indian cricketer and cricket commentator, represented India and Bombay from 1971 to 1987. He is highly regarded as one of the best opening batters in cricket history. His full name is Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, and he is affectionately known as Sunny or Little Master. Born on 10th July 1949 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, Gavaskar is a Cancer by zodiac sign and follows the Hindu religion. Standing at 1.65m (5’5″) tall, he was a right-handed batsman.

Gavaskar’s exceptional ability to face fast bowling, particularly against the West Indies, who had a formidable four-pronged fast bowling attack, earned him widespread recognition. Many of his centuries against the West Indies were scored when they did not have their full-strength bowling lineup. While he led India to victory in the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket, his captaincy was often criticized for inconsistent performances. Frequent captaincy changes followed Gavaskar’s tenure, with one dismissal happening just six months before Kapil Dev led India to win the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He also held the position of Mumbai’s former Sheriff. Sunil Gavaskar biography.

Throughout his illustrious career, Sunil Gavaskar received several honours, including the civilian Padma Bhushan award and the Indian sports Arjuna Award. In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, and in 2012, he was honoured with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for Cricket in India.

Sunil Gavaskar Cricket Career

Sunil Gavaskar, born in Mumbai to a middle-class Marathi family, attended St. Xavier’s High School and won the 1966 India’s Best Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award while playing for his school. He showed promising performances in school cricket, including scoring a century against visiting London schoolboys. In 1966-67, he played his first first-class match for Vazir Sultan Colts XI and later joined Bombay’s Ranji Trophy team. Gavaskar made his Test debut for India in 1971 against the West Indies and quickly gained fame for his exceptional performances against their formidable fast bowling attack. Sunil Gavaskar biography.

Throughout his career, Gavaskar achieved numerous milestones, including multiple centuries and records against various opponents. He also had a stint as India’s captain, but his captaincy was criticized for conservative strategies and inconsistent results. Gavaskar retired from Test cricket in 1987 after an illustrious career that spanned over a decade.

After retirement, he became a well-regarded cricket commentator and pundit, providing valuable insights and analysis. Gavaskar has been involved in various cricket-related activities and has served on committees and given lectures. He also acted as the interim president of the BCCI for a brief period.

Sunil Gavaskar, a cricketing legend, etched his name in history as the first player to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Achieving this remarkable feat during a Test match against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on March 7, 1987, he solidified his position as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Gavaskar’s illustrious Test career spanned 125 matches, where he amassed a total of 10,122 runs, including an impressive tally of 34 centuries. However, his record of being the first to reach 10,000 Test runs was later surpassed by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar in 2005.

Gavaskar’s prowess against the formidable West Indies bowling attack was equally noteworthy, as he recorded an incredible 13 centuries in just 27 matches against them. This made him the only cricketer to score 774 runs in a Test series against the West Indies, showcasing his exceptional skill and technique against fast bowling.

One of Gavaskar’s remarkable innings was during the Faisalabad Test against Pakistan, where he became the first Indian batsman to bat continuously and scored an unbeaten 127 runs. Throughout his career, Gavaskar displayed remarkable consistency, crossing the 1,000-run mark in a single year on four separate occasions. Apart from his exceptional batting, Gavaskar was an outstanding fielder, making him the first Indian non-wicketkeeper to take a century of catches in Test matches, amassing 108 catches in his Test career.

Sunil Gavaskar’s dedication to the game was evident through his remarkable streak of playing in 106 consecutive Test matches for India, making him a vital and dependable member of the team for almost 12 years. His versatility and dominance were further highlighted by being the only Indian cricketer to score three centuries in a single Test match, a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure. Gavaskar’s impact on the game extended beyond his own performance, as he formed 58 Test century partnerships with 18 different players, a record he shares with Ricky Ponting and David Warner. Adding to his list of achievements, Gavaskar, along with Ponting and Warner, holds the record for most centuries in both innings of a Test match, achieving this feat an impressive three times in a row. Recognizing his exceptional contributions to the sport, Gavaskar was honoured as one of the Wisden cricketers of the year in 1980, solidifying his place among the cricketing greats. Sunil Gavaskar biography.

Sunil Gavaskar Family

Marshneil Gavaskar hails from Kanpur and grew up in a family involved in leather manufacturing, just like many others in the city. She shared a passion for cricket, often attending matches with her family and friends. In 1973, while studying in Delhi, Marshneil had the opportunity to watch an Indian cricket team match with her friends. During the game, she sought autographs from the players, including the renowned Sunil Gavaskar. It was then that Sunil noticed Marshneil and was smitten by her at first sight. After a few months, Sunil proposed to Marshneil in Kanpur, and she accepted. The couple’s relationship blossomed, and they tied the knot on September 23, 1974.

Their love story continued, and Marshneil gave birth to their son, Rohan Gavaskar, in February 1976. Rohan followed in his father’s footsteps and played cricket for India in 11 One Day Internationals. However, despite his efforts, he couldn’t cement his place in the team. Sunil named Rohan after his favourite cricketers, and today, the couple enjoys being grandparents to Vivaan and Reya.

Apart from his cricketing career, Sunil Gavaskar also dabbled in acting, featuring in the Marathi film “Savli Premachi” and making a brief cameo appearance in the Hindi film “Maalamaal.” He has also authored several books, including his autobiography “Sunny Days: An Autobiography” and books like “Idols,” “Runs ‘n Ruins,” and “One Day Wonders,” all revolving around cricket. Sunil Gavaskar biography.

Sunil Gavaskar Controversies

Sunil Gavaskar, the former cricketer and commentator, expressed his opinion on various occasions, some of which caused controversies. One such incident involved Shane Warne, where Gavaskar stated that he didn’t consider him the best spinner. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, Gavaskar faced criticism for the timing of his remarks, as they came soon after Warne’s passing. Furthermore, Gavaskar made inappropriate comments about Warne’s lifestyle, which he later apologized for, acknowledging that the question should not have been asked in the first place.

Another instance of controversy arose when Gavaskar made comments about Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2021, implying that it was affected by Anushka Sharma’s bowling practice during the lockdown. This remark received severe backlash, and Anushka responded to it on social media. Gavaskar faced criticism for his offensive statement.

In his autobiography, Gavaskar revealed moments of self-doubt and anguish during his playing days, admitting that he contemplated leaving the stumps and getting dismissed at times. His decision to walk off during a Test match against Australia, which India eventually won, remains one of India’s regrettable incidents. Gavaskar later acknowledged his mistake in that regard. Sunil Gavaskar biography.

On another occasion, Gavaskar questioned Rahul Dravid’s decision to alter the lineup after India had already won the series against Sri Lanka in July 2021. He expressed concerns about players receiving India caps too frequently. Dravid defended the selections, stating that all players chosen for the tour were deserving of the cap.

These instances reflect some of the controversies that Sunil Gavaskar has been involved in during his career as a cricketer and commentator.

Sunil Gavaskar Awards

Throughout his illustrious career, Sunil Gavaskar received numerous honours and recognitions. In 1980, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by former Indian President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. Later, in 1994, Gavaskar took the oath of office as Bombay Sheriff, with the presence of former governor P. C. Alexander and former chief minister Sharad Pawar. In 1996, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was established in his honour, to be contested in any bilateral Test series between India and Australia. Gavaskar also delivered the MCC Spirit Of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture in 2003, making him the first and only Indian to do so. He received the Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from BCCI in 2012, and a cricket field in Louisville, Kentucky was named after him in 2017, making it the first international sporting complex to bear the name of an Indian athlete.

Beyond his cricketing achievements, Sunil Gavaskar’s personal life holds interesting anecdotes. He once dreamed of being a wrestler, and he has a passion for singing, featuring in a Marathi film and even providing vocals for a well-known Marathi song. Gavaskar idolized Rohan Kanhai and comes from a family with a cricketing background. His nickname “Sunny” and the fact that he was once swapped with a fisherman’s baby have become part of his unique story. He is also known for scoring 34 centuries in his career.

Gavaskar’s contributions to the world of cricket extend to writing books and serving as a match official. He is recognized for his slowest innings and has experienced both highs and lows in his cricketing journey. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands as a testament to his legacy alongside Allan Border, and he has authored several books, including an autobiography. Sunil Gavaskar’s impact on and off the field continues to be celebrated and remembered by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

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