Sport Personalities

Sunil Gavaskar- The Little Master

'The Little Master' as he was fondly called by his co-players and commentators, Sunil Gavaskar was born in 1949. He started playing cricket at the early age of 17 in the year 1966/67. He played in the 1970s and 80s for Bombay and then for India too. He was regarded as the greatest opening batsman of his time. To Gavaskar's credit are world records for the most runs and most centuries ever by a batsman. Gavaskar spent his childhood days in Mumbai where he developed his interest in the game and started playing for the state (Maharashtra) at a very young age. He was given the title of the 'Best Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year' in 1966.

After making a few consecutive centuries in state level matches for the Ranji Trophy team from Mumbai. Gavaskar made his entry into team India in a tour to West Indies. Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman to score 10,000 runs. Gavaskar started playing his test matches for India in 1971 during India's tour to West Indies where he scored a spectacular 774 runs. Gavaskar's unique techniques and long concentration abilities proved beneficial for his games. Gavaskar holds the record for the highest number of test series – 34 until 2005 when Sachin Tendulkar broke his record. Apart from the numerous records and awards that are credited to his name, Gavaskar has also attained the prestigious 'Padma Bhushan' award. In the year 1994, he was appointed the honorary 'Sheriff of Mumbai' for a year.

Sunil Gavaskar retired from the game in the 1986-87 season of test cricket. But such was his love for the game that he took up TV and print commentary after retirement and also became an active executive member of the ICC board where he serves till date. Even after a decade of retirement from the field, the 'Little Master' still stands an example to young cricketers across the globe. Several records by the player are still unbroken by any player national or international. This makes it reason enough to call the all rounder a 'Living Legend in Cricket' today.