Sunil Gavaskar (India)
Tuesday, December 24 2002 16:03 Hrs (IST)

Sunil Gavaskar is regarded by many as a player whose technique remains unmatched to date. He also has scored 34 Test hundreds, a feat yet to be equalled and it was in 1974 that he made his One-day debut and played for India first in the 1975 World Cup. He played a total of 19 World Cup matches and scored 561 runs at an average of 35.06.

He made one hundred and four half centuries. He was also a part of the 1983 team that won the World Cup that year. He had played a crucial role in India’s progress to the final. He also played in the 1987 World Cup and it was in Nagpur against New Zealand that Gavaskar scored 103 not out to win the match for the Indians. It was his highest score in all the World Cups that he had played.

Always recognised for his concentration and technique, he was a nightmare for the opposition bowlers. When the going got tough, he would hang in there and would never fail to put away the loose deliveries. He faced some of the fastest bowlers in the world without a helmet. He not only had grit and determination but also the courage to play a big innings.

Never flashy in his style of playing, he would ensure that he quietly went about the job and that was victory for the team. He made his last World Cup appearance in the Reliance World Cup in 1987. He played against England in Mumbai where India lost the match by 35 runs.

Gavaskar will be remembered for his commitment to the team, his impeccable technique and his success in cricket by fans all over the world.

Compiled by Ramnath Bhat

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