Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri captured the legendary presence and aura of Sunil Gavaskar during his playing days.
Sunil Gavaskar: The Original Superstar of Indian Cricket
Long before Virat Kohli’s dominance, MS Dhoni’s captaincy era, or Sachin Tendulkar’s rise as the ‘God of Cricket,’ Sunil Gavaskar was Indian cricket’s first true superstar. He was the original trendsetter, the alpha figure who commanded respect both on and off the field. Known as the first man to score 10,000 Test runs, Gavaskar was not just technically sound but also fearless, taking on the most fearsome fast bowlers of his era. From Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson to the legendary West Indian pace quartet of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, and Michael Holding, Gavaskar stood his ground with unmatched grit.
Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri, who played alongside Gavaskar in the 1970s, described him as a man who always had his way. One of the most talked-about examples of this came during the inaugural 1975 World Cup. In India’s opening match against England, while the opposition piled up 334 runs, Gavaskar responded with an inexplicably slow knock of 36 from 174 deliveries. Despite repeated messages from teammates urging him to either accelerate or get out, Gavaskar stubbornly continued at his own pace.
That defiance, whether admired or criticized, summed up Sunil Gavaskar: a man who played by his own rules and changed Indian cricket forever.
When Sunil Gavaskar refused to meet India’s Prime Minister
Long before Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, or Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar was the face of Indian cricket. The first man to score 10,000 Test runs, he was fearless against the fastest bowlers of his era—Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, and the legendary West Indian pace quartet. Gavaskar’s technique, temperament, and sheer willpower made him the alpha of Indian cricket, a player who commanded respect and often did things his own way.
Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri recalled incidents that highlighted Gavaskar’s unique mindset. During the inaugural 1975 World Cup, Gavaskar scored a painstaking 36 off 174 balls against England. Despite repeated messages to accelerate or get out, he persisted, explaining later that he was practicing for upcoming Test matches. This stubbornness caused turmoil in the dressing room, but Gavaskar remained unshaken.
Ghavri also recounted an anecdote involving then-Prime Minister Morarji Desai during a Test against Australia at Feroz Shah Kotla. The PM arrived late for a scheduled meet-and-greet with the players. Gavaskar, padded up and focused, refused to step out, prioritizing his concentration over protocol. He went on to bat till tea, scoring runs, unaware that the PM had specifically come to meet him.
From his fearless approach against fast bowling to moments like these, Gavaskar defined an era of Indian cricket. His confidence, focus, and ability to command the dressing room cemented his status as a true champion, a player who played by his own rules and left a lasting legacy.