Sunil Gavaskar

Born in Mumbai on July 10, 1949, Sunil Manohar Gavaskar made his Test debut in March 1971 during India's historic tour of the West Indies. Affectionately nicknamed "Sunny" and hailed as the "Little Master," he introduced himself to the world with a staggering 774 runs in his debut four-Test series, setting a world record for the highest aggregate by a player in their debut Test series. Across 125 Test matches, Gavaskar accumulated 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12, including 34 centuries and 45 fifties, headlined by a career-best 236 not out against the West Indies in Chennai. He etched his name in history as the first player ever to break the 10,000-run barrier in Test cricket, standing tall unhelmeted against fierce fast-bowling attacks worldwide.

In One-Day Internationals, Gavaskar adapted his rock-solid technique into a dependable opening presence during the format's early evolution. Over 108 ODIs, he scored 3,092 runs at an average of 35.13 with 1 century and 27 fifties, while also playing an integral role in India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning campaign. His white-ball career saw its finest hour during the 1987 World Cup against New Zealand at Nagpur, where he smashed a blistering 88-ball 103 not out to record his maiden ODI hundred while running a high temperature. Defined by flawless technical judgment, an impregnable forward defense, and crisp late flicks, Gavaskar set the standard for top-order discipline against the world's most formidable quicks.

Taking over the national captaincy in 1978, Gavaskar led India in 47 Test matches (9 wins) and 37 ODIs (14 wins) while instilling a fierce sense of tactical discipline in Indian cricket. Under his leadership, India achieved a historic 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in 1979–80 and captured the prestigious World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985. His international career was highlighted by personal masterclasses, none finer than his majestic 221 in the fourth innings at The Oval in 1979, which nearly powered India to a record-breaking Test chase of 438 against England. Throughout his playing career, he demonstrated to a developing cricket nation that Indian batters could go toe-to-toe with the world's most dangerous bowling lineups.

Beyond his prowess with the bat, Gavaskar was a slip-catching virtuoso, becoming the first Indian fielder (excluding wicketkeepers) to take 100 Test catches before finishing with 108 Test catches and 22 ODI catches. After retiring from playing in 1987, he seamlessly transitioned into a globally respected broadcaster, ICC administrator, and brief interim BCCI President. His sharp commentary and authoritative writing have kept him at the absolute center of global cricket discourse for over three decades. Beyond his 13,214 international runs and 35 international centuries, the Little Master's enduring legacy is that he provided Indian cricket with its foundational self-belief and technical gold standard.