On July 29, 2025, we celebrate the legacy of Sunil Gavaskar, a name that shines brightly in the world of cricket. He is known as the "Little Master" for his small height and big achievements. Sunil Gavaskar was born on July 10, 1949, in Mumbai, India. He became one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. His journey from a young boy playing in the streets of Mumbai to a cricket legend is inspiring. This article tells the story of his life in simple words. It covers his childhood, career, achievements, and life after cricket.
Early Life And Family
Sunil Gavaskar grew up in a middle-class family in Mumbai. His father, Manohar Gavaskar, was a lawyer who loved cricket. His mother, Meenal, supported his dreams. Sunil was the eldest of two children. From a young age, he loved playing cricket. Mumbai is a city crazy about cricket, and Sunil played in local matches. His uncle, Madhav Mantri, was a famous Test cricketer. This inspired Sunil to take the game seriously. As a child, he played with a tennis ball in narrow lanes. These games helped him learn how to hit the ball well.
Sunil went to St. Xavier’s High School in Mumbai. The school was known for its cricket team. Sunil was a star player there. He scored many runs in school matches. In 1966, he was named India’s Best Schoolboy Cricketer. He scored 246 not out, 222, and 85 in his final school year. These big scores showed his talent. He also hit a century against a team from London. This made people notice him. Sunil’s hard work and love for cricket were clear even then.
Sunil Gavaskar Age, Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Son, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunil Manohar Gavaskar |
| Nickname | Little Master, Sunny |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 1949 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, India |
| Family | Father: Manohar Gavaskar (lawyer, cricket lover); Mother: Meenal Gavaskar; Son: Rohan Gavaskar (cricketer) |
| Education | St. Xavier’s High School and College, Mumbai |
| Early Cricket | Played street cricket, star in school team, Best Schoolboy Cricketer (1966) |
| First-Class Debut | Vazir Sultan Colts XI, 1966 |
| International Debut | Test: March 6, 1971 vs. West Indies, Port of Spain |
| Test Career | 125 matches (1971–1987), 10,122 runs, 34 centuries (world record until 2005), 108 catches |
| ODI Career | 108 matches, 3,092 runs, 1 century |
| Captaincy | Captain in 47 Tests; won 1984 Asia Cup & 1985 World Championship of Cricket |
| Batting Style | Right-handed, strong defense, known for cover drives and cut shots, fearless against fast bowlers |
| Major Records | First Indian to 10,000 Test runs, double century abroad (1971), 127* carrying bat (1983), 34 Test centuries (world record until 2005) |
| Awards | Best Schoolboy Cricketer (1966); Arjuna Award (1975); Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1980); Padma Bhushan (1980); Padma Shri (1994); C.K. Nayudu Award (2003, 2012); ICC Hall of Fame (2009); Sunil Gavaskar Field in Louisville, USA (2017) |
| Retirement | Last Test: 1987 vs. Pakistan, Bangalore (scored 96) |
| Post-Retirement | Commentator, columnist, author (e.g., "Sunny Days"), actor (Kabhi Ajnabi The, 1985), TV shows |
| Hobbies | Loves music, guitar, reading, book collecting |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Legacy | Made Indian cricket stronger, inspired young players, regarded as a fearless batsman and leader |
First-Class Debut
At 17, Sunil played his first big match for Vazir Sultan Colts XI in 1966. It was a first-class game. He did not play for Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team right away. He waited for two years. But he kept practicing. His coach, Ramakant Achrekar, helped him a lot. Achrekar taught him how to face fast bowlers. Sunil practiced for hours on Mumbai’s maidans (open grounds). His hard work paid off. He joined the Mumbai Under-19 team. He led them to many wins. This opened the door to the Indian national team.
International Debut
In 1971, Sunil got a big chance. He was picked to play for India against the West Indies. The West Indies had very fast bowlers. Many batsmen were scared of them. Sunil’s first Test match was on March 6, 1971, in Port of Spain. He could not play the first game because of an injury. But in the next four matches, he scored 774 runs. This was a huge number. He scored a double century, becoming the first Indian to do so abroad. India won the series. Sunil became a hero in India.
Sunil’s batting style was special. He was only 5 feet 5 inches tall, but he was fearless. He had great focus. He could bat for hours without making mistakes. His defense was very strong. He knew when to leave the ball. He played with a straight bat. This helped him face fast bowlers like Andy Roberts and Michael Holding. Sunil was also good at hitting shots like the cover drive and cut. He was not flashy but very effective. His style helped India win many matches.
Test Career
Sunil played 125 Test matches from 1971 to 1987. He scored 10,122 runs. His average was 51.12, which is very good. He made 34 Test centuries. This was a world record until Sachin Tendulkar broke it in 2005. Sunil was the first player to score 10,000 Test runs. He did this in 1987. He also played 108 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and scored 3,092 runs. In 1983, he carried his bat (stayed not out) in a Test match in Faisalabad, scoring 127. This was a rare feat. He was also a great fielder, taking 108 catches.
Sunil was captain of India in 47 Test matches. He led with a bold style. Under him, India won the 1984 Asia Cup and the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. These were big wins for India. But he faced challenges as captain. Sometimes, the team did not do well. He was replaced by Kapil Dev for a while. Still, Sunil never gave up. He kept scoring runs. In 1987, he played his last Test match against Pakistan in Bangalore. He scored 96 runs on a tough pitch. It was a brave innings, but India lost.
After retiring, Sunil did not leave cricket. He became a commentator. His voice is famous on TV. He explains the game in a simple way. Fans love listening to him. He also wrote for newspapers. His columns are honest and smart. He wrote books too. His autobiography, *Sunny Days*, tells his story. Other books like *Idols* and *One Day Wonders* are also popular. In 1999, he released *The Sunil Gavaskar Omnibus*, which combined his books. He even wrote a book in Hindi called *Khel aur Khiladi*.
Awards
Sunil received many awards. He got the Arjuna Award in 1975. In 1980, he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year. In 1980, he received the Padma Bhushan, a high honor in India. In 2009, he joined the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. In 2012, he got the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the BCCI. These awards show how much people respect him. In 2017, a cricket field in Louisville, USA, was named after him. This was a proud moment for India.
Sunil’s life was not without problems. In 2008, he faced a controversy. He worked with the ICC but also wrote columns. In one column, he talked about a match issue involving Harbhajan Singh. He suggested there was unfair treatment. The ICC asked him to stop writing or leave his ICC job. Sunil chose to keep writing. He always spoke his mind. This made him both loved and criticized. But he stayed true to himself.
Hobbies
Off the field, Sunil has a fun side. He loves music and plays the guitar. He enjoys reading books. His collection includes many subjects. He also acted in a movie called *Kabhi Ajnabi The* in 1985. He appeared in a TV show in 1987 called *The Grand Knockout Tournament*. These show he is more than just a cricketer. He is a person with many interests. He also loves spending time with his family. His son, Rohan Gavaskar, played cricket too.
Life Story
Sunil Gavaskar’s story is about hard work and talent. He came from a simple family but reached the top. He faced the world’s best bowlers without fear. His records stood for years. He made India proud. Even today, young cricketers look up to him. His technique and focus are lessons for all. He showed that size does not matter if you have skill and heart.
Sunil’s legacy lives on. He helped Indian cricket grow strong. Before him, India struggled against big teams. He taught his team to believe in themselves. He made Indian cricket professional. His name is written in history as the first to score 10,000 Test runs. He is a hero not just in India but around the world. Cricket fans still talk about his 221 against England in 1979 or his 96 against Pakistan in 1987. These innings show his grit.
In conclusion, Sunil Gavaskar is a true legend. His life shows that dreams can come true with effort. From Mumbai’s streets to world stadiums, he won hearts. He was not just a batsman but a leader, writer, and speaker. His story inspires kids to pick up a bat and play. Even at 76, his love for cricket is alive. India will always remember the Little Master who stood tall.