Former India batter Chandu Borde remembers the anticipation that surrounded Gavaskar’s entry into worldwide cricket.”Gavaskar made his debut two years after my retirement. However we had already been informed by (late) Ajit Wadekar a couple of proficient Bombay boy who might make numerous runs for India. Did not he make numerous runs,” Borde was quoted as saying by PTI.
Gavaskar’s success in cricket is commonly attributed to his unequalled focus and watertight method. Borde remarked, “It is his focus and a water-tight method. I’ve not seen a greater stance than that of him, and he watched the ball so carefully. In fact, he might play many of the pictures however used them correctly. He was a really sensible batsman, knew what to do when.”
The legendary efficiency in the course of the 1971 West Indies sequence was commemorated in a Calypso by ‘Lord Relator,’ with the lyrics, “It was Gavaskar. De actual grasp. Identical to a wall. We could not out Gavaskar in any respect, in no way,” capturing the essence of his masterful batting.
Gavaskar is widely known for his battles in opposition to famend pacers equivalent to Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, and Imran Khan. Nonetheless, his ability in opposition to spinners additionally stands out. He rated England’s Derek Underwood because the hardest spinner he confronted and successfully countered different proficient spinners like Abdul Qadir and Tauseef Ahmed of Pakistan, and John Emburey from England.
Former Indian middle-order batter Mohinder Amarnath acknowledges Gavaskar’s technical prowess in opposition to spin. “Sunny had sensible footwork, and will use gentle palms (in opposition to spin). Since he used to look at the ball very carefully, he might play spinners late and he by no means actually acquired into awkward positions in opposition to them,” Amarnath acknowledged.
Gavaskar additionally confirmed his capacity to dominate bowlers when mandatory. He famously hit a six off Malcolm Marshall to equal Sir Donald Bradman’s then world file of 29 Check lots of. His sole ODI century, a quick-fire 103 runs in opposition to New Zealand in the course of the 1987 World Cup, got here off simply 88 balls.
Former Mumbai batter Milind Rege believes Gavaskar’s defensive model in worldwide cricket was a product of his occasions. “Maybe, the necessity of that point pressured Gavaskar to go defensive whereas enjoying for India. However he might at all times dominate assaults and he usually did that within the home circuit. He might pull and hook with as a lot ease as anybody else,” Rege remarked.
