Sunil Gavaskar is regarded as one of the best batters all time. He played at a time when it was not easy to score runs, where pitches used to equally favour batters and bowlers, and there were no set of rules to restrict the bowler. And he overcame all of it with sheer class, sublime technique to be the best batter of pace bowling.

He ruled the world of cricket for a long period of time. He was always fascinated by the gentlemen’s game, but his maternal uncle, Madhav Mantri had a long lasting impression on him. When Sunil was a kid, he once wore his uncle’s India cap, and got schooled by Mantri who said that the cap is earned, and not taken. And Mantri’s favourite nephew, earned his cap and became India’s favourite.

Little Master contributed to India’s success right on his debut, as his twin half-centuries helped India win their first ever Test match against West Indies. He followed it by centuries in every remaining match in the same series. In the 5th match of the same series, he scored a century and a double century in the same match, making him the only India to do so in history. He amassed 774 runs in the series, becoming the only batter to score 700 plus runs in his debut series. His heroics in the series helped India win their first ever test series against giant West Indies.

And since his debut series, he went on to contribute immensely to Indian cricket. He served Indian team for a period of 17 years and massively helped the team to scale newer heights. He was a part of many historic wins for the country, including the 1983 world cup win. And while doing so, he shattered many records, becoming one of the greatest players of all time.

He could do it all because of his immense concentration. His focus levels were so high that most of his colleagues and opponents were left awestruck by his concentration. His high levels of concentration reflected in his shots like “late flick”, which very few players excelled. It gave him an added advantage to face pace bowling.

His focus was the key to his sublime technique. He was a great batter both on front foot as well as backfoot. Therefore he used to face spinners on turning tracks, and pacers on bouncy tracks with equal might. A result of his focus levels and technique was his ability to bat on for long period without helmets, against most fearsome bowling line-ups.

The class of Little Master is evident in the fact that he was most successful against the giant West Indies, who boasted of the most ferocious bowlers. He had the most number of centuries by any player against the West Indies. What made it even more special was the fact that he scored most of those on the bouncy Caribbean wickets, against the bowlers who breathed fire. He was epitome of class, and fearlessness.

His fearlessness also reflects in his commentary. He is as good a commentator and an analyst, as he was a batter. He doesn’t mind to criticise the players of Indian team in the star-studded culture. He openly disagrees to the richest board’s decision if it does not go in the favour of improving cricket. He is not afraid to speak his mind, unlike many other former players. It’s because he was always the most fearless player. And when he retired, le left a legacy of being the best player.

His legacy was unmatched. He inspired an entire generation to play cricket. His records were unmatched. It looked like no one is ever going to break his records, until Sachin Tendulkar, one of the kids who was inspired by Gavaskar, broke those. And for many like God of cricket, Sunil Gavaskar was inspiration and the reason why they took the sport.

Sunil Gavaskar will always be in the heart of cricket fans. His passion and love for the game is unmatched. He played during the time when money was not remotely involved in the game, yet he played, and ruled the game of cricket. His love for the game turned a kid wearing his uncle’s cap, into a legend whose legacy no one can match. His love for country and cricket was evident when he was in tears saying he wants to see Kapil Dev lifting 1983 world cup, and MS Dhoni hitting six to win 2011 world cup during his last moments. That moment brought tears in the eyes of Indian fans. He is Sunil Gavaskar, epitome of class, concentration, fearlessness, love for the game. He is a living legend. We wish the living legend a very happy 74th birthday. And we wish to see him reach his hundred. Thank you Little Master.