On this day in 1987: Sunil Gavaskar becomes the first to score 10K Test runs
Sunil Gavaskar is one of the finest batters to have played the game at the highest level and has made tremendous contributions individually as well as for India on the 22 yards in his illustrious career that lasted for 16 years. Gavaskar was also known for his fearless batting as he faced the lethal pace attack around the world including the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Geoff Thompson, Dennis Lillee, etc. As far as his batting records are concerned, it was on this very day in 1987 that he shattered a world record that was very unique in that era.
When Sunil Gavaskar entered the 10,000 club in Test cricket
Sunil Manohar Gavaskar achieved this feat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the fourth Test match that was played in Ahmedabad. Pakistan posted 395 runs on the board riding on a superb 105 from Ijaz Faqih. Opening the innings for India, the elegant batter scored 63 before being caught plumb in front of the wicket by skipper Imran Khan.
Nonetheless, when the Mumbai cricketer scored 58, the spectators thronged to the field to congratulate him as he became the first-ever batter to breach the 10,000 run-mark in the longest format.
It took the 1983 World Cup winner took 124 matches and 212 innings to reach the milestone and this was the penultimate Test of his career as he would go on to retire from the traditional format after the home series against Imran Khan & Co. Gavaskar finished his career with 10,122 runs from 125 Test appearances.
Coming back to the contest, even though the Ahmedabad Test match ended in a stalemate, Pakistan had the last laugh as they won the fifth and final Test by 16 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore to seal the series 1-0.
Gavaskar continued playing ODIs till the end of 1987 as India defended their World Cup in the sub-continent. However, a 35-run loss to England in the semifinal ended their campaign and along with that, the Little Master’s career at the highest level also came to an end.
