July can also be named as the “month of skippers”. While Dhoni and Dada, celebrated their birthdays on consecutive days, July 10 marks the arrival of Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.
Former Indian skipper and opener Sunil Gavaskar turns 69 today and as usual, the social media is flooded with the wishes for the little man.
Gavaskar became the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in the longest format of the game. He started making an impact right from his debut when he amassed over 700 runs in the overseas series against Windies. He can now be spotted as an expert/commentator in the matches involving India. He marks his presence in both English and Hindi commentary boxes.
In his times, Gavaskar established himself as a trustworthy opener and as a nightmare for the opposition. He has several records to his name with the prominent one being his truckload of runs with 34 centuries
Though Indian batting struggled in the overseas conditions, the class exhibited by Gavaskar was highlighted by many. Those days, without helmets he used to fearlessly face the bowlers and its something that can be cherished by the Indian cricket fans. His autobiography “Sunny days” is one of the best selling books where he shared his in and off-field experiences.
Those were the times when K Srikanth, Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amaranth and several other legends shared the dressing room with the little man and the outcome was the 1983 World Cup triumph which still remains as one of the best moments in Indian cricket.
Twitter went wild as several cricketers and experts wished Sunil Gavaskar on his day :
Wishing the man with a flair, batting maestro, the little master – Mr. Sunil Gavaskar a very Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/lrfuN0MApi
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2018
Birthday Greetings to my childhood hero and inspiration, Sunil Gavaskar. Playing fearlessly against the most fearsome bowlers in their own conditions, he instilled courage and belief in many young Indian batsmen. Have a great day and year ahead, Sunny Bhai pic.twitter.com/Odv84zHKPA
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 10, 2018
आपल्या कौशल्यपूर्ण खेळीने क्रिकेटच्या मैदानावर असंख्य सामने जिंकून, चाहत्यांची मने जिंकणार्या, महान क्रिकेटपटू, Sunil Gavaskar, यांना वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा. तुम्हाला पुढील वर्ष सुखाचे जावो. pic.twitter.com/R2TXZEafqA
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 10, 2018
Today, #SunnySideUp ,for a man who taught a- not very high on confidence generation , 'Fusfusana Band-India bano Dabanng'. He was truly a Dabanng for his courage to face bowlers who looked like killing you,without any fear and protective gear.
Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar. pic.twitter.com/UDxL12QsrQ— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 10, 2018
Birthday greetings to the legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 10, 2018
One of the finest openers of all time.
The first man to pass 10,000 Test runs.
A stunning 34 Test centuries.Happy birthday to one of India's true legends, Sunil Gavaskar! pic.twitter.com/hAaKsW3A42
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2018
For all his many great achievements , the one that stays with me is off the field: when Sunil Gavaskar stared down a mob during the 92-93 communal riots to save a family! Truly the Little Master! Happy birthday sir!😄👍 https://t.co/feJgkGshSD
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 10, 2018
To the #legend of Indian Cricket, Mr.Sunil Gavaskar- wishing you a very happy birthday sir… #HappyBirthdaySunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/iBbWOqthO9
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) July 10, 2018
You watched Tendulkar bat on television, we heard Gavaskar bat on the radio. On a crackling Philips transistor, often from far away lands.
Tendulkar batted and gave us joy, Gavaskar battled for our self respect.
Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, my hero. Sixty nine today.— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday Little Master Sunil Gavaskar. Wishes for a healthy, happy and long life.
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday to the man who inspired a generation of Cricket lovers. The man who defined a new era in batsmanship with his courage and skills. Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar sir ! pic.twitter.com/WxyXk6AiGg
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 10, 2018
With a bat in the hand or a mic, it's always Sunny when Gavaskar's around! 🌞
Here's to the Little Master – #HappyBirthdayGavaskar! pic.twitter.com/vVQSRIpPyo
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 10, 2018
Wishing the legend, Sunil Gavaskar Ji, a very happy birthday. You’ve been an inspiration to many, wish you all the happiness in life.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 10, 2018
A Little Master who stands tall with his achievements on the cricket field. #HappyBirthday legend Sunil Gavaskar. You're only getting younger every year.
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) July 10, 2018
"Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar! Where's the party?"
SG: There's enough room outside the off-stump.. somewhere there..
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar
Happy Birthday Sunil Gavaskar— Sagar (@sagarcasm) July 10, 2018
First to 10,000 Test Runs…World Cup Winner…Wisden Cricketer of the Year…Fearless vs the most lethal bowlers in their own den…and an absolute professional to work with in front of the camera & behind the mic!
Happy Birthday to the inspirational Sunil Gavaskar! #SunnyBhai pic.twitter.com/DX4s4AY0Ae
— Suhail Chandhok (@suhailchandhok) July 10, 2018
🎂 Happy Birthday to one of India's finest ever batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar!
✅ The first man to pass 10,000 Test runs.
✅ 34 Test 100s.
✅ On the Lord's Honours Boards.#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/7ipoMP4cMG
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday to the batting maestro #SunilGavaskar sir! You made the life easier for the past, present and future generations batsmen by decoding the batting technique 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/pPsjcAXqkh
— Murali Vijay (@mvj888) July 10, 2018
Birthday wishes to the #legend Sir SunilGavaskar!! Forever a super star !!🏏🏏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Ak0RKLNB6z
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday, Sunil Gavaskar
-First man to score 10000 Test runs
-Scored 774 runs in his debut series v WI (1971)
-Scored 100s in each inns of Test – thrice
-Only batsman to score double hundreds in all 4 innings in Tests
-Only ODI & Test wkt:Zaheer Abbas#HappyBirthdayGavaskar pic.twitter.com/sB10mVByy1— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 10, 2018
Thank you for being at the strikers end when I opened my commentary innings! Happy Birthday #SunilGavaskar #legend pic.twitter.com/9i9nXHJLQR
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) July 10, 2018
The little master turns a year older today. Here’s wishing the legendary #SunilGavaskar a very happy birthday, the man who changed the course of Indian Cricket forever. #HappyBirthdaySunilGavaskar 🎂🎉
Image Courtesy: @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/YkLM2DUgq2
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday to Sunil Gavaskar, the first to 10,000 runs in Test cricket!#HappyBirthDaySunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/yABiyUOHTL
— DD Sports – National Games 2022 🇮🇳 (@ddsportschannel) July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday to Indian legend and veteran commentator, #SunilGavaskar! 🎂
Here's to many more Sunny Days ahead! 😀 pic.twitter.com/akRxdyD8AH
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 10, 2018
One of the finest batsmen that the world has ever seen! Here’s wishing #SunilGavaskar aka Little Master a very happy birthday! #83TheFilm pic.twitter.com/YnkKdXekqc
— Reliance Entertainment (@RelianceEnt) July 10, 2018
A very happy bday to the man who had given Indian cricket teeth and muscle. He changed it all in 1971. #SunilGavaskar the legacy is unrivalled. Have a great year.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) July 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/Sudhir10dulkar/status/1016154223631724544
A legend like no other. My favourite❤️ He continues to give us major fitness goals! My father's childhood hero. Birthday wishes for #SunilGavaskar sir! Ex-Indian captain. 34 centuries to his credit. First man to pass 10,000 test runs. The record breaking icon of Indian cricket! pic.twitter.com/6ux2beJ8ln
— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) July 10, 2018
The Little Master before the Master Blaster, happiest birthday to #SunilGavaskar, a record-holder and a trophy-hoarder. Read: https://t.co/7ZbMc0hnD1#HappyBirthdaySunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/4yNclhCgGy
— Tata Play (@TataPlayin) July 10, 2018
A former #Indian international #cricketer & having set world records for the most Test runs & most Test centuries scored by any batsman, he is regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in test cricket history. Best wishes to Sh. Sunil Gavaskar ji on his birthday. pic.twitter.com/rfsH8J1Yl2
— Dr. C.P. Joshi (@drcpjoshi) July 10, 2018
Heartfelt greetings to great Indian former cricketer Shri Sunil Gavaskar ji on his birthday. May God bless you with good health and happiness. pic.twitter.com/AHe5ufb0eF
— Eknath Khadse (@EknathGKhadse) July 10, 2018
This lyrics of the song still rhymes in my head as I think of a perfect tribute to the little master..
“It was Gavaskar
De real master
Just like a wall
We couldn't out Gavaskar at all, not at all…”
Happy birthday, Sir! #SunilGavaskar pic.twitter.com/tBN4n6t3Z1— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) July 10, 2018