Reliving Sunil Gavaskar's final Test

The Indian opener bowed out of Test cricket in the fifth match of the series against Pakistan in Bangalore.

Photo: S. Kothandaraman

The pre-eminent Indian opener during the best part of two decades, Sunil Gavaskar attracted renown for his ‘complete’ package as a batsman. In the era of menacing fast bowlers from across the world, Gavaskar excelled against all classes of bowling attacks. The first batsman to score 10,000 runs, he played his last Test in 1987 against Pakistan in Bangalore, 30 years ago.

Photo: T. A. Hafeez

After gaining a lead in the first innings in Gavaskar’s final Test, India was given a target of 221 for victory. At the end of Day Three (March 15), India was precariously positioned at 99 for 4, with Gavaskar unbeaten on 51. Here, he wipes his forehead trudging back to the dressing room at stumps.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

After the rest day on March 16, Gavaskar returned to shoulder India’s responsibility. He scored 96 before falling to left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim; his dismissal left Pakistan needing only two more wickets to win. Eventually, India was bowled out for 204, losing the Test by 16 runs.

Photo: N. Sridharan

Here, Sriraman, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), gives away the Man of the Match award to Gavaskar. Gavaskar continued to play One-Day Internationals till the World Cup later that year.

1 / 0

The pre-eminent Indian opener during the best part of two decades, Sunil Gavaskar attracted renown for his ‘complete’ package as a batsman. In the era of menacing fast bowlers from across the world, Gavaskar excelled against all classes of bowling attacks. The first batsman to score 10,000 runs, he played his last Test in 1987 against Pakistan in Bangalore, 30 years ago.