We take a look at Sunil Gavaskar’s glorious career as one of the greatest openers in Test cricket turns 60 today.

By Rajesh Kumar

In August 1979, Gavaskar had played one of his greatest innings (221) in Tests, against England at the Oval, as India failed by just nine runs to reach a fourth-inning target of 438 to beat England. The innings is still the highest by an Indian player in England.

Relive the Sunny story in pics

Gavaskar is still remembered for his record-breaking knocks in his debut series. He holds a world record for aggregating 774 (avg 154.80) in four Tests in his debut series against West Indies in the Caribbean in 1970-71.

The ‘Little Master' also jointly shares a world record for most 100s (4) in a debut series. West Indies', George Headley, had also registered four tons in his debut series against England in 1929-30.

Gavaskar's run aggregate of 2749 (avg 65.45) in 27 Tests is a record by any batsman against West Indies and his tally of 13 centuries is a record by any batsman against West Indies. When he drew alongside Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, Gavaskar had the modesty to admit: "I am obviously very pleased, but I do not regard this as equalling his record. Bradman scored his runs in 52 Test matches, and I am playing my 95th."

He is one of the only two batsmen in the history of Test cricket to have recorded a 100 in each innings of a Test match on three occasions. Australia's current skipper Ricky Ponting is the other one.

Gavaskar is the only Indian to register a hundred and a double hundred in the same Test - 124 and 220 against West Indies at Port of Spain in 1970-71. His 220 is a record by an Indian batsman for the highest individual innings in the West Indies.

Test record:

Want to wish Sunil Gavaskar on his birthday? Write in to us at fanspeak@espnstar.co.in

Kishore Kumar (Pakistan): Dear Gavaskar, many many happy returns of the day. I am a big fan of yours because your are genius cricketer.

Ravi Kumar Peri: I am proud to be in your times. There were, are and will be many great cricket players, but there is only one legend and that is Gavaskar. Not only your play but also your autobiographical works are a source of inspiration. Please write more about yourself. So far its only the period from 1978 to 84 that you have written about. As Sarvapalli Radha Krishnan is called philosopher statesman, you are the philosopher cricketer. Many good wishes to you.