test2wa

India Domestic

India's various cricketing icons wish Sunil Gavaskar on his 60th birthday and share some unforgettable memories.

As one of India's favourite son, 'Little Master' Sunil Gavaskar, turns a milestone today, his former colleagues wish him all the best.

Gundappa Rangnath Viswanath:

We are all celebrating his birthday at Puttaparthi, seeking the blessings of Saibaba. All the family members have gathered here. I personally wish Sunny a very happy birthday. I wish Sunny, who scored many tons in cricket, a complete a century in his real life. He is a true legend. I think the whole life will not be enough to discuss his exploits. 

I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to play alongside him.  We played top level cricket together for over a decade and a half. It was pure joy to watch Sunny handle the finest of the fast bowlers. I don't remember if there was any bowler who could really trouble him. He was a truly gifted cricketer.

It is very difficult to single out a particular innings of the great man. But if I were to mention two of his special knocks, I think it would be the hundred he made in Manchester on a grassy wicket and his 221 at Oval when India came nine runs short of making history.

The greatest aspect of Sunny is that even after 22 years of hanging up his boots he continues to be the role model he was. He is the true blue icon. He is highly respected everywhere for the simple reason that he has been a disciplined person all through his life.

Ajit Wadekar:

There was a time when people feared facing the West Indies pace battery. And that was the time when Sunil shattered the myth. His extraordinary batting skills as an opener, who could unnerve the fastest of the lot, Sunil scored most of his centuries against the West Indies. It is not ironical that with 13 centuries against the West Indians he puts to shade the six tons scored by English opener Len Hutton.

I remember, as the captain of the historic squad, we all were praying in the dressing room that Sunil should not score a century on debut.

That was because Indian batsmen were caught in the Test debut jinx till Gundappa Vishwanath came along.

Shivlal Yadav:

It was an honour to play along side a living legend. I remember an innings in Adelaide when I partnered him as a tail-ender and helped India avoid a defeat.

When I look back, I feel it was my good luck that I played with the finest of the cricketers in Sunny and Vishy.

I never had the opportunity to bowl to Sunil Gavaskar, one of my childhood heroes, in big matches. But I remember I bowled to him in some exhibition matches. I think he was the most difficult batsman to get out.

Thank God, I got the chance to play with him and bowl to him.

-- As told to Sudeer Mahavaadi

Send in your birthday wishes for the legend to fanspeak@espnstar.co.in

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