Wishes pour in to wish the legend Sunil Gavaskar on his 68th birthday

Batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar turns 68 years today. Currently a part of the commentary team, Gavaskar was regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. The former opener also became the first ever player to amass 10000 runs in Test cricket, a milestone which stayed with him for six years.

What separates him from the rest is that he distinguished himself as a great in a team which lacked the power. Cricket was nowhere near famous during those times. In spite of the legacy of individuals like Vinoo Mankad, Vijay Merchant or Polly Umrigar, cricket wasn’t embraced as much by the masses.

It was Gavaskar’s string of performances which made the nation believe. There was a time where the crowds would be happy watching the master toil hard and maybe score a century since India weren’t expected to win. Boundaries hit, centuries scored, the crowd would return home satisfied. An Indian victory didn’t matter much.

As Harsha Bhogle says, ‘To a country starved of self-respect, Gavaskar was a godsend.” He scored a magnificent 10122 runs in his Test career with a record 34 centuries which was broken by another master and legend Sachin Tendulkar, 18 years later.

Sunny Gavaskar as he’s referred to, in the Indian cricketing circles successfully saw a transition during his career. From India being minnows to champions. He wasn’t a great limited-overs batsman but was an integral part of the 1983 World Cup winning squad, a tournament that changed the face of Indian cricket for decades to follow.

Social media was quite lit and showered him with wishes on his birthday. Right from Virender Sehwag and Mohammed Kaif to the official ICC and BCCI handles, they all wished loads of happiness to the legend.

CricTracker wishes Sunil Gavaskar a really happy birthday.

Happy Birthday to Indian Cricket Legend Mr. Sunil Gavaskar. May the year bring in lots of success and happiness. pic.twitter.com/lVE0cbrhzx

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 10, 2017

Here's wishing the legend, Sunil Gavaskar a very happy birthday! #TeamIndia #Legend pic.twitter.com/TAkImhhBvQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2017

Happy Birthday to one of the all-time great batsman, Sunil Gavaskar! In 233 matches across Tests and ODIs he scored an amazing 13,214 runs! pic.twitter.com/1rid0MpUXb

— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2017

Happy 68th Gavaskar! Brought class & poise to Indian cricket, gave it spine & ambition. Would there have been Tendulkar if there was no SMG? pic.twitter.com/mLTar131h5

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 10, 2017

Happy Birthday to one of the best and most daring batsman ever, Sunil Gavaskar Sir. Watching film Maalamaal to see you in a different avatar pic.twitter.com/my6rmq1l8X

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 10, 2017

Great people come in short packages. Happy Birthday to one of the greatest Indians to walk on the cricket field, Sunil Manohar Gavaskar. pic.twitter.com/QIMvVG5b5h

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 10, 2017

Wishing dear Sunil Gavaskar a very "Happy Birthday", God Bless! pic.twitter.com/joXKEHzSSy

— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) July 10, 2017

Happy Birthday to the first man who climbed the 10K mountain in International cricket. #Legend #ChampionBatsman pic.twitter.com/9T3qXqM1CC

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 10, 2017