NEW DELHI: Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday, with tributes pouring in from across the border and Pakistan greats calling him the “original batting don” of Indian cricket.
Gavaskar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, received birthday wishes from his former opponents including Pakistan batsmen greats Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mustaq Muhammad, Sadiq Muhammad, Shoaib Muhammad, Mohsin Khan and Iqbal Qasim.
“Now that you have completed 75 prayers, you will continue on your great path in life,” Zaheer Abbas told PTI.
Though Gavaskar no longer plays cricket, Zaheer said he is happy that he continues to work as a prominent commentator.
“His insight into the game is invaluable as is his batting. He was the original batting don of Indian cricket. I learnt a lot just from watching him batting up close,” he said.
Zaheer said the main reason Indian cricket has produced great batsmen like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar over the years is because they idolised Gavaskar.
Miandhod maintained that Gavaskar is not only a good batsman but also a better person and the two have faced each other on the field many times.
“I remember his words of encouragement to the Pakistan team during the 1992 World Cup, which inspired us.”
Miandad said he had always admired Gavaskar’s batting style.
“Whenever we played against each other, his wickets were the most valuable wickets. His wickets were priceless. I wish him all the best on his birthday.”
Mustaq Muhammad, former Pakistan captain and leader of the legendary 1977 series in which Gavaskar amassed huge runs in Test matches, recalled that his main aim was to find gaps in Gavaskar’s batting.
“We all belong to the same era and I am happy that Gavaskar is celebrating his 75th birthday. I wish him all the best,” he said over the phone.
“Gavaskar and Bishen Singh Bedi were pillars of Indian cricket in the 70s,” Mustaq added.
Shoaib Muhammad, nephew of Pakistan’s minor maestro Hanif Muhammad and a close friend of Mustaq, also sent birthday wishes to Gavaskar.
Shoaib narrated a story of how his father, who considered Gavaskar one of the greatest batsmen of his time, would always advise him to study Gavaskar’s batting style.
“Gavaskar sir had a lot of respect and esteem for my father and I respected that,” he added.
Recalling Gavaskar’s easy-going interaction with the Pakistan players, Mohsin Khan said the attention and focus of the Indian batsmen was incredible.
“Whether it was Karachi, Mumbai or Sharjah, when I played against him he was like a wall when he batted. He played a big role in the development of Sharjah cricket. I wish him all the best,” he said.
Gavaskar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, received birthday wishes from his former opponents including Pakistan batsmen greats Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mustaq Muhammad, Sadiq Muhammad, Shoaib Muhammad, Mohsin Khan and Iqbal Qasim.
“Now that you have completed 75 prayers, you will continue on your great path in life,” Zaheer Abbas told PTI.
Though Gavaskar no longer plays cricket, Zaheer said he is happy that he continues to work as a prominent commentator.
“His insight into the game is invaluable as is his batting. He was the original batting don of Indian cricket. I learnt a lot just from watching him batting up close,” he said.
Zaheer said the main reason Indian cricket has produced great batsmen like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar over the years is because they idolised Gavaskar.
Miandhod maintained that Gavaskar is not only a good batsman but also a better person and the two have faced each other on the field many times.
“I remember his words of encouragement to the Pakistan team during the 1992 World Cup, which inspired us.”
Miandad said he had always admired Gavaskar’s batting style.
“Whenever we played against each other, his wickets were the most valuable wickets. His wickets were priceless. I wish him all the best on his birthday.”
Mustaq Muhammad, former Pakistan captain and leader of the legendary 1977 series in which Gavaskar amassed huge runs in Test matches, recalled that his main aim was to find gaps in Gavaskar’s batting.
“We all belong to the same era and I am happy that Gavaskar is celebrating his 75th birthday. I wish him all the best,” he said over the phone.
“Gavaskar and Bishen Singh Bedi were pillars of Indian cricket in the 70s,” Mustaq added.
Shoaib Muhammad, nephew of Pakistan’s minor maestro Hanif Muhammad and a close friend of Mustaq, also sent birthday wishes to Gavaskar.
Shoaib narrated a story of how his father, who considered Gavaskar one of the greatest batsmen of his time, would always advise him to study Gavaskar’s batting style.
“Gavaskar sir had a lot of respect and esteem for my father and I respected that,” he added.
Recalling Gavaskar’s easy-going interaction with the Pakistan players, Mohsin Khan said the attention and focus of the Indian batsmen was incredible.
“Whether it was Karachi, Mumbai or Sharjah, when I played against him he was like a wall when he batted. He played a big role in the development of Sharjah cricket. I wish him all the best,” he said.
