Sir Viv Richards is one of the most loved and most popular cricketers of all times and he enjoys a huge fan following among cricket fans all over the world.
Recently during a virtual interaction, the West Indian legend was asked to choose his favourite batter among Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli and he went on to highlight Sunil Gavaskar’s exceptional performances against the mighty West Indian bowling attack of his era.
Sir Vivian Richards named Sunil Gavaskar as his favourite Indian batsman of all time and he also gave the reason for his answer.
Reflecting on Sunil Gavaskar’s achievements, Sir Vivian Richards praised his remarkable consistency and resilience. He emphasised that scoring 14 Test centuries against a bowling lineup widely regarded as the best at the time was a testament to Sunil Gavaskar’s mastery. For Sir Vivian Richards, this feat alone placed the Indian opener among the greatest to have ever played the game. His ability to perform against formidable opponents set the foundation for Indian batting excellence.
Richards noted that Gavaskar’s impact extended beyond his personal records. His success inspired a lineage of Indian batting legends, with Sachin Tendulkar carrying the torch forward and Virat Kohli continuing the legacy. He acknowledged the depth of talent in Indian cricket, recognising that the tradition of exceptional batting remains strong.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Test career began in 1971 against the West Indies, where he announced himself with scores of 65 and an unbeaten 67 in his debut match. His maiden series was nothing short of extraordinary, amassing 774 runs in just four matches, including four centuries and three fifties. This tally remains the highest by an Indian batsman in a bilateral Test series.
Over his 16-year international career, Sunil Gavaskar played 27 Test matches against the West Indies, accumulating 2,749 runs — the most by any batter against the Caribbean side. His technical brilliance and fearless approach cemented his status as a cricketing icon, earning the admiration of peers and future generations alike.
For Sir Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar’s accomplishments against world-class opposition make him an undisputed legend of the game, a player whose influence continues to shape Indian cricket to this day.
