In the month of February in the year 1971, the Indian team travelled to West Indies to play 5 matches Test series. A strong team was selected which was to face the deadliest pace battery of that time. The squad also included 21 years old, 5 ft 5-inch small guys Sunil Gavaskar. Before coming here he had scored a number of runs back home to get selected for this tour. The boy was a sensation in the domestic circuit and it was a perfect platform for him to prove his worth at highest level of the game.
The tour proved to be quite a success for the Indian team as Indian team registered their first overseas test series victory on this tour. It came as a total surprise as all were expecting a win for the Windies team but the visitors won a test match in this series and narrowly missed a chance in two matches. The success story of the Indian team on this tour started from the first match itself as in the opening encounter of the series Team India forced the hosts team to follow on. West Indies team gave a strong reply and the test match ended in a draw, there were many good things to be taken to the next match. Sunil Gavaskar did not play the first match.
Sunil Gavaskar made his debut in the second match of the series and his duo half centuries along with the equal contribution from bowlers led the team to a historical win. Batting first, the West Indies team scored 214 runs in the first innings. EAS Prasanna and Bishen Singh Bedi ran over the West Indies batting line-up and shared 7 wickets amongst themselves. Debutant Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad came to the crease in the last session of the day, Little Gavaskar and Mankad survived the last session at stumps the score was 22/0. With the start of the second days plays the reverse counting for the host’s team started as Indian team piled up 352 runs on the board. It included a brave knock of 65 runs from the debutant Sunil Gavaskar and a century from Dilip Sardesai. The West Indies bowler Jack Noreiga claimed nine wickets. West Indies team came back to bat and set-up an easy target of 124 runs which the Indian boys chased easily, Gavaskar scored a half century again.
Gavaskar had a dream start to his test career as the legendary batsman scored two half centuries on his debut itself that too against one of the fiery bowling line up in the world.
In the next Test match the West Indies team put up a good looking total of 363 on the board but a reply from the Indian team was yet to come. Sunil Gavaskar scored a century in only his second Test match and team India ended innings on a total of 376. The West Indies team did not come under pressure and came back with a total of 307/3. The Indian was given a target of 295 runs which they had to chase in somewhat around 30-40 overs. The Indian batsmen started the innings without thinking of the target. They played their natural game and not to say classy Gavaskar again scored a half century. Ashok Mankad to scored a half-century too. None of the openers was dismissed and the match ended with Indian team scoring 123/0. This was Gavaskar’s fourth consecutive 50+ score on this tour. Indian team was deprived of a win in this match due to the shortage of overs.
In the fourth test the West Indies team made a strong comeback from the last one and in the first innings itself score a mammoth total of 501 runs in the loss of just 5 wickets. Riding on a knock of 150 runs from Dilip Sardesai team India replied back and put up a total of 347. Not to forget the handy contribution from the Indian all-rounder Eknath Solkar. He paired up with Sardesai to put the Indian team in a safe position, he scored 65 runs. West Indies declared on 180 runs in the third innings and to set up a target of 335 for the Indian team. With full compassion and determination; the Indian team stepped up onto the field and again Gavaskar emerged as the hero for the team. With his outstanding century, he kept the hopes alive but again due to the shortage of overs the match ended in a draw.
Gavaskar was having a dream run in the series till now but he saved his best one for the last clash where he scored a century followed by a double century.
In the final clash at Trinidad, team India decided to bat first, no one was surprised watching Gavaskar scoring a century again. The boy already had already shown his colours in the previous games. Dilip Sardesai too scored a half century. The West Indies team gave a strong reply; they gained a lead of 166 runs over Indian team. Instead of being buried under pressure, the Gavaskar led batting line-up bounced back strongly and the West Indies had to chase 262 runs in the last innings of the series. Till the last over of the game, the West Indies struggled to survive but again due to the shortage of overs the match ended in a draw. West Indies team avoided another defeat. This was a heartbreak moment as the visitors were too close but yet to far from a win. West Indies team ended the day with a score of 165/8.
History was created as team India won their first overseas Test series. Ajit Wadekar was the proud captain of the team. Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Sardesai had a run fest as both of them scored 774 runs and 642 runs respectively. Gavaskar scored 4 centuries and 3 half centuries whereas Sardesai had 3 tons and 1 half century to his name.
The debutant Sunil Gavaskar was the key to success for the Indian team in this series. This was the ideal start for Sunny Gavaskar who later served the country for years to come and became a proud owner of countless records. He was also the first man to score 10000 runs in Test cricket.
Gavaskar had a flying start to his career which finally ended in the year 1987 when he played his last international match which was an ODI against England on his home ground at Mumbai.
It is said that ‘Legends are born in a Century’ but soon after his retirement a new hero emerged, Sachin Tendulkar. He went on to emulate his hero and broke many of his records, included the 10000 run mark. Both the legends of the game have now called it a day and still the Indian team is searching for a talent like them. Virat Kohli seems to be a perfect replacement but still he is to prove his credentials in Test cricket. The upcoming two years will tell that whether Kohli is a perfect replacement or not.
Still, the memories of Gavaskar and his Sunny Days during his first tour are fresh in our mind which will be cheered and celebrated by his fans for centuries to come.