3. Sunil Gavaskar – Best Opener in Test Cricket
Sunil Gavaskar was one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time for India with a solid technique. He faced the most of the fastest and dangerous bowlers of 1970’s and 1980’s. His first test match was in 1971 against under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar another dashing batsman.He was the first cricketer to score 10,000 runs in test matches in the cricket history for India , playing 125 test matches. he scored a total 10,122 runs with 34 hundreds, with an average of 51.12 runs. His highest score was 236 not out against West Indies in the year 1983 at Madras.
He retired from test cricket in 1987. His ability to focus on long innings made him a special opener for India in test cricket. Sunil Gavaskar had an average of 50 as opener at home. and 52 in matches away. His ability to score centuries as an opener in away tests, was outstanding. He was severe especially against strong West Indies opening attack of 1970’s and 80’s scoring 7 centuries in 13 matches in West Indies . He also five centuries in 11 matches against Australia in Australia demonstrating that no team or pitches mattered to him which is rare in these days.
