Sunil Gavaskar vis-à-vis Sachin Tendulkar
Sunil Gavaskar vis-à-vis Sachin Tendulkar
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State of Indian Cricket Before Gavaskar and Tendulkar
Before Sunil Gavaskar (Pre-1971): Indian cricket in the 1950s and 1960s was still finding its footing on the global stage. The team had played Test cricket since 1932 but struggled for consistency, particularly overseas. Prior to Gavaskar’s debut in 1971, India had won only 15 out of 115 Test matches (a win percentage of 13%), with most victories coming at home against weaker sides like New Zealand and England. India had never won a Test series outside the subcontinent, and their batting line-ups often crumbled against pace bowling, especially from the West Indies and Australia. The team lacked a world-class batsman to anchor the side, and Indian cricket was seen as a secondary force compared to England, Australia, and the West Indies.
Before Sachin Tendulkar (Pre-1989): By the time Tendulkar debuted in 1989, Indian cricket had undergone significant transformation, much of it due to Gavaskar’s influence. India had won their first overseas Test series in the West Indies (1971) and England (1971), and under Gavaskar’s captaincy in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the team developed resilience. The 1983 World Cup triumph under Kapil Dev was a defining moment, shifting focus to limited-overs cricket and boosting national confidence. However, Test cricket remained inconsistent—India had won 35 out of 233 Tests (15%) before Tendulkar’s debut, with only 5 overseas series wins (West Indies 1971, England 1971 and 1986, New Zealand 1968, and Sri Lanka 1985). Batting relied heavily on players like Gavaskar (retired in 1987) and Dilip Vengsarkar, but the middle order was fragile, and India still lacked a global superstar to elevate its stature.
Individual Statistics and Achievements
Sunil Gavaskar (1971–1987):
• Tests: 125 matches, 10,122 runs, 34 centuries, 45 fifties, average 51.12
• ODIs: 108 matches, 3,092 runs, 1 century, 27 fifties, average 35.13
• Notable Feats:
o First batsman to score 10,000 Test runs (1987).
o Held the record for most Test centuries (34) until Tendulkar surpassed it in 2005.
o Averaged 65.45 against the West Indies, facing their fearsome pace attack (Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall) without a helmet.
o Scored 13 centuries against the West Indies, the most by any batsman against a single team at the time.
Sachin Tendulkar (1989–2013):
• Tests: 200 matches, 15,921 runs, 51 centuries, 68 fifties, average 53.78
• ODIs: 463 matches, 18,426 runs, 49 centuries, 96 fifties, average 44.83
• Notable Feats:
• Most runs in Test (15,921) and ODI (18,426) cricket.
• First player to score 100 international centuries (51 Tests, 49 ODIs).
• First to score a double century in ODIs (200* vs. South Africa, 2010).
• Key contributor to India’s 2011 World Cup victory (482 runs, second-highest in the tournament).
Comparison
Gavaskar’s Test stats reflect his mastery in a bowler-dominated era, particularly against pace, with a higher average against the West Indies than Tendulkar (65.45 vs. 54.74). Tendulkar, however, played more matches across formats, amassed greater volume, and excelled in both Tests and ODIs. His longevity (24 years vs. Gavaskar’s 16) and adaptability to modern cricket (including T20s) give him a statistical edge.
World Records Held by India Before and After Each
Before Gavaskar (Pre-1971):
• India held no major batting or bowling world records in Test cricket.
• The team’s highest individual score was Vijay Hazare’s 164* (1948), and no Indian had scored 10,000 runs or 30 centuries.
After Gavaskar (Post-1987):
• Gavaskar’s Records:
o Most Test runs (10,122, surpassed by Allan Border in 1993).
o Most Test centuries (34, surpassed by Tendulkar in 2005).
• Team Records:
o India didn’t hold team-based world records, but Gavaskar’s feats elevated individual benchmarks.
Before Tendulkar (Pre-1989):
• Gavaskar’s 10,000 runs and 34 centuries were the standout individual records.
• Kapil Dev held the record for most Test wickets by an Indian (434, retired 1994).
After Tendulkar (Post-2013):
• Tendulkar’s Records:
o Most Test runs (15,921, still stands).
o Most ODI runs (18,426, still stands).
o Most international centuries (100, still stands).
o Most Test matches played (200, still stands).
• Team Records:
o Most consecutive Test matches without defeat under one captain (19, Virat Kohli, 2015–2019, surpassing Gavaskar’s 18 from 1976–1980).
o India became a dominant force, holding the No. 1 Test ranking (first achieved in 2009).
Tendulkar’s era saw India accumulate more individual and team records, reflecting his role in a more competitive and professionalized setup.
Series Defeats Inflicted on Other Countries
Before Gavaskar (Pre-1971):
• Test Series Wins: 6 (all at home)
o England: 1952, 1961
o New Zealand: 1955, 1969
o Australia: 1959, 1964
• Countries Defeated: 3 (England, New Zealand, Australia)
• No overseas series wins.
After Gavaskar:
• Test Series Wins: 35 total (pre-Tendulkar debut)
o Home: England (1952, 1961, 1972, 1984), New Zealand (1955, 1969, 1976, 1988), Australia (1959, 1964, 1979, 1981), West Indies (1978, 1983), Pakistan (1952, 1979, 1986), Sri Lanka (1986)
o Away: West Indies (1971), England (1971, 1986), New Zealand (1968), Sri Lanka (1985)
• Countries Defeated: 7 (added West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
• Gavaskar’s era saw India’s first overseas victories and a stronger home record.
Before Tendulkar (Pre-1989)
• Same as post-Gavaskar: 7 countries defeated in Test series.
After Tendulkar :
• Test Series Wins: 71 total
o Home: Against all Test-playing nations (England, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe)
o Away: West Indies (1971, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2019), England (1971, 1986, 2007), New Zealand (1968, 2009), Sri Lanka (1985, 1993, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2017), South Africa (2018), Australia (2018, 2020), Bangladesh (2007)
• Countries Defeated: 10 (all Test nations)
• Tendulkar’s era saw India conquer every Test-playing nation, including first series wins in South Africa and Australia.
Broader Contributions to Indian Cricket
Sunil Gavaskar:
• Pioneering Impact: Gavaskar professionalized Indian batting, proving Indians could dominate world-class pace bowling. His 774 runs in the 1971 West Indies series (average 154.80) announced India’s arrival, ending a perception of fragility.
• Cultural Shift: He instilled discipline and resilience, mentoring players like Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri. His captaincy (47 Tests, 9 wins) laid the groundwork for India’s competitiveness.
• Legacy: Gavaskar’s records gave India its first global batting icon, inspiring the next generation, including Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar:
• Global Icon: Tendulkar’s emergence coincided with India’s economic liberalization and the rise of television, making cricket a national obsession. His 100 centuries and World Cup win (2011) cemented his status as a cultural phenomenon.
• Team Success: India transitioned from a competitive side to a superpower during his tenure, winning the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and reaching No. 1 in Tests.
• Inspiration: Tendulkar’s consistency and humility inspired players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who carried forward his legacy.
Verdict: Who Contributed More?
Statistically: Tendulkar’s sheer volume (34,347 international runs vs. Gavaskar’s 13,214) and records (100 centuries vs. 35) dwarf Gavaskar’s, reflecting his longer career and dominance across formats.
Contextually: Gavaskar’s contribution was foundational. He lifted Indian cricket from obscurity, facing tougher conditions (uncovered pitches, no helmets) and fewer matches. Tendulkar built on this base, elevating India to global dominance in a more professional era.
Impact: Gavaskar gave India credibility; Tendulkar gave it supremacy. If we measure contribution by transformation relative to the starting point, Gavaskar edges out slightly—India’s leap from minnows to contenders began with him. However, Tendulkar’s broader influence on popularity, records, and team success makes his contribution more visible and enduring.
Final Take: Both were indispensable, but Tendulkar’s statistical dominance and role in India’s golden era (post-2000) arguably tip the scales in his favour as the greater contributor to Indian cricket’s overall legacy.
See also
Sachin Tendulkar 1: A timeline
Sachin Tendulkar: 2 (records, factoids, tributes)
Sunil Gavaskar vis-à-vis Sachin Tendulkar
