A Bright Sunny Day In Ahmedabad
On this day way back in 1987, a single made Indians top of the world. A single run scored by Sunil Gavaskar made him the first batsman ever to score 10,000 test runs. It was a test match against arch-rival Pakistan and the stage was set in Ahmedabad.
The Match
In the first innings, Pakistan scored 395 runs. While the top order couldn’t do much, a tailender Ijaz Faqih scored 105. That hundred is the only test century in Ijaz’s entire test career of five matches. He was supported by Imran Khan who scored 72 runs. Shivlal Yadav and Kapil Dev took four and three wickets respectively to end Pakistan’s first innings quickly.
In reply, India scored 323 runs. Dilip Vengsarkar scored a hundred while Gavaskar was the second highest run scorer of Indian innings with 63 runs. But in the process, Sunil Gavaskar became the first batsman to score 10,000 test runs. A milestone that no one had achieved before, a feat that placed Indian cricket on top!
The Moment
Incidentally, the highest run scorer from the Pakistan side was the bowler who gave that precious single to Sunny to take his innings score of 57 to 58 and a total test score of 9,999 to 10,000 and achieve the world record.
When Gavaskar scored 58 the spectators went out of control. They rushed to the outfield to congratulate their little master. Gavaskar raised his bat to celebrate and acknowledge. According to the non-striker Kiran More, Sunny celebrated that moment which was a rare incident. Pakistan cricket team were applauding and congratulating Gavaskar as well.
In the second innings, Pakistani batsmen made it tough for Indian bowlers. The match ended in a draw with Pakistan’s second innings score at 135 for 2. It was the 11th draw in a row between arch-rivals aka neighbors.
A Sunny Day For Indians
But this match was special for the Indian fans. Little master was already a living legend by then. He just gave something extra to this cricket loving nation to call its own. After getting out on 63, he was unhappy with himself. He scored 10,000 test runs but couldn’t forgive himself for that dismissal. But even he knew that it was special. He said later, "I would have just been happy with 1,000 runs. Now I feel 10 times more fantastic.”
It is said that Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t have any memento from the iconic match of his life. But probably what he did to record his name in the history of cricket doesn’t need any validation of such. The goosebumps, the atmosphere at the Motera stadium, the madness of the crowd, the appreciation from the opponent, the sound of that particular single are everything that Sunny owns.