As the rest day approached—once a customary aspect of Test cricket—during the final match, the series stood at a thrilling impasse. India and Pakistan were tied after four previous draws, and on the rest day following the third day's play, it was clear that the outcome of the series depended on the steadfast shoulders of a player who had supported his nation's batting lineup for 16 years.

With a target of 221 runs for victory, India concluded day three at 99 for four. At the crease were Mohammad Azharuddin, who had scored seven runs, and an opener who, in the previous match in Ahmedabad, had made history as the first batsman to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Sunil Gavaskar, known as the little master, remained not out at 51; the nation relied on him to secure the remaining 122 runs needed for triumph.

Few outside the immediate team were aware that Gavaskar was participating in his final Test match, preparing to step away from the format after the concluding contest at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. At 37 years old, he had no further milestones to achieve, although he would not retire from international cricket just yet; that decision would come after the 50-over World Cup later that year, which India co-hosted with Pakistan for the first time.

Gavaskar explained to Hindustan Times the two main reasons for not making a significant retirement announcement prior to the match: “This was the last Test of a series where all previous games had ended in draws, making it a vital contest. I wanted to avoid any distractions for the team as we focused on defeating Pakistan and winning the series.”

Another factor influencing my thoughts was the upcoming MCC Bicentenary 'Test' scheduled for later that year, featuring a match between the Marylebone Cricket Club and a Rest of the World XI at Lord’s in August. I believed that a retired player would not be considered for selection in the Rest of the World team. It is worth noting that Gavaskar did participate in the Rest of the World match, scoring 188, which remains the highest individual score in a high-scoring draw.

The rest day occurred on a Monday, specifically 16 March 1987. Although Tuesday was officially the second-to-last day of the Test, it was unlikely that the match would extend to the final day unless weather conditions intervened, which they did not. “If I recall correctly, the rest day coincided with Holi, and players from both teams engaged in the festivities with enthusiasm,” Gavaskar reminisces. “I had confined myself to my room to avoid the risk of color getting into my eyes, which could potentially affect my batting performance the following day. By that time, the team was already aware of my decision to retire, so there was no need for me to reiterate it.”

Throughout his career, Gavaskar was recognized for his intense focus and exceptional ability to concentrate solely on the task at hand. Thus, it is not surprising that he asserts he did not carry the weight of his impending retirement into the game, nor did he dwell on the memories of his illustrious 16-year career. “My mind was solely focused on preparing for the Test match,” he states. “We believed the dry pitch would favor spinners from the very first day, and that prediction proved accurate. We were optimistic about our chances, but it was crucial to bat first, which did not occur as Imran Khan won the toss.”

Imran Khan's influence in delaying Sunil Gavaskar retirement

Imran played a significant yet indirect role in Gavaskar's participation in this series, as the legendary cricketer had initially intended to retire following the England tour in June-July 1986. Gavaskar reflects, “I would have likely concluded my career with over 9000 runs since I was planning to retire after the 1986 Test series in England.” However, the first Test at Lord’s concluded prematurely, with India securing a five-wicket victory early in the second session on the fifth day. The following day, while having lunch with Imran, Gavaskar shared his retirement plans. Imran advised against this decision, expressing his desire to defeat India in India during Pakistan's upcoming tour early the next year, emphasizing that such a victory would feel incomplete without Gavaskar on the team. Consequently, Gavaskar decided to continue his career.

From July 1986 to February 1987, prior to the first Test against Pakistan in Chennai, India played six home Tests. Gavaskar notes, “There were series against Australia and Sri Lanka at home before the Pakistan tour, which helped me approach the 10,000-run milestone.” During these six matches, he achieved two centuries, including an impressive 176 against Sri Lanka in Kanpur, contributed 90 runs in the second innings of the first Test against Australia in Chennai (which was pivotal in only the second tie in Test history), and added another 74 runs across just seven innings. As a result, when the series against Pakistan commenced, Gavaskar had accumulated 9827 runs, needing only 173 more to reach this historic achievement.

During the fourth Test at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Sunil Gavaskar made history when he nudged an off-spin delivery from Faqih behind point, raising his bat in triumph as he completed the single. This moment marked a significant achievement, as it was Faqih's sole Test appearance on the tour and one of only five Tests he played in a span of seven and a half years, yet he secured his place in the annals of cricket history.

“It was an extraordinary experience to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket,” remarked the first player to achieve this milestone. “At the beginning of my career with India, I would have been content with just 1,000 runs, as that would indicate I had not embarrassed myself on the international stage. Reaching 10,000 runs was simply unbelievable.” This achievement was unprecedented. Since then, fourteen other players have reached this landmark, but like Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mount Everest, Sunil Gavaskar was the pioneer and remains the foremost figure associated with the 10K milestone.

Returning to the Bengaluru Test, Pakistan made strategic changes by excluding their star leg-spinner Abdul Qadir and Faqih, opting instead for off-spinner Tauseef Ahmed and left-arm pace bowler Saleem Jaffar. Their bowling lineup was formidable, featuring Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Jaffar, Tauseef, and the seasoned left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim. Ultimately, Jaffar and Tauseef emerged as Pakistan's heroes in Bengaluru, each claiming nine wickets throughout the match.

When asked if he was surprised by Qadir's absence in the decisive match, Gavaskar responded, “There is a reason behind Qadir's exclusion and the selection of Saleem Jaffar. Interestingly, Jaffar did not bowl a single over during the game. However, that story is not ready for publication yet. I can assure you there was no foul play involved, just tactical decisions that resulted in Qadir not playing and Jaffar being included.”

The Test match commenced exceptionally for the home team, with left-arm spinner Maninder Singh achieving remarkable figures of seven wickets for 27 runs, leading to the visitors being bowled out for a mere 116 on the first afternoon. It was widely believed that the pitch would become increasingly challenging for batting, prompting India to aim for a substantial first-innings lead. India appeared poised to establish a significant advantage at 102 for three; however, the dismissal of Azhar initiated a dramatic collapse, skillfully executed by Qasim. India lost seven wickets for just 43 runs, with Qasim claiming five of those, ultimately securing a lead of 29 runs—beneficial, yet not insurmountable.

In their second innings, Pakistan performed significantly better, showcasing a more effective batting lineup, highlighted by wicketkeeper Saleem Yousuf’s unbeaten 41 from the ninth position. Yousuf and Tauseef formed a crucial partnership, adding 51 runs for the ninth wicket, which ultimately proved decisive. Maninder's performance in the second innings was less impressive, concluding with figures of three wickets for 99 runs over 43.5 overs, as he turned the ball sharply and troubled the batsmen, six of whom were right-handed in Pakistan's top seven.

On the rest day, Tauseef and Qasim benefited greatly from a discussion with Bishan Bedi. The renowned left-arm spinner emphasized how Maninder was generating even more turn on an already deteriorating pitch, subtly highlighting the importance of restraint in bowling—a lesson that resonated with the two Pakistani spinners.

Gavaskar was always regarded as the pivotal wicket for Pakistan, and their worst fears were realized when the legendary opener showcased a masterclass in defensive batting on a deteriorating pitch. Only Azhar, with a score of 26, managed to surpass 20 runs among the other ten batsmen; Gavaskar delivered one of the most remarkable innings in cricket history, scoring 96 runs off 264 balls over the course of nearly five and a half hours, successfully countering the dual spin threats and the incessant banter from Javed Miandad at silly point.

Once the match concluded, Miandad expressed regret for his taunts and was taken aback when Gavaskar revealed that he had barely heard any of the comments. Miandad was left astonished—not because his remarks had failed to impact Gavaskar, but rather because he felt he had apologized without cause.

“I entered a trance where nothing mattered except the ball being bowled,” Gavaskar explains when asked how he remained unaffected by the ongoing verbal exchanges. “I heard the words, but they did not register in my mind.”

During that innings on a treacherous pitch where the ball behaved unpredictably, one of the most striking memories is of Gavaskar advancing to off-spinner Tauseef, only for the ball to unexpectedly rise off a length and become a ‘bouncer’. With remarkable composure, he dropped his wrists and kept his gaze fixed on the ball, watching it all the way into Yousuf’s gloves. “I have very little recollection of that innings, likely because I was in a trance while batting,” Gavaskar reiterates. “However, yes, that delivery is one of the two I distinctly remember. The ball bounced so abruptly, but I managed to evade it at the last moment.”

When Gavaskar was ultimately declared out, he skillfully avoided the question, "You weren’t really out, were you?" At that moment, India required 41 runs for victory, with only two wickets remaining. Roger Binny held his ground for a while but was the last player dismissed, caught behind off Tauseef, resulting in a 16-run victory for Pakistan. Although Gavaskar was awarded the Player of the Match, it brought him no satisfaction. He stated, “Ask any player, and they will tell you that if the team loses, individual performance is not enjoyable at all.”

Gavaskar firmly asserts that he never contemplated retirement, nor was there any inclination to delay that decision despite his remarkable achievements. “I had considered retiring about nine months prior, so I never looked back on my choice to stop playing after that Test match,” he explains, reflecting on when he realized it was time to end his career. “The indicators for me included glancing at the clock while fielding and thinking, 'Oh no, another 11 minutes until teatime,' or 'Oh dear, just six more minutes until the close of play.' In one-day matches, it was noticing the scoreboard and thinking about enduring another five overs of fielding. I cherished being on the field, and when the time and overs began to feel prolonged, that was my signal to retire.”

As we conclude, when asked to summarize his 16 years at the highest level, he provides a typically concise yet emotional and sincere response. “I was privileged and honored to represent India, a dream shared by millions of children, including myself,” he begins. “Being part of so many wonderful memories is truly a blessing. I also had the honor of playing alongside and against some of the greatest names in the sport. These memories will remain with me forever, along with the incredible achievements of the players who followed, bringing honor and glory to the country through their outstanding performances.”

I attribute my identity to Indian cricket, with Mumbai cricket serving as my foundation. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have received and continue to receive to witness emerging talents and the evolution of the sport; all of this is a result of my passion for cricket.

Most importantly, I cherish the genuine love and support from cricket enthusiasts across India and around the globe. This, along with my family, constitutes my greatest treasure.

I recognize that I am in a transitional phase, awaiting the inevitable conclusion, as one cannot carry the bat in the game of life, Gavaskar remarks candidly. "However, during this time, I also envision celebrating additional World Cup victories with our exceptionally talented players." For further context, consider searching for Dubai, Sunil Gavaskar, and the Champions Trophy final.

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