Wishes poured in from all around the world as India’s legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar turned 71 on Friday (July 10). One of the all-time greats played a total of 125 Test matches for the national team. Gavaskar was the first man to score 10,000 runs and 30 centuries in the red-ball format.
The entire cricket fraternity on Friday took to Twitter to wish the ‘Little Master’. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar started the proceedings and referre💜d Gavaskar as his idol. Tendulkar also recalled the 🐻time when he first met Gavaskar.
“I got to meet my idol Gavaskar sir for the first time in 1987. As a 13-year-old, I couldn’t believe my luck that I was meeting the person I looked up to and wanted to emulate. What a day that was. Wishing you a very happy 71st Birthday sir. Have a healthy and safe year ahead,” tweeted Tendulkar.
I got to meet my idol💞 G𓆏avaskar Sir for the first time in 1987.
As a 13 year old, I couldn’t believe my luck that I was meeting the person I looked up to & wanted t☂o emulate. What a day that was.😍
Wishing you a very happy 71st birthday Sir. Have 🐬a healthy & safe year ahead.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Current Team India Test vice-captain Ajinkya 🥂Rahane wrote a heart-warming message and wished the former Indian cricketer.
“Wishing a very happy birthday to Sunil Gavaskar sir. Wish him loads of happiness!” Rahane wrote on Twitter.
Wishing a very happy birthday to Sunil Gavaskar Sir. Wish 🗹him loads of happiness!
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88)
Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar revealed the reason behind his desire to play cricket. He termed Gavaskar as the reason to takܫe this captivating game as a profession.
Why did I want to be batsman & play for India?
Answer : Sunil Gavaskar.Happy Birthday sir! 🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
Veteran Indian cricketer VVS Laxman expressed his gratitude to Gavaskar for inspiring him over🌺 the years.
Many more hap🐎py returns of the day to the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Thank you for inspiring me over the years and it has been an absolute pleasure spending time with you in the commentary box in the last few ye🙈ars. Wish you a great year ahead.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Former international and member of India’s iconic 1983 World Cup-winning team Madan Lal also wished Gavaskar. He rated the Mumbaikar as one of the best opening batsmen in the world.
♎Happy Birthday to one the best opening batsmen the world has ever 🙈seen! Sunny bhai wishing you the best of health & happiness!! Have a wonderful day!
— Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983)
Mohammad Kaif ♉uploaded an adorable video in which he can be seen enjoying a swimming session wi🌠th Gavaskar.
Happy birthday, Sunny bhai.
Grew up listening about his legendary tales of batting without a helmet. Now fortunate enough to know him & hear those stories froܫm the man himself.
The man is always at home in the West Indies 😊
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Here are some other wishes from the cricket fraternity:
//twitter.com/ImRaina/status/1281444681612693504
Privilege to work and learn from him.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Many many happy returns of d day 2 Sunil Gavaskar Sir. D man who has scored d most runs in his debut series, he has scored most of his runs without a helmet in dat era, which is unthinkable. Wish u have a great year ahead Sir. May God a🐭lways blesses U nd ur family😊
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
Hap🐓py birthday to the legend🔜, sir. You have inspired a generation to take up the sports. Wishing you good health & happiness.
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18)
Happy birthday to one of finest batsman of Indi𝓡an cricket. Best wishes Sunil Gavaskar sir.
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh)
A very happy birthday to the greatest & bravest Indian opener of all time , the original little master, and of course an exemplary commentator… sunny bhai
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
Happy birthday, Sunny Paaji!
May happiness, laughter and love surround you on 🍨your spe♐cial day and years ahead.
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket)
Many happy returns of the day sir! Wishing you good health and a g🤪reat year ahead. 😇
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)
//twitter.com/amolmuzumdar11/status/128153💦1955633221632
Can you imagine facing the quꦓicks who balls 150kmph without wearing a helmet? Sunny Sir, a childhood hero of mine did it with utmost ease. 🀅Huge respect to him and best wishes on his Birthday! Sir.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
