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 th🐠e proceedings and referred 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 i🌱dol Gavaskar Sir for the first time in 1987.
As a 13 year old, I couldn’t believe m🍨y luck that I 🐎was meeting the person I looked up to & wanted to emulate. What a day that was.😍
Wishing you a very happy 71🐻st birthday Sir. Have a healthy & safe yea🔯r ahead.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Current Team India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane wrote a heart-warming message and wished thꦺe 🀅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 𒁃of happiness!
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88)
Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar revealed the reason bܫehind his desire to play cricket. He termed Gavaskar as the reason to take 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 ove⛎r the years.
Many more happy 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 ꧒in the last few years. 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)
M♎ohammad Kaif uploaded an adorable video in which he can be seen enjoying a swimming session with 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 from 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:
Happy Birthday to the Legend! Master of Indian Cricket 🇮🇳
From being the first person to score centuries and achieving many milestones.
You will always be loved by all the Cricket fans🏏
Wish you great health and prosperity🙏— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
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 always blesses U nd ur family😊
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
Happy birthday to the legend, sir. You hav𓆏e inspired a generation to take up the sports. W𒅌ishing you good health & happiness.
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18)
Happy birthday to one of finest batsman of Indian 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 special day and year♔s ahead.
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket)
Many ha𝔍ppy returns of the day sir! Wishing you g🔯ood health and a great year ahead. 😇
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)
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Can you ima🙈gine facing the quicks 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)
