Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary former captain of the Indian cricket team, has recently opened up about the incredible support he received from former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, which played a pivotal role in his historic achievement of becoming the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. This monumental feat was accomplished on March 7, 1987, during the fourth Test match against Pakistan held at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.
While many players have crossed this landmark milestone since then, Gavaskar’s accomplishment remains etched as the first. During his appearance on the Dressing Room show aired on Ten Sports, Gavaskar recalled his motivational lunch with Imran Khan, which took place nearly a year before his landmark innings.
Reflecting on this moment, Gavaskar shared, "I got the opportunity to do so only because of one Imran Khan." He recounted their meeting after the first Test of India’s tour of England, where he expressed his intention to retire. Imran, clearly not ready to accept this decision, urged him to reconsider. “No, no, you cannot do this,” Imran insisted, and the conversation pivotally influenced Gavaskar's decision to continue batting for another series.
He vividly remembers saying, "I will finish after the next Test", but Imran, aware of the ICC's impending announcement about Pakistan's tour to India, wouldn’t let him give up. “Pakistan is coming to India, and I want to beat India with you playing,” Imran said, effectively swaying Gavaskar to postpone his retirement.
This motivational saga is one of cricket's many enchanting stories, emphasizing the bonds of respect between players across nationalities. Gavaskar’s determination to reach the milestone was palpable. “When I started my career, if someone had told me I would reach 10,000 runs, I would have been content with just 1,000 runs. I wasn't ambitious,” he remarked during the show. “But like Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary are remembered for being the first to climb Everest, I will always be remembered as the first to reach 10,000 runs.”
Gavaskar’s epic score against Pakistan came during the first innings. He achieved this remarkable goal during his 124th Test match, concluding his career with 10,122 runs at an average of 51.22. Closing his career on March 13, 1987, during the final Test against Pakistan held at Bengaluru, Gavaskar's contributions to Indian cricket remained unrivaled, highlighted by his 34 Test centuries, which was also a record at the time.
Gavaskar's last innings is remembered for its grueling challenge, where playing against formidable opposition was met with his utmost focus. “It was only when I was out, after batting for 5 hours and facing 266 balls, could Pakistan assume victory,” he said, hinting at the fond memories but competitive spirit still cherished years later.
It's important to note the series itself was hard-fought, with Pakistan securing victory and the series ending 1-0, highlighting the depth of rivalry and competition during this era. Gavaskar’s retirement later followed the 1987 Cricket World Cup semi-final loss to England, marking the end of his illustrious international career.
This history not only emphasizes Gavaskar's skills but also the mutual admiration between him and Imran Khan — both cricketing legends who played during different generations but who hold respect for each other’s contributions to the sport.
Gavaskar conclusively credits Imran Khan’s encouragement for what became the cut-off point for his record legacy, stating, “If Imran hadn’t told me to carry on, I would have finished with around 9,200 runs.” His emotional testimony serves as both appreciation and reflection on their enduring friendship. The compassion displayed by Imran Khan stands out as exemplary not only between teammates but even between rivals, marking the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect present within the game.
This narrative of mutual support amid competition is emblematic of cricket’s broader themes, where rivalries paved the way for personal milestones, memories, and milestones all built on the foundation of heartfelt perseverance and friendship.
After all, it’s not just about records or statistics; it’s about the stories we gather and the people we meet along the way — such as Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan.