Sunil Gavaskar's unbeaten 236 against West Indies (Source: @VUSportOfficial/x.com)
Being one of the richest and traditional formats of the game of cricket, Test cricket has delivered some unmissable cricket actions over the years. While limited-overs cricket dazzles with speed, the longest format pushes players to their limits, testing patience and skill like no other.
India and the West Indies have shared a storied and fiery rivalry across formats, with the 1983 World Cup standing as its most iconic chapter. Stung by that unforgettable defeat, the West Indies soon hosted India in a Test series that came to be known as the ‘Revenge Series'.
As the Caribbean side was looking for a successful revenge, Sunil Gavaskar’s brilliance wrote the script differently. With an unbeaten masterclass at the crease, he denied the West Indies their moment of triumph, steering the contest to a dramatic draw.
Fueled by defeat, West Indies prepare for a battle of pride
The classic 1983 World Cup was iconic for many reasons, but that was a special one for the Indian fans. Defeating the West Indies in the high-voltage final, India lifted their first-ever ODI World Cup. Whether the Indian side celebrated the glory, the West Indies side was lingering with the heartbreak as the ‘Revenge Test Series’ became the perfect stage for their comeback.
Facing the World Cup final in June 1983, both sides collide in a six-match Test series later that year. As the West Indies treated it as the best stage to give a sharp reply to the humiliating defeat, they started with series with their masterclass. Yet the biggest shock came when Sunil Gavaskar stepped up, delivering one of the finest Test innings of his illustrious career.
Gavaskar’s unbeaten 236 turns into a timeless classic
As the cricket fans across the globe were experiencing the Caribbean domination in the Revenge Series, the biggest surprise was yet to be unveiled. Facing three defeats, Team India had yet to secure a single win in that series, and they faced each other in the last Test of the series in Chennai. Amid the roaring Chennai crowd, as the Caribbean side seemed untouchable, Sunil Gavaskar’s masterful innings stole the spotlight.
While batting first, the West Indies put on a massive total of 313, putting the home side in deep trouble. Coming to bat in the first innings, India’s batting lineup was blown away by the lethal Caribbean bowling attack, but the real hero was yet to take the field with his trusted weapon.
After Marshal removed Anshuman Gaekwad and Dilip Vengsarkar consecutively, Gavaskar joined Navjot Singh Sidhu on the crease. After stitching a 54-run partnership with him, Sidhu walked away scoring 20 runs. In front of the West Indies’ unreal domination, Gavaskar stood tall. After reaching the magical three-figure mark, he kept swinging the bat on high.
Building a match-turning partnership with Ravi Shastri, Gavaskar raced past 150, seemingly destined to shatter records. He went on to craft a brilliant double century, leaving the Caribbean bowlers scrambling for answers. Taking the team towards a strong total, he remained unbeaten, scoring 236 runs in 425 balls with 23 boundaries.
While other Indian batters struggled under relentless pressure, the West Indies could only watch in frustration as Gavaskar carved his masterpiece. Just when the Caribbean side seemed poised for another thrilling victory, his commanding innings flipped the script, etching a timeless chapter in the storied history of India-West Indies Tests.
