Throwback to Sunil Gavaskar’s unique feat: History made amidst the heartbreak

Shreyasi

Sunil Gavaskar [Source: X/@CricketopiaCom]Sunil Gavaskar [Source: X/@CricketopiaCom]

The 1978 India tour of Pakistan remains a significant series for several reasons. Before this tour, India and Pakistan had last faced each other in a Test match in 1961, and for the next 17-18 years, rising political tensions between the two nations had prevented their cricket teams from competing.

Finally, the game resumed, and a new era began. A generation of greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, Mohinder Amarnath, Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, and Imran Khan came against each other for the first time in the Test arena. The series set the stage for some memorable contests to be etched in the history of the game forever before another hiatus interrupted the cricketing relations again.

Stage set by debutant

The first Test of the series ended in a draw but saw the debut of a 19-year-old Kapil Dev Nikhanj. The first genuine quick bowler from India and a handy all-rounder, Kapil Dev gave enough glimpses of his future impact on Indian cricket in his debut Test series.

After losing the second Test, India entered the Karachi Test with a determination to secure a win and leven the series. In the first innings, India posted 344 runs thanks to a brilliant 111 from Sunil Gavaskar and a brisk 59 from Kapil.

In response, Pakistan were struggling at 187 for 5 and Javed Miandad emerged as a saviour with a hundred. His 154-run partnership with captain Mushtaq Mohammad (78) eventually made Pakistan declare at 481/9.

India needed another strong showing in the second innings with the hosts in control. At the end of day four, India were on 131/2 with Gavaskar batting on 67 and nightwatchman Syed Kirman unbeaten on 1. India’s focus was now to save the Test match.

India's strong comeback led by Gavaskar

Day five, on November 19, did not start well for India. As Kirmani (4), Viswanath (10), Surinder Amarnath (14), and Dilip Vengsarkar (1) left early, India were suddenly reeling at 173/6. Interestingly, Gavaskar at the other end was hardly impacted by these dismissals.

Unshaken and focused, the little master found an ally in Karsan Ghavri. His support helped Gavaskar reach a hundred in the second innings as well, making him the first Indian to score two hundreds in two innings of a single Test match twice.

Gavaskar was dismissed for 137 by Sarfraz Nawaz. Ghavri (35) and Kapil (34) added another 51 runs for the eighth wicket as India were all out for 300.

Pakistan required 164 runs in 26 overs to win the match. The skipper made a smart move by sending Asif Iqbal to open the innings and Miandad to bat at number three. The tactics worked well as the duo put together 97 runs in just nine overs. Once the partnership was broken, Imran (31*) was promoted and, along with Miandad (62*), chased down the target with 7 balls to spare.

For both nations, the Test was historic. While Pakistan registered a dramatic victory, Sunil Gavaskar recorded a unique milestone. Amidst the heartbreak of losing to the arch-rivals Pakistan, for the Indians, it was a moment of rejoicing.