When Sunil Gavaskar Batted Left Handed To Save His Team From Certain Defeat

One of many biggest batters of all time, Sunil Gavaskar, is a reputation synonymous with absolute self-discipline, grit and perseverance on the sphere. In red-ball cricket, Gavaskar’s stature is arguably unmatched in Indian cricket. His capability to cope with bowlers of absolute high quality, producing fearless batting regardless of the circumstances, stays unmatched. Whereas Gavaskar belongs to the technology of purists, compared to fashionable T20-styled cricket, even he knew the significance of adapting oneself in dire conditions. Throughout a 1981-82 Ranji Trophy recreation, the unique Little Grasp really batted left-handed so as to thwart the risk posed by the bowler.

Reverse sweeps, swap hits and comparable types of photographs weren’t as widespread when Gavaskar used to bat for India, particularly in red-ball cricket. However, throughout a Ranji Trophy recreation in Bengaluru, Gavaskar became a left-hander so as to counter the risk posed by left-arm orthodox spinner Raghuram Bhat, who had already taken 8 wickets within the first innings as Bombay scored 271 runs.

Within the second innings, Bhat had already ripped via the Bombay top-order, taking 5 wickets. Gavaskar, the group’s Mr. Reliable, knew he needed to do one thing.

Bombay have been observing a defeat, and all Karnataka wanted was the remaining 5 wickets to qualify for the ultimate. The technique for Bhat was easy, to focus on the tough patch on the pitch, which had troubled right-handers all the match.

Gavaskar, nevertheless, had an ace up his sleeve. He determined to bat left-handed in opposition to Bhat. As a left-handed batter, the ball pitching within the tough would now flip into Gavaskar’s pads quite than away towards the slips. This allowed him to make use of his pads and bat safely with out the chance of edging the ball off the skin edge.

What was really majestic is that Gavaskar would flip right into a right-hander once more every time a right-arm bowler would come to bowl from the opposite finish of the pitch. He batted for over 60 minutes left-handed, scoring an unbeaten 18 runs.

Along with teammate Ghulam Parkar, Gavaskar safely carried Bombay to 218/9 by the shut of play on the ultimate day, leaving Karnataka pissed off.

Gavaskar revealed his choice to bat left-handed in a chat with Open journal. He stated: “The ball was turning sq. and Raghuram Bhat was just about unplayable on that floor. Since he was a left-hand orthodox spinner getting the ball to show and bounce sharply away from the right-handers, I assumed that the way in which to counter that was by enjoying left handed the place the ball would flip and bounce however hit the physique harmlessly (with out the chance of getting out leg earlier than wicket).”

“I may perceive the opposed reactions,” Gavaskar says. “It was felt that it was completed in pique, nevertheless it was nothing like that in any respect. I felt I had zero likelihood in opposition to Raghu batting proper handed, and because the match was already determined in Karnataka’s favour, I attempted the tactic. If the match was within the stability, I actually wouldn’t have batted left handed. Additionally, please keep in mind I batted left handed solely in opposition to Raghuram Bhat. When a proper hand spinner (B Vijayakrishna) got here alongside, I switched to batting proper handed once more.”