Sunil Manohar Gavaskar was born on July 10, 1949 (76 years old), in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is a famous and respected cricketer from India.

He became well-known for facing and beating some of the toughest bowlers in the world. Many people know him as “The Little Master.”

In 1971, he made a big mark by scoring 774 runs in his first-ever Test series against the West Indies. That was just the start of his great career.

Over the years, he became the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket and held the record for most Test centuries (34) for almost 20 years.

Keep on reading Sunil Gavaskar’s Wiki to find more details about his wife, son, family, early life, education, career milestones, net worth, and more.

Sunil Gavaskar Wiki & Early Life

Full NameSunil Manohar Gavaskar
ProfessionFormer Indian cricketer, cricket commentator, and writer
Age76 years old
Date of BirthJuly 10, 1949
NationalityIndian
Zodiac/Sun SignCancer
BirthplaceMumbai, Bombay Province, Dominion of India (now Maharashtra)
Current AddressMumbai, Maharashtra, India

Sunil Gavaskar Wife & Children

Sunil Gavaskar is married to Marshneill Gavaskar (née Mehrotra). The couple got married in 1974, although the exact wedding date and venue are yet to be updated. 

Marshneill was born into a respected family. Her father, D.N. Mehrotra, was a senior official with the Indian Railways. She has often stayed away from the public eye, choosing to focus on family life.

Son

Sunil and Marshneill Gavaskar have one son, Rohan Gavaskar, born on February 20, 1976. Rohan followed in his father’s footsteps and became a cricketer too. 

He played for India in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and had a successful domestic cricket career, especially with Bengal.

Although his international career was short, Rohan made his mark with solid performances in Indian domestic leagues. 

After retiring from playing, he turned to cricket commentary and continues to work in the media.

Relationship StatusMarried
WifeMarshneill Gavaskar (née Mehrotra)
Children Son: Rohan Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar Family

Sunil Gavaskar comes from a well-educated and culturally rich Maharashtrian family based in Mumbai. His family played a strong role in shaping his early interest in cricket and the values of discipline and dedication.

Father

Sunil’s father, Manohar Gavaskar, was a writer and a keen sports enthusiast. He wrote articles about sports and supported Sunil’s cricket ambitions from a young age. While he wasn’t a professional cricketer himself, he was deeply interested in the game and encouraged Sunil to pursue his talent seriously.

Mother

Sunil’s mother, Meenal Gavaskar (née Mantri), was a homemaker who supported the family and played a strong behind-the-scenes role in Sunil’s career. She came from a respected family and helped build a nurturing environment at home.

Siblings

Sunil Gavaskar has two sisters:

  • Kavita Viswanath: She is married to Gundappa Viswanath, a former Indian cricketer and one of Sunil’s teammates during the 1970s and 1980s. Their marriage connected two iconic cricket families in India.
  • Nutan Gavaskar: Less is known publicly about Nutan, as she has maintained a very private life.
Parent’s NameFather: Manohar Gavaskar
Mother: Meenal Gavaskar (née Mantri)
SiblingsSisters: Kavita Viswanath & Nutan Gavaskar

Education

Sunil Gavaskar studied at St. Xavier’s High School in Mumbai. It was here that his cricketing talent started to shine. He was known as a bright student and a natural sportsman. His school gave him early opportunities to play competitive cricket, and he quickly became one of the top players in school tournaments.

College

After finishing school, Sunil continued his education at St. Xavier’s College, also in Mumbai. This college is one of the most respected in India. 

While studying there, he balanced his academics with cricket, eventually earning a place in the national team. His college supported his cricket journey, and he soon became a household name across the country.

Highest Qualification

Sunil Gavaskar is a graduate, although the exact subject of his degree is yet to be updated.

SchoolSt. Xavier’s High School, Mumbai
Alma MaterSt. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
Highest QualificationGraduate

Sunil Gavaskar Career

Sunil Gavaskar Career

Sunil Gavaskar’s love for cricket started early. He was just a boy in Mumbai when people noticed his natural skill with the bat. His sharp technique and calm attitude set him apart, even as a schoolboy. 

By the time he entered first-class cricket with the Bombay team, it was clear India had found a special player.

Test Debut – Making History Right Away

Gavaskar played his first Test match in 1971 against the West Indies, who were one of the best teams in the world back then.

Most batsmen struggled against their fast bowlers, but Gavaskar shocked everyone. He scored a massive 774 runs in just four matches, which remains a record for a debut Test series.

Rise to the Top – The 1970s and 1980s

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Gavaskar became India’s most dependable batsman. He was famous for:

  • Playing without a helmet against the world’s fastest bowlers.
  • Scoring centuries across all major cricket nations.
  • Holding his wicket firmly, even in the toughest situations.

He often carried the entire Indian batting lineup on his shoulders, especially during overseas tours. 

He was the first cricketer ever to score 10,000 runs in Test matches, which was a big moment in cricket history.

Key Achievements

  • He scored 34 centuries in Test matches, which was a world record until Sachin Tendulkar broke it.
  • He also took 101 catches in Tests, showing he was very alert and quick in the field.
  • He played 125 Test matches and 108 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for India.
  • He was also part of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 1983.

Final Years and Retirement

Gavaskar played his last Test match in 1987 against Pakistan. In that match, he batted really well and scored 96 runs, even though the pitch was hard to play on.

After that, he decided to retire on a high note, leaving behind a legendary career that inspired millions.

Life After Cricket – Commentary and Leadership

After retirement, Gavaskar didn’t leave the cricket world. Instead, he became one of the most respected commentators and writers in the game. His voice became a regular part of Indian cricket broadcasts.

He worked with various media houses, including Doordarshan, ESPN, Star Sports, and Sony Sports.

He also served in key roles, such as:

  • Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee
  • BCCI interim president during the IPL 2014 controversy
  • Author of several popular books like Sunny Days, Idols, and Runs n’ Ruins

A Legend Beyond Numbers

What made Gavaskar special wasn’t just his records. It was the way he stood tall in tough situations, batted with discipline, and earned the respect of players worldwide. 

He inspired future Indian cricketers like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli.

YearRole/PositionOrganization / Team / Network
1966First-class cricketerBombay (Mumbai)
1971Test debutIndian National Team
1983World Cup squad memberIndian National Team
1987Retired from cricketIndian National Team
1988–1990sTV commentatorDoordarshan, BBC
2000sCommentator and cricket analystESPN Star Sports, Sony, Star Sports
2009Inducted into the ICC Hall of FameICC
2014Interim President for IPL affairsBCCI
2015–PresentColumnist, commentator & authorVarious networks and publications

Awards and Achievements

YearAward Name
1975Arjuna Award
1980Padma Bhushan
1971Wisden Cricketer of the Year
1987Padma Shri
2003ICC Hall of Fame (Inducted 2009)
2012Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award
2017BCCI Special Award

Controversies

Here is a quick overview of some key controversies that involved Sunil Gavaskar during his cricketing and post-retirement career:

YearControversy TitleDescription
2020Comment on Anushka SharmaMade a remark linking Kohli’s performance to a video with Anushka; caused social media backlash.
2014BCCI Interim President During IPL Fixing ScandalAppointed by the Supreme Court, some questioned the suitability of a commentator in that role.

Sunil Gavaskar Net Worth, Salary

Sunil Gavaskar’s estimated net worth is around $30 million (approximately ₹240–262 crores). His annual income is yet to be updated.

Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.)$30 million (₹240–262 crores)
Salary (Approx.)Yet to be updated

Sunil Gavaskar Height, Weight & Physical Stats

Sunil Gavaskar Height

Sunil Gavaskar stands at around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and has a medium build, weighing approximately 70 kg (154 lbs). 

In his younger days, he had black hair and dark brown eyes, which have naturally turned salt-and-pepper with age. Even in his 70s, he maintains a smart and energetic presence, especially when appearing on television.

HeightIn centimetres: 165 cm
In meters: 1.65 m
In feet & inches: 5 feet 5 inches
WeightIn kg: 70 kg
In lbs: 154 lbs
Body Measurements44-36-15½ inches
Hair ColorBlack
Eye ColorDark brown

Sunil Gavaskar Instagram, X, Facebook

InstagramInstagram Profile@gavaskarsunilofficial
XX (Twitter) Icon@sunil_gavaskar
FacebookFacebook Profile@sunilsunnygavaskar

Interesting Facts About Sunil Gavaskar

  • Sunil Gavaskar was almost switched at birth in the hospital; a family member noticed the mistake in time.
  • His uncle, Madhav Mantri, was also a former Indian Test cricketer.
  • Sunil never wore a helmet while facing the world’s fastest bowlers.
  • Sunil Gavaskar has acted in a Marathi movie called Savli Premachi (1980).
  • He was offered a role in the Bollywood film Maa Kasam, which he declined.
  • A cricket stadium in Chennai is named after him Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion.
  • Gavaskar once captained a Rest of the World XI team in 1985.
  • He was one of the first Indian cricketers to gain commercial success through endorsements.

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