WATCH: When Sunil Gavaskar Reacted With Unusual Enthusiasm After Becoming 1st Cricketer To Score 10,000 Test Runs

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar, who is not known for displaying many emotions, responded with extraordinary zeal after reaching the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, turns 74 today. Aside from being one of the most successful batters in Test cricket history, the 'Little Master' is also known for his sly humour. Gavaskar, who went on to become one of the most respected voices in cricket after joining commentary, was the first batsman in Test cricket history to score 10,000 runs. He attained the astounding accomplishment in his career's 124th Test match, India vs Pakistan clash at Ahmedabad in March 1987. Gavaskar, who is not known for displaying many emotions, responded with extraordinary zeal after reaching the 10,000-run mark.

In an interview after crossing the 10,000 Test runs benchmark, Gavaskar gave a rare enthusiastic reaction. 

“It’s just the fact that 10,000 runs is something I never expected to score in my life. It’s 9,000 runs too many. I would have been very happy with 1,000 runs in my Test career, but this is 9,000 runs plus for me. So I think it was just a moment of sheer joy for me. I suppose, there are moments when one can’t always control one’s emotions. This was one of those.”

When asked about the how he mentally prepared himself before the match and about the whole situation, Gavaskar said:

“There wasn’t any mental preparation as such. It was just that I knew I had to get going, had to get some runs, give the side a start, then the required number of runs would come in. I just played as if I was opening in another Test match. I was very keen to get it done fast because it was really getting to me - everybody meeting and telling you 10,000. So I am really happy that’s past now.”

Gavaskar ended his Test career on a high note with 10,122 runs from 125 matches and an average of 51.12, including 34 hundreds, and 45 fifties.

Gavaskar's forthright and bold comments have kept him in the news 36 years even so many years after his retirement. The former India captain has kept himself relevant by voicing out his opinions and establishing his astute readership for the game. Being an active commentator, he is still connected to all the aspects of cricket on and off the field.