Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar attributed his achievement of being the first player to reach 10,000 Test runs to legendary Pakistan skipper Imran Khan. Gavaskar accomplished this milestone in March 1987 during a match against Pakistan in Ahmedabad. Reflecting on his career during a discussion with Wasim Akram, Gavaskar shared how he initially planned to retire after the 1986 series but was persuaded by Imran to continue, as he wanted to beat India with Gavaskar playing. This decision allowed Gavaskar to surpass 10,000 runs, further cementing his historical status in cricket, akin to Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s Everest ascent.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has praised the iconic Pakistan skipper Imran Khan for playing a pivotal role in his achievement of becoming the first player to score 10,000 Test runs. In March 1987, Gavaskar reached this landmark during a Test match against Pakistan in Ahmedabad. While 14 other players have since achieved this feat, Gavaskar’s accomplishment remains distinctive as he was the inaugural player to reach this milestone. During a conversation on Ten Sports, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram inquired with Gavaskar about his experience of being the first cricketer to attain 10,000 runs.
“It was an absolutely incredible feeling to reach 10,000 runs. When I began my career, I never imagined I would actualize such a milestone. Just reaching 1,000 runs would have made me extremely happy. I wasn’t particularly ambitious. Moreover, as the first player to reach this mark, I believe many will surpass it, but like Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary are remembered as the first to scale Mount Everest, I too will be remembered as the first to hit 10,000 runs,” Gavaskar shared with Akram and others during their discussion.
Gavaskar has now revealed that it was Imran Khan who encouraged him to continue his career, persuading him not to retire ahead of Pakistan’s anticipated tour of India, pending approval.
“I had the opportunity to achieve this milestone thanks to the one and only Imran Khan. The year prior in England, after the first Test, Imran and I dined at an Italian restaurant for lunch. I mentioned to him that this series would be my last in 1986. I told him I would quit after this. He strongly disagreed and said, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ I responded, ‘What do you mean? It’s my decision.’ He insisted, ‘No, no, Pakistan is coming to India. I want to defeat India while you’re playing. I don’t want to win against India without you, it wouldn’t be the same.’ I argued that Pakistan’s tour wasn’t confirmed. He assured me, ‘The ICC meeting is happening, and you’ll hear the announcement next week.’ I agreed that if the announcement was made, I would continue. But if not, I would retire after the series. Sure enough, the announcement was made, and I carried on. Had I retired then, I would have finished with around 9,200-9,300 runs. But thanks to that encouragement, I reached 10,000 runs. Also, before Pakistan’s arrival, there were two other matches,” he added.
Thanks to Wasim Akram Bhai for asking my question to Sir Sunil Gavaskar, and for sharing his detailed memories of becoming the first-ever Test cricketer to surpass the milestone of 10,000 Test runs.#AskTheRoom #dpworld https://t.co/frMNXRn1zc pic.twitter.com/LKRPxRrSNu
— Zohaib (Cricket King) (@Zohaib1981) February 27, 2025
Topics mentioned in this article