In today’s weekend post, I am writing about a Test cricket match that took place almost four decades ago and came to be known as the ‘GAVASKAR vs. MARSHALL’ contest.
The West Indies team had come to India in late 1983, and that too after they had lost the ODI World Cup final to India a few months back. They came to India to recover their pride after the WC loss. The first Test was played at Kanpur, which India lost by an innings and 83 runs, and Malcolm Marshall had a bowling figure of 4 for 19 in first innings and 4 for 47 I second innings, and he also scored 92 runs in te only innings played by West Indies.
The second Test of this series was at Feroze Shah Kotla ground at Delhi. The memory of punishing defeat at the hands of Marshall in the earlier Test was still fresh. The Indian camp was aware of Marshall’s dominance and psychological advantage the West Indies held. Most experts had predicted that Delhi would bring no reprieve, especially on a track expected to do little counteract Marshall’s pace. But on this occasion, the narrative would take a dramatic turn, led by a defiant Sunil Gavaskar.
India’s decision to bat first raised eyebrows. Choosing to face an in-form West Indies attack head-on seemed almost audacious given the collapse in earlier Test. But the Indian team saw an opportunity, they wanted to take control of the game from the onset. Sunil Gavaskar, often seen as cautious craftsman, stepped onto field with a determination that would define not only the match but his legacy.
As the innings started, Marshall wasted no time unleashing his signature weapon: a sharp, rising delivery. Yet instead of ducking or swaying away-a hallmark of Gavaskar’s style-the opener held is ground and, in an uncharacteristic display hooked the ball to boundary. This shot was not simply about scoring runs, it was a statement, a clear response to Marshall’s aggression and a message that Gavaskar was ready to dictate terms.
This aggression by Gavaskar, injected an element of surprise into the West Indies’ calculated bowling attack. The crown, expecting a patient resistance, was treated to an exhilarating show of counterattacks and powerful hooks and pulls. Gavaskar was challenging not just Marshall but the aura of invincibility, that had hallmark of West Indies bowling unit.
Gavaskar turned the tables on ‘Marshall Law’.
Marshall’s reputation as a relentless destroyer of batting line-ups was well-deserved. The memory of Kanpur was fresh-his speed, precision, and consistency had left India reeling at Kanpur. In Delhi, however Gavaskar turned these strengths against him. His footwork was impeccable, as though he anticipated the movement of each delivery before it was bowled. His timing was extraordinary, each shot seemed carefully curated, and every stroke punctuated a mounting assault on the West Indian bowlers.
With a brisk fifty of just 37 balls, Gavaskar had already shifted the momentum. His approach was almost calculated in its defiance-he alternated between punishing deliveries with hooks and pulls and deflecting them with precision. Gavaskar not only destabilzed Marshall but disrupted the entire West Indies bowling rhythm.
Michael Holding, Marshall’s bowling partner and another fast-bowling great, attempted to counter Gavaskar’s dominance with his own pace, but Gavaskar’s bat continued to find gaps with surgical precision. This forced the West Indies to rethink their strategies and adapt defensively- a rarity for a team accustomed to commanding the field.
The 29th century of Gavaskar’s career-equaling the legendary Sir Do Bradman’s record- was a milestone few expected him to reach in such a fashion. This was Gavaskar unlike any seen before, one who defied his label as a cautious accumulator of runs. His scoring rate was remarkable: 121 runs from just 128 balls, including 15 fours and 2 sixes.
While the game ended in draw, Gavaskar’s innings had achieved something far more significant: it disrupted the psychological grip the West Indies had established over India, at least temporarily. His calculated yet aggressive approach dismantled the “ Marshall Law” that has seemed unbreakable proving that India could stand with the best. Marshall’s bowling figure reflected the impact: a bruised 1 for 105 from 24 overs, illustrating Gavaskar’s ability to not only withstand pressure but reverse it.
For the West Indies, Gavaskar’s innings was an unforeseen challenge. Their usual tactics- overwhelming batsmen with the pace and intimidation-had failed against an opponent who redefined his own style to meet the challenge head-on.
Gavaskar’s 121 in Delhi remains a testament to the adaptability and mental resilience of a batsman often pigeonholes as a technical, defensive player. His innings demonstrated that he was not confined to a single approach, he could shift tactics when situation demanded.
This innings not only elevated Gavaskar’s reputation but also reminded the cricketing world of the power of strategy, grit, and sheer will. Gavaskar reminded everyone that behind every composed artist lies a fierce competitor, ready to challenge even the most unyielding adversaries.
Gavaskar’s innings at Delhi thus endures as more than a memory; it is an essential chapter in the annals of cricket, a reminder that even against the most intimidating odds, technical courage and skill can rewrite history.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
8th November 2024