221 AT THE OVAL

221 AT THE OVAL

Junglees flocking the ground after Gavaskar's century. The solitary spectator malhandling Gavaskar and giving him a poke in his nose for good measure is the nastiest tribute one can possibly pay to a double centurion. Vengasarkar's risky single to get off the pair, that could actually have run Gavaskar out and thwarted India's chances, stands out as a classic illustration of a batsman's selfishness. It is perhaps a pointer to Vengasarkar's character or was it a one-off affair not to be analysed so seriously after all? Gavaskar through all this ordeal was in good humour throughout and delighted the spectators with an array of beautiful strokes amidst superb placement in an unblemished innings of matchless quality that has gone down in the annals of cricket as one of the great Test Match innings ever played in England or perhaps anywhere in the world. This single knock has elevated Gavaskar to legendary status. Of course, Gavaskar's career record has cemented such an iconic status.

Written by Sugata Bose