Sunil Gavaskar turns 77: Jackie Shroff shares throwback with warm wishes
Synopsis
Sunil Gavaskar marks his 77th birthday with tributes flowing in from Bollywood — Jackie Shroff posted a rare monochrome throwback of the batting great. The moment is a reminder of Gavaskar's unmatched legacy: the first man to 10,000 Test runs, a 65.45 average against the feared West Indies pace attack, and two major trophies as India's captain.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Gavaskar turned 77 on 10 July 2025 .
Jackie Shroff shared a monochrome throwback image on his Instagram Stories with birthday wishes.
Gavaskar was the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket , representing India from 1971 to 1987 .
He averaged 65.45 against the West Indies , widely regarded as the most fearsome pace attack in Test history.
As captain, Gavaskar led India to the 1984 Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985 .
Jackie Shroff stars in the upcoming comedy 'Welcome To The Jungle' , the third film in the Welcome franchise.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar celebrated his 77th birthday on Friday, 10 July, with Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff among the first to mark the occasion, sharing a vintage monochrome photograph of the cricket icon alongside heartfelt birthday wishes.
Jackie Shroff's Tribute
Taking to his Instagram Stories, Shroff posted a black-and-white image of Gavaskar from his playing days, captioning it simply: '#happy birthday warm wishes', accompanied by a bat and ball emoji. The gesture reflects the warm camaraderie Shroff is known for within Indian entertainment and sports circles.
Gavaskar's Cricketing Legacy
Sunil Gavaskar represented India from 1971 to 1987, becoming the first batsman in history to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen the game has produced, Gavaskar was particularly celebrated for his technique against pace bowling.
His batting average of 65.45 against the West Indies — whose four-pronged fast bowling attack is broadly considered the most formidable in Test history — stands as a testament to his exceptional skill and temperament under pressure.
Leadership and Team Achievements
As captain of the Indian national cricket team, Gavaskar was credited with introducing a more attacking brand of leadership. Under his captaincy, India clinched the 1984 Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985, landmark triumphs that helped elevate the team's standing on the global stage.
Jackie Shroff's Upcoming Film
On the professional front, Jackie Shroff is set to appear in director Ahmed Khan's comedy 'Welcome To The Jungle', the third instalment in the popular Welcome franchise. The original film released in 2007, directed by Anees Bazmee, followed by 'Welcome Back' in 2015.
The new film features an expansive ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Mika Singh, Daler Mehndi, Tusshar Kapoor, and several others. The plot follows police officers Jay Bakshi and Sandhya as they pursue elusive criminal Raj Solanki, only to confront unexpected personal connections that blur the line between duty and emotion.
As Gavaskar turns 77, tributes from across cricket and entertainment continue to pour in, reaffirming his enduring place in India's sporting consciousness.
Point of View
But it underlines something larger: Gavaskar's crossover appeal across generations of Indian public life. Few cricketers from the pre-satellite era command the same organic affection from Bollywood, business, and cricket circles alike. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is that Gavaskar's 65.45 average against the West Indies — achieved without helmets in his early career — remains one of the most statistically remarkable feats in Test history, and yet it is rarely front-and-centre in anniversary coverage. The Welcome franchise footnote is incidental, but it reflects how Indian celebrity ecosystems overlap in ways that keep legacy figures like Gavaskar perpetually relevant across media verticals.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sunil Gavaskar in 2025?
Sunil Gavaskar turned 77 on 10 July 2025. He was born on 10 July 1949 in Mumbai and represented India in Test cricket from 1971 to 1987.
What is Sunil Gavaskar's biggest record in cricket?
Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman in history to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. He is also renowned for his batting average of 65.45 against the West Indies, considered the most formidable pace attack in Test history.
What did Jackie Shroff post for Sunil Gavaskar's birthday?
Jackie Shroff shared a monochrome throwback photograph of Gavaskar on his Instagram Stories, captioning it '#happy birthday warm wishes' with a bat and ball emoji.
What trophies did Sunil Gavaskar win as India's captain?
As captain of the Indian national cricket team, Sunil Gavaskar led India to the 1984 Asia Cup title and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985, two of the most significant team honours of that era.
What is Jackie Shroff's next film?
Jackie Shroff is set to appear in 'Welcome To The Jungle', a comedy directed by Ahmed Khan and the third instalment of the Welcome franchise. The film features a large ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, and many others.
