That only one Indian batsman has carried his bat through a Test innings? (7 June 2002)

Batting through a Test innings is indeed a considerably daunting feat. Understandably then, in the 1605 Tests played until now, it has only been accomplished on 41 occasions. The first opener to achieve the distinction was South Africa's Augustus Bernard Tancred, way back in 1889, while the last man to get there as of date has been Bangladesh's Javed Omar. In between, one Indian also earned the honour.

He was none other than Sunil Gavaskar, India's greatest opener. The little master accomplished the feat in a match against India's traditional rivals Pakistan in their own backyard of Faisalabad in January 1983.

The Test in question, the third of a six-match series, began with India making 372 in their first innings after being put in by Pakistan skipper Imran Khan. The home team made a more-than-fitting reply when their turn came, racking up 652 runs before being dismissed. Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Saleem Malik and Imran Khan all scored hundreds, making it the first occasion when four Pakistani batsmen had gone past the landmark in the same innings. For India, Kapil Dev claimed seven wickets but he also became the first bowler to concede over 200 runs in a Test innings against Pakistan.

With more than a day's play remaining, India needed to bat out of their collective skin to save the match. Gavaskar was determined and his impeccable technique helped him withstand everything that the Pakistan attack threw at him. But with the exception of Mohinder Amarnath, in the high noon of an illustrious batting career, none of the remaining batsmen got beyond 16. Gavaskar's 127 not out and Amarnath's 78 could then only help India avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat.

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