Sunil Gavaskar ended his career with 10,122 runs in 125 Tests with 34 centuries to his name.
Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar was the first to go past the 10,000-run milestone in cricket. He achieved the feat during his brilliant knock in the Ahmedabad Test during the 1987 series against Pakistan at home.
While 14 other players have since reached the milestone, Gavaskar's achievement stands out because he was the first. During a conversation on the DP World Dressing Room show, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram asked Gavaskar about becoming the first player to reach 10,000 runs in Tests.
“Absolutely amazing feeling to get 10,000. When I started my career, I never thought that I would reach 10,000 runs. If I got 1,000 runs I would've been very happy. Wasn't that ambitious. Also, being the first I said that many would go past but like Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary are remembered as the first to climb Mount Everest, the first to get to 10,000 runs will be remembered," Gavaskar said on the DP World show.
Gavaskar has now stated that Imran was instrumental in helping him reach the milestone, encouraging him not to retire while Pakistan was scheduled to travel to India pending approval.
"I got the opportunity to do it because of the one and only Imran Khan. Now, the year before in England, after the first Test me and Imran went to an Italian restaurant for Lunch. I told him that this series was going to be my last and this was 1986. I told him that I will quit after this. He said 'no, no you can't do that'. I said what do you mean I can't do that; it's my choice. He said 'no, no Pakistan are coming to India. I want to beat India with you playing. I don't want to beat India (without you) as it won't be the same'.
I said Pakistan is not coming. He said the ICC meeting will be happening so you'll hear the announcement next week. I said if they will announce it, I will carry on. But if the announcement doesn't come, I will retire after this series. Sure enough, the announcement came through. So I carried on. Had I retired that time, I would've had 9200-9300 runs. But because of that, I got to 10,000 runs. Before Pakistan came, there were two other series," he added.
Here is the video: