The on-field rivalry between India and Pakistan has always been existent, be it in the form of friendly banters, or in the form of serious fights. Former Pakistani batter Javed Miandad was most often an important part when it came to these banters or fights.
However, Miandad has always spoken highly of Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and shown immense respect for his unbreakable temperament and flawless technique against the fastest bowlers of the era.
Miandad believes that current batters should watch video clips of Sunil Gavaskar’s batting, to take note of how he faced the fast bowlers of his time, the likes of Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Dennis Lillee, and Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, and others.
In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Miandad was heard saying, "It was amazing that given his short height, how well he played all over the world. His consistency and performances are remarkable."
Miandad added that Gavaskar's defense against the fast bowlers and his perfect body balance despite his short height are things that young players should try and learn.
"Players nowadays can learn so much from watching his videos. See how he coped with the fast bowlers despite his short height. He played in an era where he faced the most fearsome pace bowlers in the West Indies, England, Australia, New Zealand, and even against Pakistan, and yet he was successful," Miandad said.
Opening up about the rapport he shared with the former India skipper, Miandad said that he enjoyed watching Gavaskar bat, and while fielding close to him, tried to break his focus with constant chatters.
He said:"I enjoyed watching him bat. I remember I used to field close to him and keep chattering away to distract him as his level of concentration and focus was so high. There were times when I managed to disturb his focus and when he got out he always used to leave cursing me and I enjoyed it."
Speaking about another former Indian batting legend, Gundappa Vishwanath, Miandad said, "Vishwanath was another top player but Gavaskar was exceptional."
(PTI Inputs)
