Sunil Gavaskar to get a cricket ground named after him in Leicester

Sunil Gavaskar to get a cricket ground named after him in Leicester: Former Indian legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has added another feather to his decorated cap as he will have a cricket ground named after him in England’s Leicester. Gavaskar will be the first Indian player to have a cricket ground named after him in England or in Europe.

Notably, Gavaskar already has two grounds named after him in Kentucky in the US and Tanzania’s Zanzibar.

The fearless batter of the 70s and 80s, Gavaskar made a reputation for smacking the lethal bowlers of Michael Holding and Joel Garner’s calibre. 

Reacting to the development, Gavaskar said he is delighted and honoured to have a ground named after him.

“I am delighted and honoured that a ground in Leicester is being named after me. Leicester is a city with possibly the strongest supporters of the game, especially Indian cricket, and therefore it is a huge honour indeed,” Gavaskar told The Times of India.

“The initiative was taken by UK’s Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz who has been representing Leicester in the parliament for over three decades now.”

ALSO READ: Tight Scheduling: Ways to Deal with Scheduling Issues and to Keep Players Fit in 2022. 

As per the reports, one of the pavilion walls of the five-acre cricket ground will have a giant portrait of Sunil Gavaskar. The ground is owned and run by Bharat Sports and Cricket Club.

The 73-years old cricketer has amassed 13,214 international runs in his memorable cricketing career that spanned 16 years. In his career, Gavaskar slammed 35 centuries and owned numerous records to his name.

Gavaskar was the first cricketer in the history of the sports to score 10,000 test runs. He achieved this feat, playing against arch-rivals Pakistan on March 7, 1987, in Ahmedabad.

He was also India’s crucial member in the 1983 World Cup victory under the leadership of Kapil Dev. 

ALSO READ: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of first 2 ODIs against West Indies due to knee injury