The 1987 Test match between India and Pakistan at Bengaluru remains etched in history, not for the match result but for Sunil Gavaskar’s iconic knock of 96. Despite losing the game, Gavaskar’s innings on an unplayable pitch stands as one of the finest exhibitions of batting, still admired by fans and cricket legends alike. In a rain-interrupted Bengaluru Test, this masterclass was remembered as one of the bravest efforts by any batsman under difficult conditions.
A Deadly Pitch That Tested Both Teams
The final Test of the 1987 India-Pakistan series took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The series was tied 0-0, with four drawn Tests leading to this decider. Pakistan batted first but collapsed for 116 runs as India’s left-arm spinner Maninder Singh wreaked havoc, taking 7 wickets for just 27 runs. The pitch, however, had only started to reveal its true nature.
India fared slightly better in their first innings, managing 145 runs, giving the hosts a slim lead. But it was clear that the wicket was deteriorating fast, making life difficult for the batters. By the second innings, the pitch had transformed into a spinners’ paradise, with uneven bounce and sharp turn challenging even the best players.
Gavaskar’s Genius: Batting Against the Odds
When India came out to bat for their second innings, the match was in a precarious state. The Pakistani spinners, Iqbal Qasim and Tausif Ahmed, were extracting vicious turn and bounce from the surface. Balls were flying off the pitch unpredictably, some shooting up like bouncers, while others kept dangerously low.
This was where Sunil Gavaskar, known as the “Little Master,” showcased his brilliance. His ability to adapt quickly to conditions made him one of the finest batsmen of his era. Having built a reputation for mastering fast bowlers, Gavaskar now proved his mettle on a spinning track too.
Mastering the Art of Late Shots
Gavaskar’s knock was a lesson in reading pitches and adjusting shot selection. Recognizing that the pitch offered no margin for driving, Gavaskar focused on playing late cuts and delicate shots behind the wicket. His precision forced Imran Khan to withdraw the slip fielders and crowd the infield, but Gavaskar cleverly adjusted and started targeting gaps with deft late cuts.
A Battle of Wits Between Gavaskar and Pakistani Spinners
The Pakistani bowlers had the upper hand for most of the innings, but Gavaskar’s calmness stood out. On one occasion, Tausif Ahmed bowled a ball that bounced awkwardly, forcing Gavaskar to sway away as if facing a bouncer from a pacer. Despite the unpredictable conditions, he continued to pierce gaps and kept India’s hopes alive.
By the time Gavaskar reached 75, half of India’s side had been dismissed for just 147. With a potential historic win for Pakistan looming, the crowd in Bengaluru pinned their hopes on Gavaskar’s blade.
The Heartbreaking End at 96
Just when a century seemed within reach, Gavaskar fell on 96 to a ball from Iqbal Qasim that spun sharply and bounced into his gloves, giving a simple catch to the slips. His dismissal not only ended India’s hopes of saving the match but also left the spectators heartbroken.
Despite falling short of a hundred, Gavaskar’s innings remains an inspiration. Commentator Chishti Mujahid, watching the master at work, remarked that no other batsman could have played with such skill on a crumbling pitch.
A Knock Remembered Through the Ages
Though India lost the match, Gavaskar’s gritty 96 was celebrated as one of the finest innings ever played on a turning wicket. Gavaskar himself considers it one of the best performances of his career, despite playing in many memorable matches. This knock at Bengaluru in 1987 remains a textbook example of how to bat against world-class spinners on an unplayable surface.
Even today, cricket enthusiasts fondly recall the innings, and it continues to serve as a lesson for modern-day batters on how to handle tricky conditions with patience, precision, and skill.
