Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar may have retired from the game decades ago, but his influence continues to inspire generations of cricketers. The latest name to join that list is teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who emerged as one of the brightest young stars of IPL 2026 and recently revealed that Gavaskar remains one of his biggest inspirations.
Reacting to the youngster’s admiration, Gavaskar said he feels truly blessed that a player who never watched him play live still considers him a role model.
“It makes me feel blessed that somebody who may not have even seen me play, apart from a few old videos, would say that. Youngsters today have so many influences around them, so for them to look up to you in that way is a blessing,” Gavaskar said.
The former India captain believes the future of Indian cricket is brighter than ever. He praised the immense talent emerging across the country and credited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for creating opportunities at every level of the game.
According to Gavaskar, Indian cricket’s growth is not limited to the men’s game. He highlighted the development of women’s cricket and the increasing number of domestic tournaments that provide young players with valuable exposure.
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“There is incredible talent in Indian cricket today. The opportunities available now are far greater than they were in earlier generations. Cricket has become a genuine career option, and parents are encouraging their children to pursue the sport professionally,” he said.
Gavaskar also pointed out that regional-language commentary has helped cricket reach a wider audience, inspiring youngsters from smaller towns and villages to dream of representing India.
When asked whether modern cricket has become too favourable for batters, Gavaskar acknowledged that T20 cricket often tilts in favour of batsmen. However, he maintained that Test cricket and One-Day Internationals still provide a balanced contest between bat and ball.
“T20 cricket is more entertainment-oriented, which is why batting performances often dominate. But in Test matches and ODIs, skill, temperament and conditions continue to test both batters and bowlers equally,” he explained.
Beyond cricket, Gavaskar remains deeply involved in social causes. He has been associated with the Gift of Life initiative through the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre, which provides free life-saving heart surgeries for underprivileged children.
Describing this chapter of his life as his “third innings,” Gavaskar revealed that helping children and their families has brought him immense satisfaction.
He shared that witnessing the transformation in parents from fear and despair before surgery to tears of joy after successful operations—has given him a sense of fulfillment greater than many of his achievements on the cricket field.
“Seeing those parents smile after their child’s successful surgery has given me more happiness than scoring a double century,” he said.
Despite his remarkable journey as one of India’s greatest cricketers, commentator and philanthropist, Gavaskar remains humble about the idea of a film based on his life. When asked whether he would be open to a biopic, he dismissed the possibility with his trademark humour.
“My life is not interesting at all, so no biopic for me,” he joked.
From inspiring a new generation of cricketers like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to helping transform lives off the field, Sunil Gavaskar’s legacy continues to grow long after his playing days ended.
