Touch of Fortune: Sobers, Gavaskar, and the Superstition Behind a Historic Series
India's tour of West Indies in 1971.
India’s tour of the West Indies in 1971 is a landmark event for more reasons than one. While India scripted their maiden test series victory in the Caribbean, a young and dynamic Sunil Gavaskar amassed 774 runs, a record for the most runs scored by a batter in their debut series, which stands unbroken till date. It is no exaggeration to say that luck wrapped itself around Gavaskar like a protective cloak on that fateful tour, one that would anoint him as India’s premier batsman for years to come.
Having missed the first Test because of a painful whitlow, Gavaskar finally walked into international cricket in the second Test at Port of Spain. On 12, attempting an elegant drive, he offered a chance that West Indies captain Garfield Sobers put down.
From that reprieve, Gavaskar crafted a fluent 65. This was one of the many field lapses by the home team that aided Gavaskar in his dream run. He followed that first knock with another composed half-century in the second innings, as if he had always belonged on that stage.
By the third Test, Gavaskar was dismantling the West Indian attack with unnerving composure. Yet even he was not immune to nerves, and at one tense moment he popped up a simple catch off Jack Noreiga.
Only a last-minute field change saved him. Had the fielder not been moved just before that delivery, Gavaskar’s story that day might have ended in despair instead of glory. Buoyed by that stroke of fortune, the Little Master marched on to his maiden Test century.
If you’re enjoying reading this post, consider SHARING my newsletter for free with your friends and colleagues, and help my blog reach a larger audience! Come, let’s celebrate and enjoy cricket together!
Garfield Sobers had a cherished ritual of greeting opposition players before a match, and he frequently wandered into the Indian dressing room. Struggling through a lean patch, the great man one day walked up to Gavaskar and in a seemingly casual gesture, laid a hand on him, as though hoping to siphon off a little of the young opener’s charmed fortune. As fate would have it, the magic worked as Sobers ended up scoring three consecutive centuries.
India entered the final Test 1–0 up, the series poised for a dramatic climax. The West Indies needed 262 runs on the last day to win the Test and square the series, a target that seemed well within reach for a line‑up led by Sobers. As was his habit, the West Indies captain set off on his pre‑match tour of the Indian dressing room, ready to exchange pleasantries and perhaps brush shoulders with fortune once more.
But this time, Ajit Wadekar, India’s shrewd and superstitious captain, had other ideas. Fearing that another touch of Gavaskar might gift Sobers yet more runs, he locked his star opener in the washroom, determined that the West Indies giant would not lay a finger on him that morning.
Gavaskar protested as he had to pad up but Wadekar was adamant. Sobers could not meet Gavaskar that morning in the dressing room. Call it miracle, mind game, or mere superstition, but what followed has passed into folklore. Sobers strode out to begin the chase and was dismissed first ball for a duck by Abid Ali, the great champion cut down in an instant.
Wadekar’s gamble had paid off, and with Sobers gone, India surged towards a historic triumph. As the final West Indian wicket fell and India sealed the series, an entire nation exulted, not just in a victory overseas, but in a story where luck, belief, and nerve had intertwined to script history.
Maybe consider buying me a cup of coffee?
While everything on CFC is free to read, we have been a reader-supported platform since the beginning Your support helps me sustain this dream and to keep researching, writing, and traveling to cricket grounds to bring you stories that matter.
New story drops every Wednesday!
In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.
If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.
You may also like:
The Wristband Saga
January 1993. Benson and Hedges World Series Cup. Australia was taking on the West Indies for the first final. Two spirited personalities - Dean Jones and Curtly Ambrose came against each other. Not exactly for conventional reasons. Chasing 240, Dean Jones walked out to bat at the loss of David Boon’s wicket.
Book Review: The Rise of the Hitman
The rise of the hitman maps the journey of one of India's most accomplished cricketers.
Interesting anecdote, Lakshit. Calling it a superstition sort of thing reminded me of Broad's 'bails' supersition against Marnus in Ashes.