Statistics alone say everything about "The Little Master" - 10,122 Test runs (second only to Allan Border), an average of 51.12 over 125 matches, and a record 34 centuries.

But the true joy in watching Gavaskar bat was in revelling in how one of the shortest of batsmen - 5ft 4?in - could so dominate against the tallest and most feared fast bowlers.

Against the West Indies he was supreme, making his debut in the Caribbean in 1971 and scoring 774 runs at 154.80 in four Tests and, seven years later, scoring four centuries in as many matches, including 205 in Bombay.

A glittering career, was concluded with a century for the Rest of the World XI against MCC at Lord's, his first at headquarters.

For a mild man, he possessed a ruthless streak. In the first World Cup match, at Lord's in 1975, he batted through the innings (174 balls) for 36 not out in protest against the one-day game.