Indian batting star Gavaskar has a UK cricket stadium named in his honour

Sunil Gavaskar has been honoured in the United Kingdom, over 35 years after his last Test match, with the announcement that a stadium in Leicester would be named after the Indian cricketing hero.

Gavaskar (73) is a highly recognised writer and commentator who formerly held the record for both most runs and most hundreds in Test matches, as well as being the first batter to achieve 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

“I am overjoyed and honoured that a stadium in Leicester has been named after me. Leicester has some of the most ardent fans of the game, particularly Indian cricket, therefore it is a big honour,” Gavaskar told The Times of India.

The five-acre field is owned by Bharat Sports and Cricket Club, and one of the pavilion walls has already been painted with a massive painting of the 73-year-old. Gavaskar is the first Indian cricketer in England or anywhere else in Europe to have a field named after him. He already has stadiums in Kentucky, in the US, and Zanzibar, in Tanzania, named after him. Keith Vaz, the longest-serving MP in the UK with Indian roots, came up with the idea to name the Leicester ground after Gavaskar.

“We are happy and honoured that Gavaskar has consented to have this pitch and field named after him,” Vaz added “He is a living icon who has captivated Indians and other cricket fans throughout the years with his record-breaking achievements.”

“To us, he is more than simply the ‘Little Master,’ he is a tremendous master of the game.”