The Little Master turns to social media to track down a decades-old painting gifted by the legendary artist to commemorate his record-breaking 30th Test century.
MUMBAI: Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has launched a heartfelt search for a piece of history that has been missing from his collection for decades. The former captain has reached out to the global community to help him “reconnect” with a bespoke painting created by the iconic artist MF Husain, a masterpiece gifted to him to mark one of the most significant milestones in sporting history.
Taking to social media, Gavaskar shared a vintage, grainy photograph featuring himself, his wife Marshneill, and the late “Picasso of India,” MF Husain, standing alongside the artwork.
“The incomparable MF Husain saab painted this after my 30th Test century… to my friends here, if you ever come across it, please do inform me,” Gavaskar posted, expressing a deep desire to find the long-lost tribute.
A Tribute to a World Record
The painting holds immense sentimental and historical value, as it was commissioned following Gavaskar’s historic 30th Test century in 1983. By reaching that milestone, Gavaskar surpassed the legendary Sir Don Bradman’s then-world record for the most Test centuries.
The feat was achieved during a grueling series against Clive Lloyd’s formidable West Indies. Playing at Chennai (then Madras) during the Christmas period, Gavaskar played a masterclass innings, remaining unbeaten on 236—a performance that remains etched in the annals of cricket history.
The Union of Two Masters
The sought-after painting represents a unique intersection of Indian sports and fine art. While Gavaskar was the premier “Little Master” of the cricket pitch, MF Husain was the undisputed titan of the Indian modern art movement. Husain, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, was known for his vibrant, bold style and his ability to capture the essence of Indian culture and its icons.
Husain passed away in 2011 at the age of 95, making the missing painting a rare relic of a personal bond between two of India’s greatest sons.
The Search Continues
Sunil Gavaskar retired from international cricket with 34 Test centuries, a record that stood for nearly two decades until it was broken by Sachin Tendulkar. However, for the veteran opener, this specific painting remains a “missing innings” in his life.
Art collectors, historians, and fans worldwide are being urged to share any information regarding the current location of the painting to help the legend reclaim a vital piece of his legacy.
