
There
were two more remarkable innings, his 71 in the second innings of the
Christchurch Test of 1976, which contained three hours of disciplined
batsmanship which was ended by Howarth's superb catch in the gully. The
second knock of 107 in the December Test of 1978 in Calcutta against the
West Indies.
And finally there was the masterly innings of 96 on a turning track
against Pakistan in the Bangalore Test of 1987, which dispelled any
doubts about his ability to deal with spin on a receptive wicket.
Goodbye to the Game
Gavaskar arrived at the highest level just when India needed someone of
caliber to sustain the batting. He said farewell to the game with a
century in the Biennial Test of August 1987 at that holy of holies,
Lord's, to secure the only distinction that had thus far eluded him.