Wasim Akram is quite right when he says that he found Sunil Gavaskar to be a very difficult batsman to dislodge. The reason is simple. Gavaskar's batting was defence-oriented and as per the coaching manual. As he did not take risks, he occupied the maximum time on the crease. Therefore, most bowlers bowled maidens to him. The bulk of his scoring was in ones and twos. Gavaskar's obsession was to occupy maximum time on the crease and, though he was an opening batsman, I do remember him completing his century within a day. He normally required over a day to complete his century and due to his slow batting many matches that could have been won, were drawn. As Gavaskar always defended, bowlers found it difficult to bowl him out. Another batsman who was exactly like Gavaskar is the present day ace commentator, Geoff Boycott and probably John Edrich. I feel Gavaskar played for himself - rather than his team, country or to upkeep the traditions of the game. Gavaskar has no credentials as a one one day batsman, a result-oriented version of the game where even a tail-ender has to score. Therefore, Gavaskar has only one century that he got at the fag end.
