Indian maestro Gavaskar inducted in Hall of Fame

Former India captain and batting legnd Sunil Gavaskar was formally inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame, the ICC said Thursday.

The 62-year-old former opener was presented the Hall of Fame cap by former Indian captain Kapil Dev in the presence of Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive at a function held on Wednesday night, ICC said.

Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman in Test cricket to get 10,000 runs and 30 centuries, finishing with 10,122 and 34 hundreds during an illustrious career which spanned from 1971-87.

"It is a huge honour because it is the peers in the game who decide who is going to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. It has taken some time to co-ordinate the presentation but finally it is there and I am delighted that I have been inducted," said Gavaskar.

"This (award) means that you are in select company and, therefore, it becomes all the more special. To be an original inductee is an even bigger honour."

Gavaskar is one of the initial 55 inductees in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame which was launched in January 2009 in association with the Federation of International Cricketers? Associations (FICA) as part of the ICC?s Centenary Year.

Gavaskar now joins a Hall of Fame that includes 72 male and female cricketers.

He was also a member of the India squad that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983 in England, defeating the West Indies by 43 runs.

Gavaskar showed delight on getting the cap from his former captain.

"Dev and I have had some wonderful times. Being part of the World Cup-winning squad is a memory that will always stay with me. Dev lifting the Cup at Lord's is something that I will always treasure and, therefore, to receive the cap from him makes this occasion even more special."

Dev also acknowledged Gavaskar's contributions for India.

"It is a proud moment to be in the same group where Gavaskar is. In our time, we used to think and even till today we think he is one of the best-ever opening batsman and the greatest player in my era," said Dev.