Sunil Gavaskar's 61 Not Out at 40 — Winning India the Rothmans Cup

Sharjah in the 1980s was developing as the neutral venue for India-Pakistan cricket. The Rothmans Cup final in 1985 was the most attended event there — a capacity crowd, live television, and India vs Pakistan in a knockout match.

India needed 7 off the last over against Pakistan. Gavaskar, not known as an aggressive batsman, was at the crease. The required run rate had been building through the innings. Each ball of the final over mattered.

Gavaskar hit the last ball for four. India won by 1 wicket. He finished not out 61. The crowd at Sharjah erupted.

It was a modest innings by the standards of great batting careers — but the timing, the occasion, the opposition, and the manner of the win made it one of Gavaskar's most celebrated performances. India vs Pakistan cricket in Sharjah had found its founding moment.

Gavaskar retired two years later. The Sharjah venue continued to host India-Pakistan matches throughout the 1980s and 1990s, becoming the most watched cricket ground outside the subcontinent.