Sunil Gavaskar recalls how he reacted to Hilarious Encounter with a Pitch Invader at Lord’s featuring Kris Srikaanth

Cricket has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments, but few are as bizarre and endearing as the incident that unfolded during India’s tour of England in 1986 at Lord’s. This memorable episode featured India’s cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar and a streaker who managed to capture both attention and amusement in equal measure.

The scene was set at the hallowed grounds of Lord’s, where Gavaskar, nearing the end of his illustrious career, was in the midst of a competitive Test match. The game was progressing as expected until an unexpected

disruption occurred: a female streaker burst onto the field, disrupting the play. What set this streaker apart from others was not just her audacity, but the banner she carried which read, “Bring Back Botham.”

The message was clear—this was a protest against the suspension of England’s Ian Botham, who had been sidelined for smoking cannabis. While the streaker’s protest was bold, the real spectacle was Gavaskar’s reaction. Known for his focus and discipline, Gavaskar was momentarily faced with an unusual dilemma.

Amid the chaos, Gavaskar’s primary concern was not the interruption itself but the potential damage to the pitch, particularly the good length area, caused by the streaker’s heels. In a light-hearted retelling, Gavaskar humorously recounted how he attempted to address the situation with a mix of politeness and firmness. “So she came, more like ran over, and at that time she was wearing heels. My only concern was that the pitch, especially the good length area, shouldn’t get damaged because of those big heels she was wearing,” Gavaskar later reflected with a chuckle.

The incident did not only catch Gavaskar off guard but also affected his batting partner, Kris Srikanth. Struggling at the crease, Srikanth’s performance was further disrupted by the unexpected intruder. Observing the commotion, Gavaskar reassured Srikanth, telling him, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry,” in an effort to help him refocus on the game.

As the streaker was escorted off the field by the authorities, the match resumed, but not without its share of lingering amusement. Gavaskar, ever the professional, remained focused on the game despite noticing that the ball was not coming off the bat as expected. The bowler seemed particularly vexed, almost as if the invader’s presence had unnerved him more than the batsmen.

This incident has since become a cherished anecdote in cricketing lore, highlighting the sport’s ability to deliver moments of levity amidst its intense competition. It serves as a reminder of how even the most serious of sports can be punctuated by unexpected and quirky events. The next time you hear about streakers or pitch invaders, remember the light-hearted disruption at Lord’s, where even Sunil Gavaskar had to contend with high heels on the pitch.