At the time of his retirement from Test cricket, how many Test centuries had Sunil Gavaskar scored?

Introduction / Context:
Sunil Gavaskar is one of India's greatest opening batsmen and a pioneer in Test cricket. Before modern players broke his records, he set high standards for batting longevity and consistency. This question tests your knowledge of a key statistic from his career: the number of Test centuries he had scored by the time he retired. Such factual details are classic sports general knowledge questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The player in question is Sunil Gavaskar.
• The format is Test cricket.
• We focus on the number of Test centuries at the point of his retirement.
• Options are 23, 34, 45, 54 and 28.

Concept / Approach:
Gavaskar retired with 34 Test centuries, a world record at that time. Later, other players such as Sachin Tendulkar surpassed this tally, but historically 34 remained tied to Gavaskar's career. To answer correctly, we must recall that this number, 34, is frequently mentioned in cricket statistics and discussions about all time great batsmen.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify that the question is specifically about Test centuries, not overall centuries in all formats. 2. Recall standard cricket trivia: Sunil Gavaskar scored 34 Test centuries. 3. Recognise that this tally was a world record for most Test centuries at the time of his retirement. 4. Compare this remembered number with the options 23, 34, 45, 54 and 28. 5. Select 34 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cricket record books and reliable sports statistics websites list Sunil Gavaskar's Test record, including total runs and centuries. All of them record 34 Test centuries in his career. Because dozens of independent sources match this figure, it is safe to accept 34 as correct. Cross checking through multiple references prevents confusion with records of other players.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 23: This underestimates his achievements and does not match official statistics.
• 45: This number is more closely associated with other players' overall centuries, not Gavaskar's Test hundreds.
• 54: Far above his actual Test century count and not tied to his records.
• 28: Also incorrect and not reflected in any official record for Gavaskar's Test centuries.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Test centuries with total international centuries or mix up Gavaskar's record with that of Sachin Tendulkar, who went far beyond 34. Another mistake is to choose a high number thinking that legends must have extremely large century counts. Remembering that 34 was once the Test world record and specifically associated with Gavaskar helps lock this detail in memory.

Final Answer:
When Sunil Gavaskar retired from Test cricket, he had scored 34 Test centuries.