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The 1975 – 76 season saw three and four Test tours of New Zealand and the West Indies respectively.

Gavaskar led India in a Test for the first time in January 1976 against New Zealand during the First Test in Auckland when regular captain Bishen Bedi was suffering from a leg injury.

Standing in despite having scored only 703 runs at 28. 12 since his debut series, Gavaskar rewarded the selectors with 116 and 35 *.

As a result, India secured an eight wicket victory.

He ended the series with 266 runs at 66. 33.

On the West Indian leg of the tour, Gavaskar scored consecutive centuries of 156 and 102 in the Second and Third Tests, both in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

These were his third and fourth centuries at the grounds.

In the Third Test, his 102 helped India post 4 / 406 to set a world record for the highest winning fourth innings score.

The Indians ’ mastery of the Caribbean spinners on a turning track reportedly led West Indian captain Clive Lloyd to vow that he would rely on pace alone in future Tests.

Gavaskar totalled 390 runs at 55. 71 for the series.