Cricket is a wonderful game and I have followed it for almost 4 more decades. Over the years I have watched countless Test matches and witnessed some really great innings. But the innings that created the most profound effect on me were those played by Gundappa Vishwanath against the West Indies in 1974. India was captained by the Nawab of Pataudi and this was the fourth Test of the series.
The West Indies had a fearsome pace attack led by Andy Roberts and Holding. It was a great team. Pataudi won the toss and chose to win. Perhaps the game plan was to ensure the West Indies batted last, when the pitch was expected to help Indian spinners Prasanna and Bedi. But the game plan seemed to fail as the West Indian bowlers put on a furious show.
The Indian openers soon returned and Vishy stepped in. Keep in mind that he batted without a helmet. At one point he took command with some exquisite shots. I remember a square cut from Roberts that went over the edge like greased lightning. It was authoritative hitting the likes of which I have not seen. But the wickets continued to fall at the other end and India soon ran to a pathetic score of 118 for 8. Sikh Bishen Singh Bedi stepped in and held one end while Vishy sliced and tossed past the fast bowlers with magical ease.
Fast pitchers now resorted to short throws, but Vishy held his own and played some glorious shots. I remember a Roberts hook shot that left fielders on their feet as Vishy neared his hundred. But the tail ends were soon gobbled up and India retreated to 190 points. Vishwanath played excellent innings and was not dropped. Tony Cozier, the West Indies correspondent, opined that this 97 Not out lasted for over a century, as Vishy had proven he was master of it all on that sunny day on the Chepauk. It was a lesson in batting and speed bowling that can never be forgotten.
India won the test, thanks to this entry from Vishy. Pataudi managed spinners Prasanna and Bedi admirably and West India lost the test by 100 runs. But those Vishwanath entries have to rank as one of the greatest entries of all time. Let’s take our hats off to one of the greats of Indian cricket.
