You were my idol during those days alongwith Sunny. When it came to crisis, it was Vishy who was supreme. Very rarely he failed during crisis. Also very rarely he scored in boring drawn mathes.
Re: GR the Great
by anand natarajan on Feb 13, 2009 01:19 PM Permalink
Vishy was a "SUN" when you compare him to media created stars of today. I remember with huge pride and nostalgia the occassion when GR last played official cricket in the Wills trophy finals for Karnataka Vs Presidents 11 @ Eden cardens in the 80s. For a innocuous domestic match, approx 55000 people came to watch it coz " last ek baar bishanather square cut dekhte chai"! as we bongs wud say. Thou he failed in the match, I still get goose pimples at the thot of 50k ppl giving a standing welcome to Vishy on way to bat. Born a Tambram.....raised as a bong in Kolkata....now living in Bangalore coz of official duties, I am proud to belong to Vishy's city. 60 years young Vishy Annavure!!! Shubhasyagalu!!
His Square cut was a thing of beauty, unmatched by anyone else.
I remember his recalling a English batsman (Wicket keeper Taylor?) in the test match he captained, when he knew the umpire's decision was wrong. The batsman went on to play a match winning partnership with Ian Botham, but the true Man-of-the-match was the Indian captain.
Just thought to pen a couple of lines to pay my own homage to this artist. I am from Bengal. In Bengal, for at least two generations, Vishy remains the penultimate artist cricket could ever have. Things changed a bit after Azahar and Ganguly BUT Vishy till today remains supremely etched to the core of every Bengalees of at least TWO generation (my dad as well mine). Those days, the favorite pass time used to be who was the greatest Vishy or Sunny and the answer was invariably in Vishy’s favor. No cricket loving Indians of that generation would ever forget the 138 in Eden and followed by 95 or something at Cheepak against the mightiest West Indians of Lloyds/Richards/Kalicharan/Roberts/Gibbs (arguably; the strongest team with an unbelievable skill ever visited India). There was a time when the then CM of Bengal [Siddhartha Ray] "jumped" the fence literally at Eden and "ran" to the pitch to hug Vishy on the field; there was a time when President of India [Fakruddin Ali Ahmed] “forgot” his “position” and end up asking for Vishy’s autograph on his presidential “Jawhar coat” . That was the magic of Vishy. There was a time when tons of budding cricketers like us tried their best to mimic the silky wristy square cut and spoilt their career opportunity for ever. There was a time when tons of budding poets in Bengal created rhymes with Vishy. Not to mention, the makers of Vishy’s favorite Sandesh & MistiDoi simply “re-branded%
This article brought back memories from my schoodays. Once Vishy got out, a pall of gloom would descend on viewers and listeners. The game would come down a notch or two. But when he batted, it was sublime artistry. The writer of Rediff's article has done complete justice to Vishy's game. Thanks.
I really don't want to start a fight,but most comments here probably come from people who are 45 . For anyone below 35, the greatest talent and the humblest human being will always be Sachin Tendulkar.
Vishy We love you. You were my greatest hero during my school days. Your Style class I am sure no one can match till date. You are a legend and my hero any day. Wish you very happy birthday. God bless you. Wish to see your son in the Indian team. Fans like me will get see the little master gene back! Well written article.
It is a superb article worth preserving. Most of the comments are also worth a read. I may also mention about some of his other knocks, though small, but played a critical part in low scoring games: 44 not out in his second test at New Delhi in 1969, 33 at Oval in 1971, 34 at Eden Gardens in 1972-73, 79 not out at Bangalore in 1976-77, 37 at Wankhede in 1981. Interestingly all the above came in the second innings. His twin knocks in Christchurch test in 1976, 113 at Lords in 1979 and useful partnerships with Gavaskar in 1971 helped India save the tests. His contribution to Indian victories are only matched by Dravid in terms of percentage of runs for the team. Three poor decisions in three successive tests in 1982-83 didn't help Vishy' cause coupled with the fact that he scored only 1331 runs in his last 48 innings after the 96 at Eden Gardens in 1979. In the later part of his career, he was unjustly seen as scoring to keep his place in the team while the fact was, in Vishy's own words in an interview in 1988, he usually scored in the odd innings. His knocks during this period of 48 innings, has in fact helped the team more than himself: 114 at Melbourne, 46 at Auckland, 37 at Mumbai, 107 at Delhi and the twin fifties at Oval. Though Vishy did find form from 1982-83, he was not picked as he did not score heavily when compared to others in domestic ciruit. But at critical times during this period, he was sorely missed. It is nice that a fitting tribute is paid to the maestro
Re: G R Viswanath
by Sriram Taranikanti on Feb 12, 2009 09:36 PM Permalink
'Though Vishy did find form from 1982-83' maybe read as 'Though Vishy did find form from 1983-84'
You were my hero growing up. Thanks for all the joy you had provided. I just wish I had all of your great innings recorded so I can watch over and over. The first time when I met you in Detroit, MI. was one of the highlites of my life. The humility you had shown to a young 20 yr old boy is what I try to practice every day in my life. My generations owes a lot to you. Happy birthday and may god give you a long and healthy life
Gundappa is as solid as a rock, and rocked the opponents by his brilliant batting, specially his square drives. The raised bar in Indian batting and I remember a great innings of 132 against all odds in one test match (I can't recall the opponents!)to salvage India's prestige. Happy Birthday and may Lord bless you, dear.
Those who grew up during Vishy's golden years will never forget this golden boy of cricket. Vishy never had a streak of meanness or politics in him. He genuinely liked everybody and his love for cricket was always more than himself or his opponents. He is a gentleman to the core. If cricket could be called a gentleman's game, then it is definitely due to people like him. Salutations to a real and true grand master.
