cricket players ( read aussies ) have lot to learn from this gentleman cricketer who called a batsman back when he was not out and umpires declared him out.No doubt it cost the match for India but Vishwanath sir maintained the dignity of the game and showed that he is a player with true spirit..
He used to walk when he knew that he had knicked the ball. Never used to wait for the umpire's decision.
symonds, pontings, clarkes, murali karthiks and other players have to learn the 'sportsman spirit' from Vishy sir!!
I still remember the majestic inings of 54 in his very 2nd test during Australia visit in 1969 after 1st test appearence in Kanpur at green Eden garden ,Kolkata .I thought what a player whose shots goes like a rocket with just twisting of wrist .I saw him a great player in future and he kept my dream as a finest player in Indian cricket history and a finest jentleman cricketer ever
I still remember the majestic inings of 54 in his very 2nd test during Australia visit in 1969 after 1st test appearence in Kanpur at green Eden garden ,Kolkata .I thought what a player whose shots goes like a rocket with just twisting of wrist .I saw him a great player in future and he kept my dream as a finest player in Indian cricket history and a finest jentleman cricketer ever
I appreciate your sentiments on Visvanath but your facts are wrong. 1969, Green Park against Australia was Vishy's debut. His scores in that match were 0 and 139. Till this date, Vishy is the only batsman in the world to have scored a duck and a century on debut. Talk of Vishy and talk of class, players of the same era, same family who scored 4000 runs more than Vishy cannot hold a candle to Vishy in terms of touch play, delighting the spectator, selfless play for the team and not chasing records and last but not the least - Vishy scored in crises and pulled the team out of trouble, he led to the team to victories, he scored when the conditions were tough - seaming wickets, bouncy tracks, rain affected wickets - 1980 New Zealand tour when he scored on seamy wickets, 1978 against WI in Chennai on a granite of a wicket when Vishy hit 124 and 31, 1976 against NZ in Chennai when he scored 87 after the city had been lashed by rains for the previous 72 hours and first day's play was washed out and India was reduced to 3 for 2 at start, with Gavaskar and Gaekwad dismissed in the early overs - Vishy was in a class of his own. Except Viv Richards, no batsman had given me greater viewing pleasure than the one and the only Vishy. Great guy, gentleman, long live Vishy.
Re: Gundappa Vishy
by RAVINDRA SITARAM on Feb 12, 2009 04:56 PM Permalink
True, in his first test at Kanpur, he scored zero in the first innings, and in the second innings he scored 137 or 139 with 25 solid boundaries. He was the best indian batsman on all counts.
Re: Re: Gundappa Vishy
by abboral boral on Feb 12, 2009 07:47 PM Permalink
I too appreciate your answer my Dear Parthasarathy but I talked about only 54 runs Vishy scored in Eden garden ,Kolkata and I did not mentioned about Kanpur test and how much he scored .I know the fact about Kanpur test .Kindly note that I only mentioned Green Eden garden but not green park .Any how since you have mentioned about Vishy which is enough for me to accept your views .Never mind go ahead and sing for Vishy happy birthday
.... All the time when Vishwanath was batting - on the radio!" Anoopam Gulati, Suresh Saraya, the commentators sometimes joined by Tony Cozier used to sing reams of praise on Vishy the Little Master while he was at the crease! More often that not (naught) Vishy used to come in to bat at the score of below 20 for 2; and he would stay there and bat India out of trouble. No fast bowler of the day or any spinner could deny the Little Maestro of his runs ,each got in an impeccable manner!
Vishwanath was the true heart-beat for an entire generation of Indian Cricket Lovers. He was a connoisseur's delight for the opposing team - be it England, NZ, Pakistan or the Ozzies.
Re: Both my hands had fingers crossed ...
by Pradip Rabindranath on Feb 12, 2009 04:13 PM Permalink
One more point on Vishy ... right till his last few matches, Vishy had never failed in both the innings of a Test Match for some 80 odd Test matches. I think no one has ever broken this record.
Congrats Haresh . I was really moved by ur article.Excellent depiction of great Vishy.Apt words,Deep analysis ,perfect puctuation with incidents & the flow of language-ALL EXCELLENT LIKE VISHY'S SQUARE CUT. I HAVE SAVED THE ARTCLE WHICH IS WORTH PRESERVING. You have also exposed the Mediocracy of selectors prevailing then,besides the humility of the person. Vishy never complained or went to media about his non selection unlike present day cricketers nor begged selectors to pick him again.He stands Dignified even today like his batsmanship.Ihave heard sunny profusely praising Vishy.The best I saw was ,in blore when vishy square drove a ball which whistled past clive lloyd , who was a best fielder & nothing could pass him 15 meters either side,He couldnot believe & acknowledged the shot by clapping.I was moved then also.VISHY IS A LEGEND. MAY HE LIVE LONGER.LET PRESENT BOSSES UTILISE HIM FOR THE BENIFIT OF INDIAN CRICKET.WELL DONE HARESH.
Re: VISHY 60
by RAVINDRA SITARAM on Feb 12, 2009 05:00 PM Permalink
Vishy was a master craftsman in executing the late-cut, which to my knowledge is not played by any other batsman, with such perfection.
Re: Re: VISHY 60
by jwmarriot on Feb 12, 2009 05:20 PM Permalink
I have not seen anyone playing the late cut. He used to withdraw the bat from the line of the ball, and nick it between the wicket keeper and 1st slip. My most nostalgic moment is having travelled from Bangalore to Madras to watch the test match between WI..... and watch the greatest innings of all time, an unbeaten 97.
