VIJAYAN BALA LA
GR Viswanath was the original wristy artist in Indian cricket. The batting great who turns 69 on Monday was the first from India to score another century after making one on Test debut – 137 against Australia in Kanpur in 1969. But he won a legion of admirers for his batting feats during a 91-Test career.
After retirement he had served as chairman of the national selection committee, and it was his panel that selected Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid for the 1996 tour of England where both made a big mark. An avid golfer these days, Viswanath took a trip down memory lane in this interview in Bangalore.
confidence was restored and I got 113 in the next Test at Mumbai, becoming the first Indian to score a second century after making a century on Test debut. Test debut, and secondly I had got out for zero in the first innings. While I was waiting for my turn to bat in the second innings, Tiger told me to relax, saying not to worry and that I would do well when my chance to bat came. My captain’s words eased my tension and I went on to score 137 against a quality attack which had good pacemen and spinners. My innings ensured India did not lose. India win the Test and series – India’s first against England in England. That day, Chandrasekhar was at his magical best and the English batsmen were so mesmerised they just didn’t know how to play him. It was the third Test against West Indies at Port-of-spain in 1976. In our second innings, we were set 403 to win and we achieved the target scoring 406 for 4. It was the highest successful run chase, bettering Don Bradman’s Australian side’s 404 for 3 versus England in 1948. Initially, we played with the intention of saving the game. Only at tea did we feel we could win and batted accordingly with Brijesh Patel putting the finishing touches with an aggressive 49 not out. Before Patel’s fireworks, Sunny scored 102, I got 112 while Mohinder Amarnath made 85. There were very good partnerships too. It was definitely our 42 all out in the second innings of the Lord’s Test of 1974. That day the wicket was alright, only the conditions were typically English, gloomy and with heavy atmosphere. Chris Old and Geoff Arnold exploited that and bowled exceptionally well. They were very accurate too. We did not have an answer that day. Of those I played against, Andy Roberts was the best. He was a really quick bowler with great control and extraordinary variety. He used to bowl two bouncers – the second one was such that one never saw it till it hit you. I was quite thrilled to score a lot of runs against Roberts at
his fastest in the 1974-75 series. Graham Mckenzie, whom I played against in my debut series in 1969, was also a great fast bowler, deceptively quick and possessing great control over swing. Imran Khan and Richard Hadlee were also topclass fast bowlers. Denis Lillee was not at his fastest when I played him. So I have not really considered him. My best innings was 75 out of 190 against West Indies at Birmingham in the 1979 World
Cup. It gave me a lot of satisfaction as I scored against fast bowlers of the calibre of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner and Colin Croft.
Yes, the way I had to leave Test cricket. I did have a poor tour of Pakistan in 1982-83, but so did many others. Again, I was finding too much Test cricket a bit strenuous. I did want a short break from international cricket. Unfortunately, the break proved to be permanent.