My Favorite Innings, The Great Vishwanath 97 Not Out at the Chepauk, 1974 Against the West Indies

Cricket is a wonderful game and I have followed it for almost 4 decades plus. Over the years, I have watched umpteen test matches and witnessed some truly great innings. But the innings that created the most profound effect on me was the one played by Gundappa Vishwanath against the West Indies in 1974. India were captained by the Nawab of Pataudi and this was the 4th test of the series.

The West Indies had a fearsome pace attack led by Andy Roberts and Holding. It was a formidable team. Pataudi won the toss and elected to bat. Perhaps the game plan was to insure that the West Indies batted last, when the pitch was expected to help the indian spinners Prasanna and Bedi. But the game plan appeared to fail as the the West Indies pace bowlers put up a furious show.

The Indian openers were soon back and Vishy stepped in.Mark you all, that he batted without a helmet. In a moment he took command with some exiqusite shots.I remember one squre cut of Roberts that sped to the boundary like greased lightening. It was authoratative batting the like of which I have not seen. But wickets continued to tumble at the other end and India soon had a pathetic score of 118 for 8. The Sikh Bishen Singh Bedi stepped in and he held one end up as Vishy cut and pulled the fast bowlers with magical ease.

The pace bowlers now resorted to short ptched stuff, but Vishy held his nerve and played some glorious shots.I remember one hook shot of Roberts that left the fielders standing as Vishy neared his hundred. But the tail enders were soon gobbled up and India folded at 190 all out. Vishwanath played a sterling innings and was 97 not out. Tony cozier the West Indian correspondent opined that this 97 Not out was greater than a century as Vishy had proved that he was master of all and sundry on that sunny day at the Chepauk. It was a lesson in batting and facing up to fast bowling that can never be forgotton.

India won the test, thanks to this innings of Vishy. Pataudi marshalled the spinners Prasanna and Bedi admirably and the West India lost the test by a 100 runs. But that innings of Vishwanath must rank as one of the all time great innings. Let us doff our hats to one of the greats of Indian cricket.

My Favorite Innings, The Great Vishwanath 97 Not Out at the Chepauk, 1974 Against the West Indies

india vs england
#Favorite #Innings #Great #Vishwanath #Chepauk #West #Indies