His 75 not out towards England at Kanpur in 1973 will not be usually remembered however Gundappa Viswanath charges it excessive. India had conceded a lead of 40 on the primary innings and was struggling at 39 for 4 – Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar, Ajjit Wadekar and Farokh Engineer again within the pavilion. It was the ultimate day however Viswanath had to attract on his resilience and batting expertise to make sure there have been no alarms. The identical venue had seen Viswanath make a sensational debut towards Australia in 1969 – a knock of 137 laced with 25 fours. That innings may be very near his coronary heart since he was out for a zero within the first innings.
Viswanath is a uncommon gem in Indian cricket. Just can’t fault him on and off the sphere. When he hit a century Indian didn’t lose. His centuries have been priceless and constructed on tough pitches. In truth, it was Vishwath’s speciality. To rating when the remainder failed. To rating when the floor and the opposition made batting a nightmare. He was not the one to exit and ponder over the potential methods the pitch would behave. He studied the bowlers within the center and performed them to his self-belief. The sooner they bowled the calmer he appeared. The vicious spin was handled an incredible means to `homicide’ the road and size, and naturally the flip. “My hero,” claims Kapil Dev.
Gundappa Viswanath to speak about his batting was robust. “Impossible” stated Sunil Gavaskar, who additionally was not recognized to debate his personal batting, simply as Kapil Dev. It was a poolside dinner hosted by an Indian fan in Nairobi in 2000. I went as a result of we have been advised ex-film star Mumtaz can be attending. “So, you have come to see Mumtaz,” Viswanath smiled. “No Sir, I have come to pick your brains,” I mumbled. And then, for the following three hours, it was an insightful journey into the world of batting. Little of it was about his personal expertise. I too didn’t relent. The secret of his mastery over the sq. minimize? “Wrists,” he prolonged his hand. I felt the wrists. They have been steely. “People talk about my square cut. What about my square drive? No one talked about my ondrive.” Young cricketers over the past thirty years or so have come to expertise Viswanath’s humility. Here is an anecdote.
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A day after the Mohali Test towards Australia in 2013, the place Shikhar Dhawan produced a scintillating 187 on debut, I acquired a name from Viswanath. “Can you please give me Shikhar’s mobile number. I want to congratulate him for his fabulous debut.” I referred to as Shikhar whose preliminary response was “Don’t give him my number.” I used to be shocked. “Give me his number please. I will call him. It will be a sin to wait for Vishy sir to call me.” I advised Shikhar to textual content me as soon as he spoke to Viswanath.
Meanwhile Viswanath referred to as once more. I advised him I used to be driving and would quickly share Shikhar’s quantity. By the time I reached residence, Shikhar texted me “baat ho gayi.” I texted his quantity to Viswanath, who promptly referred to as me. “I know your driving. Too slow,” he was laughing on the different finish as he realized I had shared his quantity with Shikhar.
Viswanath is well mannered to a fault and an epitome of humility. Knowing him has been an enormous privilege. Today, as he celebrates his unbeaten 75 in life, allow us to take part wishing him a wholesome future.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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