Gundappa Viswanath: The Elegant Batsman of Indian Cricket

The Unrivaled Batsman of the 1970s

Gundappa Viswanath, affectionately known as "Vishy," is renowned for being one of India's finest batsmen of all time, dominating the cricket scene throughout the 1970s. With a distinctive elegant and wristy batting style, Viswanath's exceptional timing and mastery over the square cut shot earned him a legendary status in the cricketing world.

A Stellar Career

Viswanath's incredible career spanned from 1969 to 1983, during which he played 91 Test matches for India, scoring over 6,000 runs at an average of 41.93. He also represented India in One Day Internationals (ODIs) from 1974 to 1982, participating in the World Cups of 1975 and 1979. At the state level, he played for Karnataka (formerly Mysore) throughout his career.

Debut Double Century and Test Century

Viswanath holds the unique record of scoring a double century on first-class debut and a century on Test debut. He achieved this feat in 1967 against Andhra Pradesh in a first-class match and in 1969 against Australia at Kanpur in a Test match, respectively.

Test Match Highlights

• In his first 13 Test innings, Viswanath scored 13 centuries, none of which resulted in a defeat for India.
• He recorded a remarkable average of over 50 against the strong pace attacks of Australia and the West Indies.
• One of his most memorable innings was against the West Indies at Madras in 1974-75, where he scored 97 not out out of a total of 190 against a bowling attack featuring Andy Roberts.

Awards and Honors

In 2008, Viswanath received the prestigious C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a former player by the Indian cricket board.

Legacy

Gundappa Viswanath's exceptional batting skills, impressive career statistics, and numerous records have cemented his place as one of the all-time greats of Indian cricket. His elegant and wristy style, combined with his incredible timing and mastery over the square cut shot, continue to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike.