Half a century later, the century that never came

GRV recalls his famous 97 at Madras that gave India a 100-run win over the West Indies
BENGALURU: Of the 6,080 runs that came off his blade, GR Vishwanath's unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in Chennai (then Madras) on Jan 11, 1975, overshadows all else -- over his 14 centuries, and even his highest score, the 222 against England at the same venue in 1982.

Such is the enduring impact of that innings that GRV, in his autobiography 'Wrist Assured', writes, "Every time I go to Chennai, all I hear about is the 97 not out. Sometimes I feel that is the only worthwhile innings that I have played."

That innings, spread over 228 testing minutes, is testimony to GRV's greatness, an essay of immense grit. Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of that famous 100-run victory over Clive Llyod's ferocious XI.

Back in the day, Madras traditionally hosted a match in the second week of January, popularly labelled the Pongal Test. On Tuesday, those who played that match, along with cricketers from other generations came together to celebrate the landmark innings. The gathering was hosted by Vishwanath's family and on the main course was nostalgia. Those who joined were GRV's 1975 team-mates, BS Chandrasekhar, EAS Prasanna and former Karnataka team-mates Roger Binny and Brijesh Patel. VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble completed the glittering line-up.

With his inimitable straight-faced humour, GRV regaled the audience with tales from the match, the era of facing ferocious pacers without the security of a helmet and the camaraderie in the Indian dressing room of a bygone era.

It is folklore how the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, whose eyesight was failing, decided to lead the team. His confidence stemmed from GRV's prowess with the willow and the ability of his spinners. GRV spoke on the contribution of India's spin trio - Bishan Singh Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrasekhar, Pataudi's acumen as captain, and the crucial 80 by Anshuman Gaekwad in the second essay.

Opting to bat, India were in no time reduced to 76/6 with pace merchant Andy Roberts breathing fire. "By the time I realized what was happening, I saw Karsan Ghavri (No. 8) at the crease," said GRV, "I asked him, 'What's happening here?' He said most of them were back in the dressing room. I looked up at the scoreboard and saw the score was 76. I thought, 'Okay, it's time to play some shots.' I had already played a few and felt good. I decided to go ahead. It so happened that whatever I played, worked. I thought to myself, 'It looks like my day. So, I don't want to stop now.' In between two wickets fell."

At 169/9, the last men standing were GRV and Chandrasekar. For 38 minutes, the spinner had survived the pace onslaught of Roberts, Bernard Julien, Keith Boyce and Vanburn Holder and scored one run.

On 96, GRV cut Roberts towards the boundary.

"I thought the timing of my cut shot was brilliant. Boyce was in the third-man region, and I told myself, 'No chance will Boyce or his father stop the ball.' I was heading towards Chandra to thank him for his support when I saw the panicked look on his face and ball in Boyce's hand," remembered GRV.

Chandra was left to face Roberts. He recalled the moments, "Vishy walked up to me and told me that Roberts would bowl a bouncer. I was preparing for it when Roberts, on his way to his run-up mark, looked back and glared at me. That simply unnerved me."

GRV retorted good-naturedly, "Who asked him to look at the bowler?"

"When Roberts started his run-up, I moved towards the forward short leg and tapped the leg-cutter which curled away. Lloyd took the catch at first slip and that was the end of it," said Chandrasekar.

India were bowled out for 190, but history still awaited Pataudi's men. GRV hit a patient 46 in India's second innings, Prasanna took 9-111 in the match and Bedi claimed six wickets for a famous win.

"I've scored 100s with many strokes. All those strokes came in one inning," remembered a modest Indian hero, half a century later.