Debut Test ton was my best: Gundappa

MUMBAI: All the 14 centuries he had scored for India were either match-winning or match-saving, but former captain Gundappa Viswanath reckons his second innings knock of 137 on Test debut at Kanpur in 1969-70 against Bill Lawry's Australia as his best.
"It was my first Test and I had been dismissed for zero in the first. While returning to the pavilion, I thought of the stories of chai (tea) and matka (pot) thrown at cricketers at Green Park, but I was treated like a hero after the second innings," he recalled at the Castrol awards function.
Viswanath, renowned for his gutsy display against the world's fastest bowlers on the fiercest wickets despite his short stature, received the Lifetime Achievement award worth Rs 5 lakh and a trophy at the gathering last evening.
Vishy was apprehensive he may not get to play for India after the first innings duck. He not only scored a century in the second but also became the first batsman from India to add to his Test centuries tally after a debut Test ton.
"After not opening my account in the first innings, I thought of not getting a second innings and whether I would get to play for India again," he recalled.
"But as it happened, I got a second chance and it turned to be a very good wicket, the ball did not spin till the fifth day and I could play my natural innings," said the erstwhile middle order virtuoso whose centuries have either aided the team to win or earn a draw in Tests.
The 60-year-old Vishy, known for his sportsmanship and calm demeanour, said that the then Indian skipper Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi did not want to declare the innings as he desired he get past 150 because of the debut ton jinx.
"(Captain Mansur Ali Khan) Pataudi said he was not going to declare and that I should try and get 150 because no previous Indian batsman had scored a second century after making a century on debut," said the Bangalore-based former cricketer and chief selector.
He gave credit to Pataudi, considered among the shrewdest of captains the country ever had, for giving him tips to strengthen his wrists after his glorious ton on debut.
"After the 137, Pataudi told me that I was hitting well, but the ball was not racing to the fence and I should lift dumb bells to strengthen my wrist. I lifted bucketfuls of water at home," he said.
Vishy, who scored 6,080 runs in 91 Tests with 14 centuries to boot, said he was pleased that he could contribute to the team's cause whenever it needed him.
"I think I have contributed to the team when needed the most," he said.
Among the current lot of Indian batsmen, Vishy said he enjoyed watching Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag play.
"Well, I enjoy the batting of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag and many others," he said.