Gundappa Viswanath

The legendary Kapil Dev said he considered Gundappa Viswanath as his childhood idol and used to listen to radio commentary about the batting great's exploits even before witnessing him ply his trade with his own eyes.

Former India captain Gundappa Viswanath has asked the ICC not to undermine Test cricket and promote the 5-day game, which has been in vogue since 1877.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar made a combined India and Pakistan XI out of players that he would love to see play. He admitted that this may not be the best eleven players that may have represented the two sides statistically but these are players that he would like to see playing together.

Fifty years ago on this day, a mustachioed rookie walked out to make his Test debut for India against Australia in Kanpur. He didn't stay long. Enraged fans hurled 'matkas' at the batsman after he was dismissed for a duck.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar's father Manohar passed away in Bangalore, at the residence of his daughter, sources said.

Gundappa Viswanath has been one of the finest batsmen India has ever produced. He came to the limelight under the captaincy of EAS Prasanna for Karnataka and under Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi for India.

Former captain Gundappa Viswanath feels that Sourav Ganguly is ideal candidate to replace Duncan Fletcher as the coach of the Indian cricket team.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has lavished rich praise on Keegan Petersen, saying the South African batter reminded him of the legendary Gundappa Viswanath.

Virat Kohli is the sixth Indian batsman to register a hundred in his 50th Test, joining Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman and Kapil Dev.

The Mumbai Cricket Association has invited India's batting great Gundappa Viswanath as the chief guest at the inauguration of the special 'Madhav Mantri 100 years Centenary Tournament' on October 30.

Dilip Vengsarkar, who turned 64 on Monday, was India's batting mainstay during the mid 80s when he outscored the iconic Sunil Gavaskar as his upright stance and ability to play swing and spin with aplomb was a delight for Test aficionados.

Former India captains Bishan Singh Bedi, Gundappa Viswanath and Nari Contractor are yet to get an invite from the BCCI for country's historic 500th Test match against the visiting New Zealand side starting September 22 in Kanpur.

It has been more than three decades since the Medical College Ground last hosted a Ranji Trophy match. A star-studded Karnataka team which included the majestic Gundappa Viswanath, the versatile Roger Binny and the eccentric Syed Kirmani took the field against Kerala in that game in 1987.

After pulling off a huge Test series win vs Australia Down Under and registering a 3-1 win vs England at home the Indian team is one win away from winning the inaugural World Test Championship. India will take on New Zealand in the WTC final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on June 18.

Premier speedster Jasprit Bumrah and batswoman Smriti Mandhana are the two Indian names among the five winners of the prestigious Wisden India Almanack Cricketer of the Year award which was announced on Friday.

Former India Test captain Gundappa Viswanath was on Saturday felicitated by Pailan World School Residential Cricket Academy where he has been appointed as an advisor.

It is one of cricket's greatest paradoxes that some of its shortest cricketers have been - speaking metaphorically - its tallest legends.

Writer John Woodcock paid rich tributes to Sachin for his hunger to score runs and said comparing him to Don Bradman did not diminish the legendary Aussie.