It was October of 1974, when Raj Singh Dungarpur (national selector) asked Tiger Pataudi to lead India against the West Indies. I was standing next to my uncle and I will never forget his words, “Raj, I can’t see very well. I will be useless as a batsman, but as long as I have Vishy I know I will have enough runs to win a few.” Such was the captain’s belief in his No. 4. GR Vishwanath won two Test matches for India in Kolkata and Chennai, back to back, levelling the series. Ian Botham once had the Ashes named after him (in 1981). We should have named that 1974-75 series after Vishy. We didn’t. Further, we never celebrated him as we should have. Let’s do so now. Let’s celebrate Vishy, a God of cricket most loved, least worshipped.  

Disastrous start

The first two Tests of the 1974-75 series (in Bangalore and New Delhi) against the West Indies were a disaster. The third Test was in Kolkata, played over New Year. India had to win to keep the series alive. Sunil Gavaskar was injured. Our batting was dithering. India batted first in Chennai and from the very beginning it was clear — Andy Roberts & Co were too quick for us. But there was hope. Hope in one man. Vishy.