Name Hindi: गुंडप्पा विश्वनाथ / Gender Man
Gundappa Viswanath: A Titan of Indian Cricket
Gundappa Ranganath Viswanath is a legendary figure in the landscape of Indian cricket, who is best known for his exceptional batting style and sportsmanship spirit. He was born on February 12, 1949, in Bhadravati, Karnataka, India.
Early Life & Career Beginnings
Growing up in a modest family, Viswanath’s passion for cricket sparked from an early age. He honed his skills at local cricket clubs before making significant strides onto larger platforms. His first taste of success came when he was selected to play for the state of Mysore (now Karnataka) in the domestic Ranji Trophy tournament.
Rise to National Acclaim
Viswanath made his international debut against Australia in November 1969; he scored a remarkable century (137 runs). This exceptional performance marked him as one of the rising stars in world cricket – all this while still being a young budding cricketer. Over his decade-long career, he played 91 test matches and amassed over 6,000 runs with an impressive average score that placed him amongst the top batsmen of his era.
Contribution to International Cricket Council (ICC)
The Little Master, as he was fondly called due to his small stature and even-footed textbook technique, provided eminent services not only to Indian cricket but also contributed significantly to others through various roles in ICC.
- In addition to being highly respected internationally by peers and opponents alike carring impeccable reputation which eventually led him to become an International Cricket Council (ICC) referee in 1999 after his retirement.
- Viswanath’s sportsmanship spirit, for which he was widely admired, also holds a significant place in cricket history. This is highlighted by an incident where as the Indian team captain, he called back England batsman Bob Taylor when unfairly given out.
Awards & Honorifics
Viswanath was awarded several distinguished awards and honours throughout his cricketing career.
- In recognition of his services to Indian Cricket, Viswanath received one of India’s highest sporting awards, the Arjuna Award in 1975-76
- The Government of India bestowed upon him the second-highest civilian award of Padma Shri in 2009 for his remarkable contributions to the field of Sports: Cricket especially.
While his career may have ended decades ago, the legacy left behind by Gundappa Viswanath continues to inspire and serve as a benchmark for upcoming cricketers not only in India but across the world. His technical prowess on the field combined with his prolificacy and gentlemanly conduct off the pitch has forever etched his name into the annals of international cricket.
Thus commemorates the legendary journey of Gundappa Viswanath – an inspiration, not just as a cricketer but as a mentor, leader . He remains one of India’s most loved cricketing heroes whose immense charisma still reminisces within fans’ hearts today.
