In the annals of Indian cricket, few names shine as brightly as Gundappa Viswanath. Born on February 12, 1949, in Mysore, this elegant right-hander burst onto the international scene with a debut Test century that set the tone for a remarkable career. His story is one of grace, timing, and unyielding success—every time he notched a hundred, India stood unbeaten.
Viswanath’s journey began in domestic cricket, where he announced himself with a double century for Mysore against Andhra in the 1967-68 season. That knock propelled him into the national squad. His Test debut came in November 1969 against Australia in Kanpur. After a duck in the first innings, he responded with a masterful 137 in the second, steering India to a draw and etching his name in history.
What set Viswanath apart was his philosophy: he never practiced in the nets before a match, preferring to conserve energy for the battle ahead. Over 91 Tests, he amassed 6,080 runs at an average of 41.93, including 14 centuries. Remarkably, in all those ton-making games, India either won or drew—four victories and ten stalemates.
He was the first Indian to score Test hundreds against every opponent of his era. His ODI career, though shorter with 25 matches and 439 runs at 19.95, added another dimension. Retiring from Tests in 1983 and ODIs in 1982, Viswanath transitioned seamlessly into administration, serving as ICC match referee, Karnataka selector, and national chairman. The Arjuna Award in 1977 crowned his contributions.
Today, as cricket evolves, Viswanath’s legacy reminds us of an era when technique trumped power, and every innings was a poem on grass.