One career over, `VB' concentrates on another

In the mid and late eighties, Krishnamachari Srikkanth was the undisputed entertainer par excellence in Indian cricket. That is, until Vakkadai Bikshewaran Chandrasekhar came along. Srikkanth's swashbuckling approach generally made his partner look pedestrian but `VB' was an exception. He was the only batsman who could match Srikkanth in daredevilry and on many occasions, even outscored him when the two opened the innings. `VB' had virtually retired a couple of years ago but announced it officially on Sunday, even as he started another career. For some years now, he has been running a well organised cricket academy in Chennai, but has now expanded it to a full fledged residential coaching complex. The guest of honour was Indian vice captain Rahul Dravid and his ready presence is testimony to the respect that `VB', now in his 40th year, commands among the present day stars. He also commands respect from the young players, many of whom will undoubtedly benefit from training at his well equipped facility.

`VB' had a fairly long first class career despite a late start during which he represented India in seven one day internationals. The figures - just 88 runs at 12.57 with just one half century - scarcely do justice to his talent and ability. But it must be said that he was badly treated by the tour management on the 1990 tour of New Zealand, his only trip with the Indian team. He was taken as one of three opening batsmen - Navjot Sidhu and Woorkeri Raman were the others - and when Sidhu was injured in the first Test, the logical conclusion should have been to play `VB' in the second Test, particularly since he already had scores of 92 and 71 made in his typically swashbuckling style in the two first class games before the first Test. Instead, Dilip Vengsarkar was flown in as a replacement for an opening batsman and Manoj Prabhakar was promoted to the opening slot. It was an outrageously inexplicable decision.

`VB' was understandably crestfallen. Perhaps a player with a stronger temperament would have taken such things in his stride and given the right answer to the tour management's faulty decision in the triangular one day series against Australia and New Zealand that followed the Test matches. `VB' however was mentally not quite there by this time. He failed in the first two matches, was dropped for the next, played at No 5 in the following game, when he again flopped and that was the end of his international career. While holding no brief for `VB's failures, it must be said that a cricketer with his buccaneering skills deserved better treatment.

After all that's the least one could have done for a batsman who, not long before, was capable of notching up the fastest hundred in terms of balls received by an Indian in first class cricket. I was fortunate to have been present at the MA Chidambaram stadium that October day in 1988 when playing for Ranji Trophy champions Tamil Nadu against Rest of India, `VB' hammered his way to his hundred off just 56 balls. His partner was Srikkanth but he was as much a spectator as those in the stands. In arrears by 206 runs on the first innings, Tamil Nadu required a forbidding 340 to win on a pitch that was assisting spinners. And the Rest attack included K Jeshwanth, Gopal Sharma and Narendra Hirwani, bowling on the same ground where only a few months before, he had taken his world record haul of 16 for 136 against West Indies. But `VB' hit eight sixes and eleven fours and his first wicket partnership off 154 runs off just 22.4 overs with Srikkanth set the stage for Tamil Nadu's remarkable three wicket victory.

The national selection committee was present to watch the match on the first three days. Unfortunately for them, `VB's pyrotechnics were unfolded on the final day. Fortunately however, one selector, former Indian wicketkeeper Naren Tamhane, had stayed back and was absolutely amazed by what he saw. He told reporters that he would recommend `VB's case "very strongly" to his colleagues and, sure enough, within a couple of months, `VB' was opening with Srikkanth in the ODI's against New Zealand. His failures could not have helped his cause any good when it came to selection for the tour of West Indies. But centuries in both the semifinal and final of the Duleep Trophy the following season saw him make the tour to New Zealand, where as I have related, he was a victim of scurvy treatment and then sadly was never considered again.

Which was a surprise for `VB' was a late developer. After concentrating on his engineering studies, VB made his Ranji Trophy debut only at the age of 25. But he was an instant success and played a leading role in Tamil Nadu's triumphant year in 1987-88 when he scored 551 runs. He also scored 572 runs in the 1991-92 season and captained Tamil Nadu for a few years before joining Goa as a professional, doing much to uplift the standard of the game in that fledgling state. His figures in the Ranji Trophy are impressive enough - 3971 runs at an average of 41.80 with a highest score of 237 not out for Goa against Kerala. But perhaps his greatest contribution to Indian cricket lies ahead with the establishment and now the expansion of his academy.