When Venkatraghavan was discovered

It took almost a decade for the second team from New Zealand to make an appearance in this country. On their way to England for the first half of the tour in 1965, the visitors stopped by to play a series of four Tests. But with each of the matches restricted to four days, chances of a result were pretty remote especially on Indian wickets. However a dream performance by 'new boy' S.Venkatraghavan ensured that India won the final Test at New Delhi and with it the series.

The team, led by John Reid, then in his last year of international cricket, was a bit stronger than the previous side led by Harry Cave. The batting was as strong but the bowling was stronger. Besides the captain, Bert Sutcliffe was also around, again like Reid on his last international series. But New Zealand also had fine batsmen in Dowling and Congdon. The bowling in the hands of Motz, Collinge, Yuile and Pollard was certainly more balanced than the New Zealand attack of 1955-56. And then on the tour, the immense talent of BR Taylor was unearthed, giving the batting and bowling an additional edge.

But the Indians at home have always been a formidable outfit. And by the mid sixties, under the dynamic leadership of MAK Pataudi, they had achieved results, notably a memorable two wicket victory over Australia at Bombay which enabled them to draw level in the three match series held a few months before the New Zealanders arrived. The batting was strong, what with Jaisimha, Sardesai, Pataudi, Hanumant, Borde, Engineer, Manjrekar, Durrani and Surti in the line up. And the bowling looked capable enough with Surti, Durrani, Nadkarni and Chandrasekhar in the ranks.

The first Test at Madras ended in a dull draw, but there were two notable events. The first was the eighth wicket partnership of 143 runs between Nadkarni and Engineer which was an Indian record for all Tests. The second was an unbeaten 102 by Manjrekar in what was his final Test innings.

The second Test at Calcutta also ended in a draw but the proceedings were certainly more interesting. Taylor made it memorable by becoming the first player in Test history to score a century and take five wickets in an innings on debut. Sutcliffe scored 151 not out and added a record 163 runs for the seventh wicket with Taylor. For India, Pataudi scored an unforgettable 153. With New Zealand losing wickets quickly in the second innings, there was some excitement on the final day.

There was much more excitement in the third Test at Bombay. Dowling made a hundred as New Zealand made 297 in their first innings. Desai had his best Test haul of six for 56. Then the New Zealanders seamers got to work and bundled out India for 88 runs with Taylor again taking five wickets. As India commenced their second innings, it was still only late into the second day and they faced the stark reality of perhaps an innings defeat. No one however could have bargained for what followed. Sardesai got an unbeaten 200, Borde got a hundred, Hanumant Singh chipped in with an unbeaten 75 and India were able to declare their second innings closed midway through the fourth afternoon at 463 for five. New Zealand were left with about 2-1/2 hours to get 255 for victory. But by now the hunter had become the hunted and New Zealand struggled to avoid defeat. In an amazing turnabout, they were 45 for 7 before ending at 80 for eight with the ususual spectacle of the Indian spinners bowling with all eleven fieldsmen circling the belegeaured batsmen.

India finally clinched the series at New Delhi. Venkatraghavan, who had made his debut in the first Test, by this time had improved by leaps and bounds. He took eight for 72 to bowl out New Zealand for 262 on the second morning. The Indians now needed to score quickly and Sardesai and Pataudi rose to the occasion with centuries while Borde (82) and Hanumant Singh (87) chipped in with hectic knocks. Pataudi was able to declare at 465 for eight late on the third evening. New Zealand fought hard to save defeat but Venkatraghavan and Chandrasekhar, each with four wickets bowled out the visitors for 272 on the fourth evening. India had to get 70 for victory in about an hour and they got the runs, amidst much excitment, in the penultimate over. Venkatraghavan, with match figures of 12 for 152, was very much the star of the victory and it was obvious that a high calibre off spinner had been discovered.