Gundappa Viswanath

1. 🌟 In 1967, Gundappa Viswanath stunned cricket by scoring a double century on his first-class debut against Andhra Pradesh, a record that still stands unique in Indian cricket history. 2. His Test debut in 1969 at Kanpur against Australia was remarkable as he scored a century in the second innings after being dismissed for a duck in the first, joining a rare group of batsmen with such a contrasting start. 3. Viswanath's signature square cut shot was so precise and elegant that it became his trademark, often dismantling fast bowling attacks like those of Australia and the West Indies during the 1970s. 4. 🏏 In the 1974-75 series against the West Indies, his unbeaten 97 at Madras was ranked by Wisden as the 38th best innings of all time and the second best non-century innings, rescuing India from collapse and leading to a rare victory over a fearsome pace attack. 5. His 112 runs at Port of Spain in 1975-76 helped India chase down 403 runs, the highest successful run chase in Test cricket at that time, marking a historic moment in Indian cricket. 6. 🧤 As a fielder, Viswanath was renowned for his safe hands at slip, complementing his wristy batting style and making him a valuable all-round team member throughout his 91 Test appearances. 7. In 1979-80, Viswanath briefly captained India in two Test matches, including the Golden Jubilee Test against England where he famously called back English batsman Bob Taylor, prioritizing sportsmanship over competitive advantage. 8. ❓ How did Viswanath's small stature of 5 ft 3 in shape his unique wristy batting style that relied more on timing and placement than power, challenging traditional cricketing norms?