Vishy 'delighted' and honoured with his mural in Chennai

The mural honouring Gundappa Viswanath at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Pic/Guruvayurappan Krishnan

Several accolades came former India captain Gundappa Viswanath's way during his 13-year Test career. And he continues to receive them for his stylish batting, crisp strokeplay and of course for his unassuming ways.

The people in charge at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai have honoured Viswanath with a mural in the press conference room, depicting a shot he played during his epic, unbeaten 97 out of a total of 190 against the West Indies in 1974-75. India's victory in that Test made the series scoreline 2-2. The West Indies won the opening Tests at Bangalore and New Delhi. Viswanath scored 52 and 139 in the Kolkata Test. Unfortunately for the hosts, they lost the decider at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

"I'm delighted to learn about the mural in my honour. I remember that particular stroke - a tap to fine leg off Andy Roberts," Viswanath told mid-day from Bangalore. Chennai witnessed another match-winning innings from his blade - 124 against Alvin Kallicharran's West Indians in 1978-79, a series which India clinched through that three-wicket triumph on a fast pitch. His final three-figure innings at Chennai was made against England in 1981-82 - 222, his highest Test score.

Also Read: Gundappa Viswanath, a jewel of the world: Sunil Gavaskar

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