The multi-faceted Venkataraghavan moves to 80

The multi-faceted Venkataraghavan moves to 80

In the annals of Indian cricketing history, S. Venkataraghavan has a unique spot. Besides being a great off-spinner and a member of the famous spin quartet headlined by Bishan Singh Bedi, Venkataraghavan has captained India, was a sharp fielder, emerged as a sports administrator and was equally famous for his international umpiring stint.

The man from Madras, as Chennai was known when he was born on April 21, 1945, turns 80 on Monday. It has been a riveting journey and like the long walks he used to take in his prime, Venkataraghavan has traversed quite a distance. From 1965, when he turned up for India for the first time to 2004, when he retired as an international umpire, he maintained a four-decade long association with the willow game.

He holds the unique record of having played 57 Tests and then seamlessly made a career-switch and also umpired in 73 Tests. At Lord’s, the home of cricket, he has played, led India and then stepped on that hallowed turf as an umpire too.

His 156 wickets in Tests and 1390 scalps in first-class cricket, reflect his excellence. E.A.S. Prasanna may have been more flamboyant in the craft but Venkataraghavan focussed on his skills with single-minded devotion and hoodwinked batters. Later as an umpire, while standing at square-leg, he would have a strong but discreet word with an errant spinner. He truly worshipped the craft of spin bowling.

Often shuttling between Chennai and the United States, he remains clued into a sport which he dearly loves. Seen at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium during last month’s (March 7) private felicitation event for his former India team-mate Farokh Engineer, Venkataraghavan was all warmth and the measured word.

Monday marks another milestone for the man, who donned many hats in the cricketing universe.