00:00In the summer of 1979, amidst the green surrounding of Edgbaston, Birmingham, the artistry of
00:06Gandapa Vishwanath once again graced the test arena, facing a towering English total of 633
00:13for five declared. India's reply demanded both resilience and flair. At the crease trod Vishwanath,
00:20compact in build, yet towering in stretcher, when it came to style. He compiled a fluent 78 runs
00:27from 181 balls, occupying the crease for 213 minutes and decorating his innings with nine
00:34masterfully struck boundaries. Each stroke bore his unmistakable signature. Risty elegance,
00:40nimble footwork and timing so pure, it seemed to caress the ball rather than strike it. In an era
00:47when runs were hard-earned against the relentless discipline of English bowling, this knock was a
00:53gem of composure and grace. More than just the runs, that innings carried a greater weight of history.
00:59With it, Vishwanath crossed the landmark of 4,000 test runs, a feat few had achieved in those days.
01:05It was a moment that reflected not just his consistency but his ability to blend artistry
01:11with substance at the very highest level.
01:26Vishwanath to bring up the 100 for India.
01:32Quite pleasing, quite pleasant progress here by these two fine players.
01:37Vishwanath to take it on to 101 for two, with Vishwanath now on 21 and De Vasco on 42.
01:52It's all over now. It's a glorious shot from little Vishwanath.
01:57Both of them has only built two half volleys in this spell and they've both been put away with
02:01consummities. Great shot there from little Vishwanath. Goes on now to 26, the total to
02:06115 for two with Govaskar on 51.
02:18Nice strike. Randall doing the chasing.
02:32Vishwanath goes to 29, 51 to Govaskar.
02:44Right, so full pitch, he's found the gap all right this time. Very comfortably,
02:49goes really through extra cover and it's four more to Vishwanath and he moves into the 40s.
02:55Vishwanath now facing both of them.
03:08Slice that away, wide of the second slip.
03:10And it's four more, and it's four more. It's a sportful place of play there by little Vishwanath.
03:16Angle of that away, and put it exactly where he wanted it.
03:21Goes on now to 44, the score on to one, 55 for three.
03:24That's a big girl, this is 50, and a good one too.
03:37Vishwanath will be looking here for three runs.
03:43A good piece of cricket, a very well deserved 50 of that.
03:46It's a little Vishwanath.
03:52Getting close now to 4,000 runs in too much cricket.
03:56He did 100 when he took guard here today.
03:58Good shot again by Vishwanath, got into position nicely.
04:10Turned it away, Edmunds.
04:11He's got a long chase and there's nothing he can do about it.
04:13Well, it must go down as a chance.
04:30I had the impression Brearley was moving the wrong way, the way to his right.
04:35Phil Edmunds now beginning his 22nd over.
04:48And that's out.
04:48Yes, putting it out, Vishwanath goes and caught the outside edge.
04:53Botham snaps it up very quickly with the right hand.
04:57So the end of a fine end is there from Vishwanath.
05:00Score now, 205 for three with Vishwanath.
05:03For the spectators, watching Vishwanath bat was not merely a passage of play.
05:20It was an exhibition of cricket's finer virtues.
05:23His strokes were not about brute force, but about rhythm, balance and the rare gift of making batting
05:30look effortless.
05:31Bumingham that day was treated to be a masterclass of style from one of India's most beloved craftsmen.
05:38Vishwanath innings at Bumingham may not have altered the course of the match,
05:42but it stood as a reminder of cricket's more delicate artistry in an age increasingly dominated by power.
05:50His presence at the crease offered India a sense of dignity amid Singland's dominance,
05:56and not for the purest.
05:57It reaffirmed that the game was as much about grace and touch as it was about runs on the board.
06:04It was the kind of performance that quietly strengthened his place among the connoisseur's favorite.
06:10A best man admired not for sheer weight of numbers, but for the rare beauty he brought to the sport.
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