Top ten Karnataka cricketers to have played for India - Part 1

2. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar

B S Chandrasekhar bowling, Tony Greig backing up and BS Bedi in background, India v England, 3rd Test, Madras, Jan 1976-77

B.S. Chandrasekhar was one of the important cogs in the famed Indian spin quartet of Bishen Bedi, E.A.S. Prasanna and S.Venkataraghavan, which dominated world cricket in the 60s and 70s. And without sounding prejudiced, it is widely accepted that on his day, Chandrasekhar was the most devastating.

A story of immense resolve, ‘Chandra’, as he was called by team-mates, was struck with polio as a child and his right hand was badly severed. With a situation that would leave most people looking at other prospects in life, Chandrasekhar was an exception. He went on to represent his country in 58 Test matches, and captured 242 wickets at an average of 29.74.

There were reports that he started playing cricket bowling in various styles, including medium pace. It may not be a coincidence, then, the concoction that he served up to the batsmen – which was a mixture of sharp googlies, leg breaks and top spinners at high speeds generally not expected from spinners.

Wisden awarded him with the ‘Best bowling performance of the century’ award in 2002, for his six wickets for 38 runs against England at the Oval in 1971, a performance that helped India win their first series in England.

Chandrashekar was also devastating in Australia in 1977-78, taking 12 for 104 at Melbourne. He picked 42 wickets in 5 Test matches abroad, making him one of India’s best bowlers in conditions outside India.

He was a tremendous bowler, with tremendous respect for him all over Karnataka and the entire cricketing world. You ask the West Indians, Australians or the English – they will tell you the story of ‘Chandra’.