Gundappa Viswanath

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Gundappa Viswanath India (Ind)
Batting style	Right-hand bat
Bowling type	Legbreak
	Tests	ODIs
Matches	91	25
Runs scored	6080	439
Batting average	41.93	19.95
100s/50s	14/35	-/2
Top score	222	75
Balls bowled	70	-
Wickets	1	-
Bowling average	46.00	-
5 wickets in innings	-	-
10 wickets in match	-	N/A
Best bowling	1/11	-
Catches/stumpings	63/-	3/-
As of 4 February 2006 Source: Cricinfo.com

Gundappa R. Vishwanath pronunciation (help·info) (born 12 February 1949) is an Indian cricketer, commonly regarded as one of the four great Indian batsmen along with his brother-in-law Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. He played Tests for India from 1969/70–1982/83 and One-day internationals from 1974–1982. He made his Test debut at Kanpur in 1969, scoring a century on his debut, against Australians led by Bill Lawry.

Vishwanath's batting was epitomised by his wristy elegance and delicate timing, and he holds a peculiar record of never having scored a century in a losing cause. His unbeaten, matchwinning 97 against a rampaging Andy Roberts at Madras in 1974-75 is considered among the best knocks witnessed on Indian soil. 'Vishy' as he was known to his fans, was famous for being India's man in the time of crisis, while wickets tumbled around him. In particular against pace attacks from Australia, England and West Indies, hostile batting conditions used to bring the best in him. Short in stature and stocky this elegant player was during his peak years one of the most pleasing batsmen to watch in the world. Though he had a complete repertoire of shots around the wicket, Vishwanath's favorite was the square cut, a shot he often used to great effect against fast bowlers. He would rock back onto his left foot, give himself enough room and with a deft roll of his wrists, send the ball rocketing to the fence square of the wicket. During the 1975-76 marquee series against Clive Lloyd's West Indies, Vishwanath distinguished himself as the only Indian batsman able to handle the scorching pace of an Andy Roberts at his peak.The Windies pace line-up of Roberts, Holder, Boyce, Julian made mince-meat of the Indian batting during this 5-Test series. Vishwanath was at his peak in this series, scoring an invaluable hundred and two other near centuries.

He also played an important part during India's historic runchase against West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976-77 when he scored 112 to help India chase 400 + runs in the 4th innings. Vishwanath also had a brief stint as the Indian captain in 1979-80.

He retired from Tests with a batting average of 41.93, with his place in the pantheon of Indian greats all but assured, and went on to serve as a match referee for the ICC.