Aus vs Ind, 3rd Test, Melbourne 1981 - Ind 1st innings

The final game of this three-Test series was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, at the time notorious for its low-paced and variable wicket. Greg Chappell won the toss and inserted the Indians, hoping to break through their strong top order, however it also consigned the Australians to batting last. Lillee and Pascoe rattled through India's batting card, taking seven wickets between them, and the tourists were struggling at 7/164. However a brave and skilful knock from vice-captain Gundappa Viswanath (114), along with useful contributions from Kirmani and Ghavri, helped India to 237, a respectable score on a difficult pitch.

Match scorecard: http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63281.html

Yours in cricket,
The Third Ump

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Australia
• India
• Test cricket
• Melbourne
• MCG
• Gundappa Viswanath
• Greg Chappell
• Dennis Lillee
• Len Pascoe
• Karsan Ghavri
• Syed Kirmani

[sonofthedestroyer]

Gundappa in slang tamil means 'fat father' or 'chubby father'

[narasingarao912]

Grateful for this video. Never imagined I would get a chance to view Vishy in this match. Remember listening to Radio Australia - Alan Mcgilvry, Lindsay Hasset during this match. Struggling to express my gratitude - not possible in mere words. May I request the community for videos of dear Vishy - 97 - Madras - 1974-75........ both innings - christchurch NZ - 1976............both innings - Adelaide - 1978.

[seasonedsevencolors]

Legendary Gundappa Vishwath's moustache still contains the aura of his erstwhile magic. Truly legendary. Truly remarkable.

[sweetnothing1977]

What a shot by Patel off Lillee !

[caartists]

Viswanath's batting tops any other Indian batsman, even though Gavaskar scored more. Viswanath played for team and with elegance. He was also known for classy sportsmanship - as demonstrated at his dismissal here. Pakistani Cricketer magazine in 70 & 80's carried posters showing him in action all the time. He was very much liked by cricket fans.

[alexshaun98]

Vishy is the most stylish batsman I have seen. His centuries, almost always were match winning ones. Azhar comes a close second in the style ratings. Sunny Gavaskar was the one-man army in many tests during that period. Tendulkar's longevity and appetite for runs is amazing. However for the sheer value of the runs he has scored, Dravid gets my vote.

[anil8teen]

@atulkls

Dude Azhar doesnt even deserve a mention amidst these great batsman. He was a flat track bully who had great wrists....but noone come close to the technique of sachin, the precision the balance n more imp the economy of movement.

[atulks]

In my view, Vishwnath was the best batsman India has ever produced. He was a brilliant strokemaker better than Azharuddin and a beautiful 'bad-wicket' batsman, better than Gavaskar and Tendulkar. He played a gem of an innings 97 not out at Chepauk against West Indies and took India to victory. In a test whenever Vishy scored a century, India never lost a match.

[jaxpower1]

2-22 and richie didnt say anything :O :(

[briggs411]

vishi without doubt is my most favourite indian batsman