When Vishwanath and Vengasarkar pulled off a miracle at Lord's

Bengaluru: As India began the uphill task of saving the fourth Test, losing two wickets before even getting a run, few would have backed them to survive the six-plus sessions remaining in a match thoroughly dominated by England.

Yet, two former cricketers in different continents might have quietly believed India could pull off the improbable. Sunil Gavaskar (in England for commentary duties) and G R Vishwanath, connected through cricket and bound by family ties, had once done something similar 46 summers ago, though at different phases of the innings, on English soil but at the more storied Lord’s. 

Much like this fourth Test at Old Trafford, where India started their second innings staring at a 318-run deficit, the S Venkataraghavan-led team, back then, began the third innings of that match trailing by 323 after collapsing for 96 in their first innings. They too had eight sessions to bat out.

 “You never forget such moments, they live forever with you to cherish,” Vishwanath told DH, reflecting on Sunday’s drama in Manchester where Ravindra Jadeja (107 n.o.) and Washington Sundar (101 n.o.) batted with heart to salvage the match after KL Rahul (90) and skipper Shubman Gill (103) had laid the foundation. 

The 1979 Test had proceeded on similar lines. Gavaskar (54) and Chetan Chauhan (31) gave India a solid platform before Dilip Vengsarkar and Vishwanath wore down England’s bowlers with brilliant centuries. Their 208-run stand saw Vengsarkar score 103 off 295 deliveries, and Vishwanath craft 113 off 337. They occupied the crease for 353 and 351 minutes respectively, falling within three runs of each other. But by then, their job was done. India had faced 148 overs, five more than they did in Manchester, marking the first of three times they batted that long after conceding a 300-plus lead.

Ever humble, Vishwanath noted they were aided by some rain, unlike in Manchester. But, as he added, India still batted more overs that day, against Ian Botham and company.

“It was a great feeling though the play was interrupted by rain. Yesterday, which we drew, that was a terrific effort. Almost playing out two days… I know the feeling. It’s always a big task when you are playing the second innings. With a huge deficit, you are only trying to save the game. But it’s not that easy because you are not sure whether you want to play your natural game or you want to see the situation, all these things cross your mind.”

“You need a sort of extra concentration. Of course, that’s in the beginning, once you get going you have to play your natural game. And once you build the partnership, you always want to carry on with that because one wicket makes a lot of difference. And so, you don’t want to give away the initiative. That’s where the opponent will definitely come back. You need a different approach while saving the game. It was a tremendous effort.”

While Vishwanath and Vengsarkar were bona fide batting greats, the determination shown by Jadeja, whose batting has notably evolved, and Washington, long labeled a bowling all-rounder but now reasserting his batting prowess, was no less remarkable.

“I think it’s a huge task which India had,” Vishwanath said, shifting focus to the present-day heroes. “And they came out brilliantly. Everyone talks about the wicket becoming slower but not on the fourth and fifth day. Because even on a good track, you will have some wear and tear and those footmarks and left-arm bowling (Liam Dawson)… All these things count. It’s the effort of the batsmen, totally.”

“You get into the next Test with a lot of confidence. To draw from 0/2, credit should also go to Gill and Rahul. That’s the foundation which was needed.”

As the match drew nearer to a hard-fought draw, Vishwanath couldn’t help but recall the famous 1979 escape.

“You always get into that frame of mind,” he said. “Because you always go back to your innings. That situation and how I played, how the partnership which me and Dilip had. And then the team survived and all these things. So definitely, you feel that. We had a tremendous welcome (in the dressing room). When I went in, the whole team really appreciated that – ‘what a marvellous innings’ and all. The players and the managers… We never had the kind of support staff we have now but still, whatever we had, they all got behind us. So now you just imagine (what would have happened) when these two (Jadeja and Washington) got hundreds and got back. These are the moments you play for and cherish.”

Dilip Vengsarkar