Madras 1977: When Vishwanath’s Century Inspired India’s Victory and Kalicharan Missed a Century by Two Runs
The 1977 Test match between India and the West Indies at the Chepauk Stadium in Madras (now Chennai) remains one of the most memorable encounters in the annals of Indian cricket. In a fiercely contested five-match series, India found themselves in a critical position, having lost the first Test. The second Test in Madras was a pivotal one, and it would be remembered not only for the brilliance of the legendary Indian batsman Gundappa Vishwanath but also for the near miss of West Indian captain Alvin Kalicharan, who was heartbreakingly stranded on 98. This Test match also featured contributions from two iconic figures of the game, Sunil Gavaskar and Kalicharan himself.
India was coming into the series with high expectations, having established themselves as a formidable side in the early 1970s with players like Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Gundappa Vishwanath emerging as global stars. The West Indies, on the other hand, were a team in transition. They were without Clive Lloyd, their usual captain, and Alvin Kalicharan was leading the team. Despite the absence of Lloyd, the West Indies still boasted a dangerous lineup, including the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, and Andy Roberts.
The first Test in Bangalore saw India go down to the visitors by an innings and 83 runs. India needed to bounce back quickly, and the Madras Test became the focal point of their efforts to level the series.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bat, sending in Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. India’s bowlers, led by Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Bishan Singh Bedi, bowled disciplined lines, keeping the West Indian batsmen in check. Kalicharan, coming in at number three, played a captain’s innings, holding the innings together as wickets fell around him.
Kalicharan’s technique and temperament were on full display as he methodically built his innings, showcasing his class against India’s spinners. However, as he approached his century, the pressure began to build. Kalicharan was on 98 when a moment of misfortune struck. Attempting to glance a ball from Chandrasekhar down the leg side, he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani. Kalicharan had fallen just two runs short of what would have been a magnificent century.
Despite Kalicharan’s dismissal, West Indies posted a respectable first-innings total of 228, with valuable contributions from the lower order. For India, Chandrasekhar was the star with the ball, taking 6 for 89 in a performance that would later prove crucial.
India’s reply started cautiously with Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan opening the innings. Gavaskar, as always, was a picture of concentration, playing the West Indian pace attack with poise. Chauhan, his long-time opening partner, provided steady support.
However, the true star of India’s innings was Gundappa Vishwanath. Coming in after the fall of Chauhan’s wicket, Vishwanath played with sublime elegance and grace, reminiscent of his finest performances. His wristy stroke play, especially through the off-side, was a treat for the spectators. His ability to maneuver the ball into gaps and his impeccable timing helped him dominate the West Indian bowlers.
Vishwanath’s century was a lesson in batting under pressure. He played the pace of Roberts and the spin of Albert Padmore with equal ease, blending aggression with caution. His 124-run knock was the backbone of India’s first-innings total of 255, giving India a slender but vital lead of 27 runs.
Gavaskar also contributed with a solid 48, while Vishwanath’s partnership with Mohinder Amarnath (who scored 37) helped stabilize the innings after some early jitters.
In their second innings, the West Indies looked to make amends for their first-innings performance, but India’s bowlers, particularly Chandrasekhar, had other plans. Chandrasekhar once again bamboozled the West Indian batsmen with his leg-spin, finishing with figures of 4 for 53. His variations in flight and turn proved too much for the visitors, who could only muster 151 in their second innings.
Kalicharan, after his near-century in the first innings, could only manage 33 in the second. Greenidge and Richards were dismissed cheaply, leaving the West Indies in trouble. It was a collective bowling effort from India, with support from Bedi and Madan Lal, that helped restrict the West Indies.
Chasing a modest target of 125, India found themselves in a tricky situation as they lost early wickets. Gavaskar was dismissed for just 22, and Chauhan followed soon after. The West Indies, with their fast bowlers Roberts and Holder, were mounting a spirited defense of their small total.
Once again, it was Vishwanath who stepped up when India needed him the most. His calm and composed 31 not out anchored the Indian innings, as wickets continued to fall at the other end. With Amarnath and Kirmani providing valuable support, India managed to overhaul the target, winning the match by six wickets.
Vishwanath’s contribution in both innings was crucial, not just in terms of runs but also in the way he handled the pressure of the situation. His performances in this Test cemented his reputation as one of India’s finest batsmen, especially when playing under challenging conditions.
The Madras Test of 1977 was a turning point in the series, as India leveled the series 1-1 with three matches to go. Vishwanath’s century in the first innings and his composed 31 in the second innings were central to India’s victory. Chandrasekhar’s magical bowling, with a total of 10 wickets in the match, was another key factor.
For the West Indies, Kalicharan’s near-century in the first innings was a bittersweet moment. His 98 was a brilliant knock, but the manner of his dismissal left him agonizingly short of a deserved hundred. His leadership throughout the series, though commendable, could not prevent India from mounting a strong comeback.
Sunil Gavaskar, while not at his prolific best in this Test, played a steady hand in both innings, ensuring that India didn’t collapse under pressure. His partnership with Vishwanath remained one of the cornerstones of India’s batting in the 1970s.
The match is often remembered as one of India’s finest Test victories, not just for the result but for the resilience and brilliance displayed by their players. Vishwanath’s century and Chandrasekhar’s match-winning spells continue to be celebrated as defining moments in Indian cricket history.
The Madras Test of 1977 was a showcase of the individual brilliance of players like Vishwanath, Chandrasekhar, Kalicharan, and Gavaskar. It also underscored the importance of teamwork and resilience in cricket. While Kalicharan’s near-miss added drama to the contest, it was Vishwanath’s brilliance with the bat and Chandrasekhar’s wizardry with the ball that turned the tide in India’s favor.
For Indian cricket fans, this victory was more than just a win; it was a testament to the fighting spirit of the Indian team, a spirit embodied by the likes of Vishwanath and Chandrasekhar, whose contributions would be remembered for generations to come.
