Srinivas Venkataraghavan had two long careers in cricket and was outstanding in both. As an off-spinner he took 156 wickets in 57 Tests, captained India at the first two World Cups and formed part of the country’s famous spin quartet. Then, years after his last Test as a player, he became one of the most respected umpires in the world, standing in 73 Tests. Few people have seen international cricket from so many angles.
Name: Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan | Born: 21 April 1945, Madras | Sport: Cricket | Position: Right-arm off-spin bowler; later international umpire
Madras cricket and an early call-up
Venkataraghavan, known throughout the game simply as Venkat, grew up in Madras and played his first-class cricket for Madras from 1963 and then for Tamil Nadu until 1985. He was an off-spinner more reliant on accuracy, bounce and subtle variation than on big turn. He was also a good close fielder and a useful lower-order batter, which made him valuable even on days when the pitch offered him little.
His Test debut came against New Zealand at the stadium now known as the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Madras on 27 February 1965. He did not have to wait long for a breakthrough. In the fourth Test of that series, at Delhi, he took 12 wickets in the match and played a central part in an Indian victory. His best Test figures of 8 for 72 underlined how dangerous he could be when conditions suited him.
One of the spin quartet
Through the late 1960s and 1970s Venkat shared the spin bowling with Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar. As one of two off-spinners in the group, he and Prasanna were often competing for the same place, and his selection depended on conditions and on the balance captains wanted. When he did play, he gave the attack control and a reliable option to keep runs down while the others attacked.
Over his Test career he took 156 wickets at an average of 36.11, with three five-wicket hauls, and scored 748 runs. His overall first-class record was much heavier: 1,390 wickets from 341 matches, the second-highest total by an Indian bowler, with a best of 9 for 93.
World Cup captain and county cricketer
Venkataraghavan led India at the first World Cup in England in 1975 and again in 1979, captaining the side in seven one-day internationals in all. India were still new to the one-day game, and the results reflected that. He did not take a wicket in either tournament, and in 15 one-day internationals overall he collected five wickets. In Tests he captained India five times, including the 1979 tour of England.
Between 1973 and 1975 he played county cricket for Derbyshire, adding English conditions to an already wide range of experience. His final one-day international came against West Indies in April 1983.
From bowler to umpire
After his playing days, Venkat turned to umpiring and quickly rose to the top. He officiated in his first Test in 1993 and stood in 73 Tests up to 2004, along with 52 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2003. Including his work as television umpire and match referee, he was involved in 79 Tests and 78 one-day internationals as an official. He was a member of the ICC’s Elite Panel of umpires and became known for his calm manner and firm decisions, earning the respect of players from every country.
That second career was unusual for a former Test captain from his era, and it gave him a perspective on the modern game that few of his contemporaries had.
Honours
Venkataraghavan received the Arjuna Award in 1971 and the Padma Shri in 2003, by which time he was established as one of the leading umpires in world cricket. In 2004 he shared the BCCI’s Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award with the other members of the spin quartet.
Career record and honours
- Tests: 57 matches, 156 wickets, average 36.11, best 8 for 72, three five-wicket hauls
- Test batting: 748 runs, average 11.68
- One-day internationals: 15 matches, 5 wickets
- First-class: 341 matches, 1,390 wickets, best 9 for 93
- Test debut: 27 February 1965 v New Zealand, Madras
- Captained India at the 1975 and 1979 World Cups; five Tests as captain
- County cricket: Derbyshire, 1973-1975
- Umpire in 73 Tests (1993-2004) and 52 one-day internationals (1993-2003)
- Arjuna Award, 1971
- Padma Shri, 2003
- Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, 2004 (shared with the spin quartet)
