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Born: February 12, 1949, Bhadravati, Mysore
Major teams: India, Karnataka, Mysore
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Leg break
Achievements:Each of his 14 Test centuries resulted in either an Indian victory or a draw; made a crucial century in India's historic chase of 403 against West Indies; first Indian player to score a 100 against every other Test playing country; former India captain
Gundappa Viswanath, perhaps the best batsmen India have ever produced, was renowned for his never-say-die spirit and sublime cricketing skills. Viswanath made a grand debut in Test cricket against the Australians when he scored a fine century punctuated with 25 exquisite boundaries.
Short in height but tall in stature, Gundapa Vishwanath was India's quintessential man of crisis. On umpteen occasions, he took the attack to opposition camps when wickets were falling around him in a heap. Each of Gundappa Viswanath's 14 Test centuries resulted in either an Indian victory or a draw and with Sunil Gavaskar he was the bedrock of India's batting in the 1970s.
Viswanath possessed a dazzling array of shots in his repertoire and his batting was a specter of wristy elegance and nimble footwork. His technique was impeccable and he was equally at home against both pacemen and spinners.
One of Vishy's greatest innings was played against a young Andy Roberts who was at his fastest on a first-day fresh pitch in Madras in 1974-75. With India reeling at 76 for 6, in came Vishwanath and went on to score to a defiant 97 that laid the foundation of an Indian victory.
