V.B.Chandrasekhar      

Kris Srikkanth's swashbuckling approach usually made his partner look pedestrian but VB was an exception. He was the only batsman who could match Srikkanth in daredevilry and on many occasions, even outscored him when the two opened for Tamil Nadu. In the 1988-89 Irani Trophy game against the Rest of India at Chennai, VB outshone Srikkanth and reached his 100 off just 56 balls, then the fastest hundred in first-class cricket by an Indian. This knock brought him into the limelight and he was included in the Indian team for the one-day internationals against New Zealand. He enjoyed only modest success. But he struck a purple patch during the 1989-90 season and with two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, forced his way back into the national side which toured New Zealand in early 1990. He started off well with scores of 92 and 71 in the first-class games. But his hopes suffered a setback when, instead of calling on his services when Sidhu was injured, the tour management flew in Vengsarkar. Downhearted, VB was never the same force again. He failed in the one-day games which followed the Test series and was not considered again.

He remained a pillar of strength for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy for many years. He had been one of the stars of the state's unexpected triumph in 1987-88 with over 551 runs. He also scored 572 runs in the 1991-92 season and captained Tamil Nadu for a few years before joining Goa as a professional. By the time he retired in the late 90s, he had scored 3971 runs (41.80) in the national competition with a highest score of 237 not out for Goa against Kerala. He now runs a well-organised cricket academy in Chennai.
Partab Ramcahnd