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This
ICC Match Referee and Umpire, born on 21st April 1946, was a member
of the famous spin quartet that tormented batsmen for well over
a decade. A right arm spinner who was accurate and attacking, Venkataraghavan
made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1964/65, right here in
Chennai. Venkat played for India from February 1965 to September
1983, which was one of the longest stints for any Indian player.
Having started his career with 21 wickets in four Test matches,
Venkat was described as a premium bowler, a useful tail-end
batsman, an excellent close-in fielder, and a shrewd captain. His
best bowling figure in Test matches read 8 for 72. He also engineered
three five-wicket hauls.
As a batsman, he scored two half-centuries in Test cricket. He
led the Indian team in the first two World Cup tournaments and also
during the tour of England in 1979.
He retired from first-class cricket in 1985 after taking the second
biggest haul of wickets in the Ranji Trophy - 530.
He made his umpiring debut in 1992/93, both in ODI s (One-Day Internationals)
and Test matches and has also been a Match Referee.
Another Hall-of-Fame cricketer from the city of Chennai.
ROBIN SINGH
Indian Cricket all-rounder, Robin Singh has earned for himself
the title of 'Veteran Crisis Manager'.
This
left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer is also among the
best fielders in the side.
Born in Trinidad, Robin Singh's talent helped make him Captain
of the Under-19 Trinidad Cricket team. He came to Chennai in response
to an offer from the Madras Cricket Club.
His 4 centuries and 17 wickets helped Tamil Nadu take the Ranji
Trophy in 1987-88. But this launch into the National team turned
awry after India's disastrous tour of the West Indies in 1989. Robin
Singh was dropped and he returned to the National team only
after 7 years. In this period he performed admirably for Tamil Nadu
and eventually led the State team.
At 33, when most sportsmen contemplate retirement, Robin Singh
came back into the national team. And he has become the fighting
face of Indian cricket, in the midst of several batting collapses.
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