Krishnamachari Srikkanth Explained

Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Caption:Srikkanth in 2014
Country:India
Fullname:Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Nickname:Cheeka
Birth Date:21 December 1959
Birth Place:Madras, Madras State, India
(now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)
Height:175 cm
Batting:Right-handed
Bowling:Right arm offbreak
Role:Batter
Family:Adithya (son)
Anirudha (son)
International:true
Internationalspan:1981–1992
Testdebutdate:27 November
Testdebutyear:1981
Testdebutagainst:England
Testcap:154
Lasttestdate:1 February
Lasttestyear:1992
Lasttestagainst:Australia
Odidebutdate:25 November
Odidebutyear:1981
Odidebutagainst:England
Odicap:37
Lastodidate:15 March
Lastodiyear:1992
Lastodiagainst:South Africa
Columns:4
Column1:Test
Matches1:43
Runs1:2,062
Bat Avg1:29.88
100S/50S1:2/12
Top Score1:123
Deliveries1:216
Wickets1:0
Bowl Avg1:–
Fivefor1:–
Tenfor1:–
Best Bowling1:–
Catches/Stumpings1:40/–
Column2:ODI
Matches2:146
Runs2:4,091
Bat Avg2:29.01
100S/50S2:4/27
Top Score2:123
Deliveries2:712
Wickets2:25
Bowl Avg2:25.64
Fivefor2:2
Tenfor2:0
Best Bowling2:5/27
Catches/Stumpings2:42/–
Column3:FC
Matches3:134
Runs3:7,349
Bat Avg3:34.99
100S/50S3:12/45
Top Score3:172
Deliveries3:2,533
Wickets3:29
Bowl Avg3:49.72
Fivefor3:0
Tenfor3:0
Best Bowling3:3/14
Catches/Stumpings3:93/–
Column4:LA
Matches4:184
Runs4:5,209
Bat Avg4:29.26
100S/50S4:5/32
Top Score4:123
Deliveries4:961
Wickets4:31
Bowl Avg4:29.06
Fivefor4:2
Tenfor4:0
Best Bowling4:5/27
Catches/Stumpings4:53/–
Date:10 November
Year:2014
Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/canada/content/player/34103.html ESPNcricinfo

Krishnamachari "Kris" Srikkanth (pronounced as /ta/; ; born 21 December 1959), also known as Cheeka, is a former Indian cricketer and coach. He also serves as a cricket commentator. He was a hard-hitting opening batter and an occasional right arm offbreak bowler. He has served as a captain of the Indian cricket team and chairman of the men's selection committee later.

Srikkanth was part of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup and top scored with 38 runs in the finals against the West Indies. He also won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket with the Indian team, in which he was the top run getter for India. He represented Tamil Nadu and South zone in Indian domestic cricket.

Srikkanth made his debut for the Indian team at the age of 21 in an One Day International (ODI) against England in Ahmedabad in November 1981. His test debut came two days later at Bombay. He scored two centuries in tests and four centuries in ODIs, all of which came in a three year period between 1986 and 1988. In a match against New Zealand in December 1988, he scored 70 runs and took five wickets, becoming only the second cricketer to record the feat of scoring a fifty and taking a five for in the same ODI match.

Srikkanth was appointed captain of the captain of the Indian team in 1989. He captained the team in four tests and 13 ODIs. He represented India at three Cricket World Cups and retired after the 1992 edition of the same. In a career that spanned over ten years, he scored more than 6,000 international runs. In 2019, he was awarded the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Early and personal life

Srikkanth was born on 21 December 1959 in Mylapore, Madras, Tamil Nadu to C.R. Krishnamachari and Indira Krishnamachari in a Tamil Brahmin family.[1] He has two siblings, brother Krishnamachari Srinath and sister Srekala Bharath. He did his schooling from Vidya Mandir and completed his pre-university from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College.[2] He graduated as an electrical engineer from College of Engineering, Guindy.[3] Srikkanth married Vidya on 30 March 1983.[4] [5] They have two sons Adityaa and Anirudha, both of them are cricketers themselves.[6]

Early career

Srikkanth represented Tamil Nadu and South zone in Indian domestic cricket. He made his first class debut during the 1978–79 season.[7] He was the captain of the first ever youth test played by the India national under-19 cricket team in the 1978–79 season.

International career

Debut and early years

Srikkanth made his One Day International (ODI) debut at the age of 21, against England in Ahmedabad on 25 November 1981. Opening the batting with Sunil Gavaskar, he scored a duck and India lost by 5 wickets.[8] He made his Test debut two days later against England at Bombay. Though he bagged another duck in the first innings and scored just 13 runs in the second innings, India won the match by 138 runs.[9]

1983 World cup and rise

Srikkanth was part of the Indian cricket team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He opened the batting and scored 156 runs in the tournament.[10] In the final against West Indies, he top-scored with 38 runs.[11] He was also part of the Indian team that won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. He was the top scorer in the tournament with 238 runs.[12] India won the final after beating Pakistan where he top scored with 77 runs from 66 balls and won the Man of the match award.[13]

Middle years

Srikkanth has his most prolific years in terms of runs from 1986 to 1988 when he scored two centuries in tests and four centuries in ODIs.[14] Srikkanth scored his first century in test cricket in the third test against Australia at Sydney on 2 January 1986. He scored his second and last test century against the visiting Pakistan at his home ground at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai in February 1987. His first ODI century came against Australia on 7 September 1986 in Jaipur. He was also part of the Indian team that competed in the 1987 Cricket World Cup.[15] He scored 70 runs and took five wickets against New Zealand in an ODI match at Visakhapatnam on 10 December 1988.[16] In the process, he became the second person ever to record the feat of scoring a fifty and taking a five for in the same ODI match after Viv Richards.[17]

Captaincy of national team

In 1989, he was appointed captain of the captain of the Indian team.[18] Sachin Tendulkar made his debut under his captaincy in November 1989 against Pakistan.[19] He served as the captain of the test team for four matches during the India's tour of Pakistan in 1990 and drew all the matches.[20] He also captained the Indian team in 13 ODIs winning four and losing eight.[21]

Later career and retirement

Srikkanth played his last test match in February 1992 against Australia in Perth.[22] He scored 72 runs in the match and took five catches, all in the first innings setting a record for the most individual catches by a non wicket keeper in an innings of a test match.[23] He was named as part of the Indian team that competed in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and holds the unusual record of scoring the only run ever scored in international cricket at Ray Mitchell Oval, in Mackay, Australia when the only international match ever hosted at the venue was washed out after two deliveries.[24] He retired from international cricket in March 1992 after the world cup with his last match coming against South Africa at Adelaide.[6]

Playing style

Srikkanth was an opening batsman, noted for his aggressive play and attacking cricketing strokes.[25] He was known for his super-quick reflexes and scored majority of his runs through pulling and hooking or driving the ball.[6] Though his batting style was in stark contrast to his long time opening partner Sunil Gavaskar, who was known for his reserved approach, Gavaskar himself has said that Srikkanth's batting liberated him to play his natural game.[25] He targeted the new ball when it is hard and often scored his runs in the later years with hits over the infield when the fielding restrictions are in place during the initial overs.[25] He is considered as one of the pioneers of pinch hitting in men's cricket, nearly a decade before Ian Botham and Mark Greatbatch tried it in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and Sanath Jayasuriya popularized it during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.[26] [27] He was described by cricketers and commentators as one of the most entertaining batters of his era.[28]

Post retirement

Coach and chief selector

Post retirement, Srikkanth served as the coach of the India A cricket team.[29] On 18 February 2008, he was named as an ambassador for the Chennai Super Kings franchise for the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 competition.[30] On 27 September 2008, he was appointed as the Chief Selector of the Indian cricket team and served in the position till 2011.[31] The selection committee led by him picked up the Indian team that won its second ever Cricket World Cup in 2011. On 20 December 2012, he was named as the ambassador of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the IPL.[32]

Commentator and administrator

Srikkanth serves as a sport commentator with various sports and news channels.[29] He was nominated as a member of the panel of All India Council of Sports (AICS) in January 2020.[33]

Television

In June 2013, Srikkanth participated in the sixth season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a dance competition.[34] In February 2022, he participated in the first season of StarPlus's Smart Jodi as contestant with his wife Vidya.[35]

YearShowRoleNotes
2013Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6Contestant15th place
2022Smart Jodi 1

Honors

In 2019, he was awarded the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.[36]

Statistics

Runs

Srikkanth has scored 2,062 runs in 43 matches in tests at a batting average of 29.88. He has scored 4,091 runs in 146 ODI matches at an average of 29.01.[6]

Centuries

Srikkanth scored two centuries in tests and four centuries in ODIs.[14]

Tests
ScoreAgainstVenue
12 1 Sydney Cricket GroundAwayDrawn[37]
22 2M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, ChennaiHomeDrawn[38]
ODIs
ScoreAgainstVenue
11 2 Sawai Mansingh Stadium, JaipurAwayWon[39]
21 1Eden Gardens, KolkataHomeLost[40]
31 1Thiruvananthapuram Cricket stadium, ThiruvananthapuramHomeLost[41]
41 1Sharjah Cricket Stadium, SharjahNeutralWon[42]

Captaincy

In 1989, Srikkanth was appointed captain of the captain of the Indian team and served as the captain of the test team for four matches.[18] He also captained the Indian team in 13 ODIs winning four and losing eight.[21]

Srikkanth captaincy record
TypeMatchesWonLostDrawnTiedNo result
Test400400
ODI1348001

In popular culture

Jiiva played Srikanth in the Indian film 83 (2021).[43]

Notes and References

  1. News: The High Priests of Indian Cricket. Outlook. 15 December 2022. 1 November 2023. 16 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160516020614/http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-high-priests-of-indian-cricket/218914. live.
  2. Web site: Krishnamachari Srikkanth: Biography, Records, Age, Height, Achievements, Family and Career Statistics. 19 December 2022. Sports Digest. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101054753/https://sportsdigest.in/krishnamachari-srikkanth-biography-records-age-height-achievements-family-and-career-statistics/52084/. live.
  3. Web site: India's Oldest Engineering College Turns 225: 6 Alumni Who Have Made Guindy Proud!. The Better India. Vidya Raja. 31 July 2018. 31 July 2018. 23 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190323181220/https://www.thebetterindia.com/153870/college-engineering-guindy-chennai-news/. live.
  4. Web site: When Srikkanth bats, there is thunder and lightning: Bishen Singh Bedi. S. H. Venkatramani Raj Chengappa. 31 March 1987. India Today. 31 October 2023. 3 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003023405/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19870331-when-srikkanth-bats-there-is-thunder-and-lightning-says-bishen-singh-bedi-798688-1987-03-31. live.
  5. Web site: 'I'm brutally frank': Krishnamachari Srikkanth. Soma. Basu. The Hindu. 14 September 2012. 31 October 2023.
  6. Web site: Kris Srikkanth, profile. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154329/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kris-srikkanth-34103. live.
  7. Web site: Kris Srikkanth, Matches. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154329/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kris-srikkanth-34103/matches. live.
  8. Web site: 1st ODI, Ahmedabad, November 25, 1981, England tour of India. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 7 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231107023130/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-1981-82-61792/india-vs-england-1st-odi-64180/full-scorecard. live.
  9. Web site: 1st Test, Mumbai, November 27 - December 1, 1981, England tour of India. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154331/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-1981-82-61792/india-vs-england-1st-test-63298/full-scorecard. live.
  10. Web site: Most Career Runs, 1983 World Cup. ESPNcricinfo. 19 May 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101190254/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/batting-most-runs-career/prudential-world-cup-1983-573. live.
  11. Web site: Scorecard, 1983 World Cup Final. ESPNcricinfo. 19 May 2023. 19 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170719171847/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65090.html. live.
  12. Web site: Stats, World Championship of cricket. ESPNcricinfo. 19 May 2023. 17 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417173233/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/benson-hedges-world-championship-of-cricket-1984-85-60849/stats. live.
  13. Web site: India vs Pakistan, Final, Scorecard, 1985 World Series. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154328/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/benson-hedges-world-championship-of-cricket-1984-85-60849/india-vs-pakistan-final-65731/full-scorecard. live.
  14. Web site: List of centuries, Kris Srikkanth. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023.
  15. Web site: 1987 Cricket World cup squad. Crictotal. 31 October 2023.
  16. Web site: First ODI, Visakhapatnam, December 10, 1988, New Zealand tour of India. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101060434/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-india-1988-89-62135/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-odi-64332/full-scorecard. live.
  17. Web site: A fifty and five wickets in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023. 6 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231106033809/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/a-fifty-and-five-wickets-in-an-innings-282798. live.
  18. Web site: India Cricket Team Records & Stats: Test Captains. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080827/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-list-captains/india-6/test-matches-1. live.
  19. Web site: Indian tour of Pakistan 1989-90, first test. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154327/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-pakistan-1989-90-62328/pakistan-vs-india-1st-test-63513/full-scorecard. live.
  20. Web site: Indian tour of Pakistan 1989-90. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080549/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-pakistan-1989-90-62328. live.
  21. Web site: India Cricket Team Records & Stats: ODI Captains. ESPNcricinfo. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154327/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/individual-list-captains/india-6/one-day-internationals-2. live.
  22. Web site: India Tour of Australia 1991-92, 5th test. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101060100/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-1991-92-62295/australia-vs-india-5th-test-63567/full-scorecard. live.
  23. Web site: Most catches in a innings. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101060101/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-catches-in-an-innings-283555. live.
  24. Web site: India vs Sri Lanka. 11 December 2011. Cricket Archive. 11 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140511101036/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/55/55551.html. live.
  25. News: Cheeka turns 61: A tribute to dashing opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth on his birthday. Times Now. 21 December 2020. 31 October 2023.
  26. Web site: First of the pinch hitters?. 20 July 2020. The Guardian. 31 October 2023. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080548/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2000/jul/20/cricket. live.
  27. Web site: The best and worst pinch hitters. 8 August 2020. Wisden. 31 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154329/https://wisden.com/stories/the-best-and-worst-pinch-hitters. live.
  28. Web site: I thought if Richards can play shots, Why can't I?: Krishnamachari Srikkanth. The Economic Times. 27 December 2015. 31 October 2023.
  29. News: Krishnamachari Srikkanth Turns 63: Interesting Facts About 1983 Cricket World Cup Hero. News18. 12 December 2022. 27 October 2023. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154327/https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/happy-birthday-krishnamachari-srikkanth-4572926.html. live.
  30. News: Srikkanth appointed India's chief selector. 27 September 2018. Reuters. 13 September 2009. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031154328/https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-35686220080927. live.
  31. News: Mental strength as important as talent - Srikkanth. ESPNcricinfo. 27 October 2023. 29 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080929025317/http://content-eap.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/371522.html. live.
  32. News: Kris Srikkanth appointed mentor of Hyderabad Sunrisers. 20 December 2012. Firstpost. 12 December 2012. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080549/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/sunrisers-name-vvs-srikkanth-as-mentors-moody-as-coach-565679.html. live.
  33. News: Srikkanth included in government panel of sports. The Times of India. 21 January 2020. 27 October 2023. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080548/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sachin-tendulkar-viswanathan-anand-dropped-from-government-panel-on-sports/articleshow/73465736.cms. live.
  34. News: Krishnamachari Srikkanth contesting in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 6 . 4 June 2013 . 24 February 2022 . 8 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211008093315/https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2013/krishnamachari-srikkanth-contestant-in-jhalak-6-111240.html . live .
  35. News: 12 February 2022. Former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth and wife Vidya to participate in Smart Jodi. 24 February 2022. Times of India. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080553/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-former-cricketer-krishnamachari-srikkanth-and-wife-vidya-to-participate-in-smart-jodi/articleshow/89523223.cms. live.
  36. Web site: BCCI Annual Awards 2018-19 - List of Winners. 25 April 2023. Board of Control for Cricket in India. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823080556/https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2020/news/143699/bcci-annual-awards-2018-19-list-of-winners. live.
  37. Web site: 3rd Test, Sydney, January 02-06, 1986, India tour of Australia. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823081216/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-1985-86-62298/australia-vs-india-3rd-test-63420/full-scorecard. live.
  38. Web site: 1st Test, Chennai, February 03-08, 1987, Pakistan tour of India. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101062220/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-india-1986-87-61523/india-vs-pakistan-1st-test-63452/full-scorecard. live.
  39. Web site: 1st ODI, Jaipur, September 07, 1986, Australia tour of India. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823081100/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-1986-87-61426/india-vs-australia-1st-odi-64285/full-scorecard. live.
  40. Web site: 2nd ODI, Eden Gardens, February 18, 1987, Pakistan tour of India. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823081101/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-india-1986-87-61523/india-vs-pakistan-2nd-odi-64302/full-scorecard. live.
  41. Web site: 7th ODI, Thiruvananthapuram, January 25, 1988. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823081103/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-india-1987-88-61942/india-vs-west-indies-7th-odi-64320/full-scorecard. live.
  42. Web site: 1st Match, Sharjah, October 16, 1988, Champions Trophy. 1 November 2023. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823081103/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/champions-trophy-1988-89-60888/india-vs-west-indies-1st-match-65841/full-scorecard. live.
  43. News: Jiiva to play Krishnamachari Srikkanth in '83'. Udhav Naig. 2 February 2019. The Hindu. 27 October 2023. 13 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200913192106/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/jiiva-to-play-kris-srikkanth/article26159408.ece. live.

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