Staying strong on a roller-coaster ride
If you YouTube Sadanand Vishwanath, the first search result most likely would be his magical performance against England in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
On a fine night at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, wicket-keeper Vishwanath, showing lightning quick reflexes, effected five dismissals. Talked about even today, that remains, perhaps, the happiest moment in Vishwanaths life. Much of his journey, before and after that, has been about setbacks and trying hard to overcome it.
Set to turn 55 on November 29, Vishwanaths birthday gift from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is something that he is accepting with reluctance. Having taken up an umpires job 22 years ago as a way of reconnecting with cricket after going adrift, Vishwanath will no more be officiating in a game as he crosses the age limit.
“Well, its very sad that I cant be officiating a game anymore,” rued Vishwanath in a conversation with DH. “I feel Im still good enough to officiate in a game. Two decades of experience has only made me richer. But since Im not part of the elite panel nor do I have any international experience, I have …read more
