Bhagwath Subramanya Chandrasekhar, popularly known as BS Chandrasekhar or simply Chandra, is a former Indian cricketer who played Test cricket for India between 1964 and 1979. A right-arm leg-spin and googly bowler, he is widely regarded as one of the most effective and unorthodox spinners in the history of cricket. He formed part of the celebrated Indian spin quartet of the 1960s and 1970s along with Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkataraghavan.
Key facts
| Full name | Bhagwath Subramanya Chandrasekhar |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1945, Mysore, Karnataka, India |
| Role | Bowler (right-arm leg break and googly) |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Test debut | 21 January 1964, vs England, Brabourne Stadium, Bombay |
| Last Test | 1979, vs England |
| Test matches | 58 |
| Test wickets | 242 |
| Domestic team | Mysore / Karnataka |
| Honours | Padma Shri (1972), Arjuna Award (1972), Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1972) |
Background
Chandrasekhar was born in Mysore in the princely state of Mysore (present-day Karnataka). As a child he contracted polio, which left his right arm — his bowling arm — withered and significantly weakened. Far from ending his cricketing aspirations, the affliction is often credited with giving his bowling its unique whippy action and unusual pace through the air, allowing him to bowl leg-spin, top-spin and googlies at a speed close to medium-pace.
He developed his cricket in Bangalore, where he played first for Mysore (later renamed Karnataka) in the Ranji Trophy. His rapid rise from club cricket to the Test side at the age of 18 was one of the more remarkable Indian cricketing stories of the 1960s.
Career
Domestic cricket
Chandrasekhar represented Mysore/Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy throughout his first-class career. He was central to Karnataka winning their first Ranji Trophy title in 1973–74, ending the long Bombay dominance, alongside players such as GR Viswanath, EAS Prasanna, Brijesh Patel and Syed Kirmani.
Test career
He made his Test debut against Mike Smith's England side in January 1964 and took four wickets in his first innings. Over the next decade and a half he became India's leading match-winning bowler.
Some of his career highlights include:
- 1971, The Oval, England: His spell of 6 for 38 dismissed England for 101 and set up India's first-ever Test win in England, under Ajit Wadekar's captaincy. The series win is regarded as a landmark moment in Indian cricket.
- 1972–73 home series vs England: He took 35 wickets in the five-match series, leading India to a 2–1 victory.
- 1977–78 tour of Australia: He took 12 wickets in the Melbourne Test (6 for 52 and 6 for 52), helping India to victory and finishing the series among the leading wicket-takers.
- He picked up five wickets in a Test innings on 16 occasions.
Bowling style
Chandrasekhar's stock delivery was the googly, bowled at near medium pace, which he combined with a sharp top-spinner and an occasional leg-break. The extra pace, bounce and limited turn made him exceptionally difficult to read or play off the back foot, and he was particularly effective on Indian pitches as well as on bouncier surfaces in England, Australia and the West Indies. As a batsman, he holds the unusual distinction of having taken more Test wickets than the number of runs he scored.
Honours and recognition
- Padma Shri — 1972, conferred by the Government of India.
- Arjuna Award — 1972, for outstanding achievement in cricket.
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year — 1972, following India's tour of England.
- Voted Indian Cricketer of the Century by readers in some polls conducted by Indian publications.
After retirement
Chandrasekhar retired from international cricket after the 1978–79 series against England. He largely stayed away from the cricket administration and media circuits that drew many of his contemporaries, preferring a quiet life in Bangalore. He has occasionally been associated with Karnataka cricket and BCCI events, and is regularly cited by former players and historians as one of India's most original cricketing talents.
Significance
Chandrasekhar's career marks a turning point in Indian cricket. Together with Bedi, Prasanna and Venkataraghavan, he was central to India's transition from a struggling Test side into a team capable of winning overseas, including historic series wins in the West Indies and England in 1971. His personal story — overcoming polio to become one of the most feared spinners of his generation — remains an influential narrative in Indian sport.
Related topics
- Indian Spin Quartet
- Bishan Singh Bedi
- Erapalli Prasanna
- Srinivas Venkataraghavan
- Ajit Wadekar
- GR Viswanath
- Karnataka cricket team
- India national cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Padma Shri
- Arjuna Award
References
- ESPNcricinfo — player profile and statistics for BS Chandrasekhar.
- Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 1972 edition — Cricketers of the Year.
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) archives.
- Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs — Padma Awards records.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — Arjuna Award records.