How much did Vikramraju ‘s index finger change cricket?

The 22nd of September 1986 will always be remembered as the day that quite effectively changed Indian cricket. Whether it was for better or worse, it changed, and in many opinions, Indian cricket is where it is today because of what happened in Chepauk all those years ago. However, when one rewinds the clock back to where it all began, it will be clear that this was more than just a historic Test match. Apart from the fact that ‘Uncle Vikramraju’ raised the finger that deemed Maninder Singh out, the tie educated cricketers, fans, pundits etc. Quite effectively, it changed everybody.

Chepauk in Chennai is perhaps one of the most torrid settings to play a game of cricket. It can almost be described as riding an entire stage of the Tour de France. It is brutal on the body. Especially, with Madras being a coastal city, it is clear that the humidity will most certainly play a massive factor. While Kiran More, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was affected by food poisoning, Dean Jones was the one who was perhaps affected by the ordeal the most.

The lessons learnt

Of course, those were primitive times in cricket, and of course, players did not have the slightest clue on their well-being of their body. Allan Border could be partially blamed for this, but the Dean Jones incident is perhaps something lingering in the minds of many at the moment. Losing seven kilos in a day prompted Border and Australia coach at the time – Bob Simpson to employ a team doctor.

While lesson one was indeed learnt, it was time for lesson two. Lesson two involved a supremely positive message as far as the players were concerned. Allan Border to this day admits that he underestimated the Indian batting unit. Sure enough, India was able to chase down 347 of the 348 runs. The impact it is having can be seen in the captains of today. Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, in particular, are two skippers who deem it their birthright to win each and every Test match. In terms of churning out a result, it is perhaps a good thing. The negative aspect could perhaps be the fact that the result doesn’t always go the way the skipper wants it.

The third lesson is something that one needs to touch upon since it raises many a talking point on how cricket has shaped up today. The last over of the match has been supremely well-documented. The scene could not be painted better for a true romantic of Test match cricket watching. As a romantic of the sport myself, there are only a handful of experiences that I have clung onto the edge of my seat. Of course, I was not born then, but the highlights of the final over are something that has managed to capture my imagination each time I watch it.

The first two deliveries from Greg Matthews seemed to take almost a year to bowl. The third delivery was a misfield from Steve Waugh at deep square leg. Three deliveries to go, three runs to win. This was Ravi Shastri at his utmost best. Maninder Singh, perhaps India’s best tail-ender and India’s lucky charm was at the other. With his shiny red turban, a smile on his face, and perhaps the best seat in the house.

The Chepauk crowd was clamoring for Shastri to complete the win. It had been a while since they had seen the Indians beat the Aussies in India. One swing of the bat and Shastri picks up one run, perhaps the furthest possible thing from ideal as far as Maninder Singh and the rest of the Indian camp was concerned. “Try to score of the penultimate delivery. If not, just go for it in the final delivery because you have nothing to lose,” Shastri said. The last delivery. I give Greg Matthews a lot of credit for being able to run in and bowl it. Of course, nowadays, the cricketers are well versed with the theory of ‘Death Bowling’. For Greg Matthews however, it was just a chat with AB and run into bowl again. Son, it was 1986!

The last delivery and Vikramraju’s finger went up in a jiffy. Not because he thought that it was out. Neither was it to end the match since it was a hot day. Even the fact that whether or not he was an Australian supporter can be off the list. But, because he wanted to be a part of history. Ravi Shastri allegedly confronted Vikramraju at the umpire’s shed soon after. As he would describe it a few years later about how he gave the umpire a ‘proper service’ and how he would have been banned for ‘a year’ or more perhaps.

Uncle Vikramraju and his predicament

However, ‘Uncle Vikramraju’ has indeed impacted what goes on in cricket today. While many things about biased umpiring and the amendment of the rulebook over several occasions have taken place, there is one thing that has made an impact today. The Decision Review System, although not trusted by countries like the BCCI and some of the other boards has made its way in for this particular reason. Do umpires want to be a part of history? They can go to a museum and erect a statue of themselves. They do not want to embrace the new laws in place? Sure, the ICC has tons of panels umpires to fill in the role for them.

The use of Technology

Of the ‘Big Three’ (India, Australia, and England) who run cricket as of today, the DRS system is prevalent in Australia and England. Of course, they share a terrible and bitter rivalry. Yet, the revolution of the DRS has been massive. Has umpiring accuracy increased? Yes, of course! However, although Vikramraju may not know it just yet, he is inadvertently responsible for the creation of widgets such as ‘Hawkeye’, ‘Hotspot’, and other such tools that are used to assist the umpires as of today.

However, one thing that still saddens me today is that there are only a limited number of reviews for each batsman to have. Two reviews per innings and the lower order, as well as the batting tail, will be forced to accept the umpire’s decision at face value and get on with his walk of shame back to the haven of the dressing room. Anger cases have been recorded in such instances. Michel Vaughan tells a story of Matt Prior shattering the glass on the MCC members seated below the MCC dressing room at Lord’s after losing his wicket.

While all this technology is certainly available, one can only assume that a ton of money is being spent, Of course, all these monetary things are most certainly available, it is clear that a batsman needs more than one review to question his batting existence in the crease. Although I am indeed Indian and have been a massive supporter of the Indian cricket team over the years, I am a huge believer in technology. Thus, I would go on to vote ‘Yes’ when it would indeed come to a stage where the BCCI, as well as the Indian cricket team, go on to embrace the fact that the DRS is indeed going to be a prevalent one.

In what is going to be a prologue to this article, another thing that should be implemented in international cricket is the ‘Countdown Timer’. This timer, that has and is still being used in county cricket to keep time on when the match concludes, rules out the need to impose fines every now and then on captains who fail to fall within this time limit. However, while geeks like myself who would certainly like to see all these implementations in the game, it is most certainly not my call whether these are implemented or not.