The auspicious day of Ugadi marks a landmark in the history of Karnataka’s cricket – 50 years since its first Ranji Trophy win in 1974, and along with this celebration comes a growing call to honour the state’s cricketing greats by naming stands after them at the famed M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah has written to the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Raghuram Bhat A, urging him to take a decision. He referred to a letter by noted historian and author Ramachandra Guha, requesting the chief minister’s office to urge the cricket body to honour greats like EAS Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar and Gundappa Viswanath by naming stands after “these three great cricketers and human beings who have nobly upheld the spirit of the game on and off the field”.
‘Reward great cricketers of Karnataka’
Guha told News18 that the KSCA exists to serve Karnataka cricket and it is time it honoured our past cricketers. “I very much hope that the KSCA finally sees reason and rewards the great cricketers of the past. Nothing would give the fans of Karnataka cricket greater pleasure,” he said.
In his letter, the historian also mentioned how cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other places have honoured great players from the city or their state in a similar manner. He said if the KSCA is unwilling to take a decision, he urged the state government to rename the roads adjoining the stadium after these cricketing legends.
“At present, these roads carry the names of a British monarch and a colonial administrator. Naming them after Vishy, Pras and Chandra will be appreciated by cricket fans across Karnataka and India,” he added.
Siddaramaiah’s letter to the KSCA referred to Guha’s request, adding: “Earlier, for 15 continuous years, the Bombay (Mumbai) team used to win the trophy. He (Guha) has stated that there are repeated requests from fans to honour the three great stars of the 1974 victory… I think the request of Sri Ramachandra Guha has a lot of merit in it and I request you to consider naming stands after GR Viswanath, EAS Prasanna and BS Chandrasekhar, which will inspire and encourage the upcoming cricketers of the state,” the CM wrote to Bhat.
‘Little Master’ Gavaskar makes an appeal
The clamour for honouring these greats got an added push when former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also recently appealed to the KSCA to name the stands after them.
In a recent video message played at an event honouring the 1974 champions, the ‘Little Master’ had said: “I hope this golden jubilee is taken advantage of by the KSCA, to name and honour some of the stands at the M Chinnaswamy stadium after stalwarts, particularly those who won in 1974. Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, Gundappa Viswanath, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath to name a few.”
Senior cricketers chime in
“This is the perfect time and, with Ugadi that heralds the new year for all of us, what better way to celebrate 50 years of winning our first Ranji trophy and honour our greats,” said former Indian cricketer and selector Sunil Joshi, who is coaching the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team now.
Joshi said by deciding to name the stands after such legends and stalwarts of cricket, who hail from Karnataka, it reflects the state’s culture and respect that people accord to the cricketers who have contributed so much to the game.
Recalling his sporting career, Joshi spoke about how his dream to play for Ranji for Karnataka, being a winning captain and lifting the trophy was realised on this very land. “There could be no better way than that to honour our seniors who made us dream, set the path for us and inspired us to be better cricketers,” he said.
“My love for cricket began by watching all these cricketing legends. I have great memories interacting with Prasanna sir, in fact when I was selected for the Indian team, GRV sir was the chairman of the selection committee and, when we won the Ranji trophy now, he hugged me. I have bowled with Chandrashekhar sir standing beside me and guiding me,” he added.
Former test cricket player Vijay Bharadwaj said this demand has been a “long pending one”. “Karnataka has produced so many legends, including Roger Binny, Syed Kirmani who were part of the 1983 World Cup winning team. If you don’t consider them, it is unfair. The likes of Rahul Dravid, Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Kumble’s contribution to world cricket is immense. If they want to name, it must not just be three players; it has to be those who played for the country with immense distinction,” said the former cricketer, adding that this will inspire and motivate budding cricketers.
Another former Indian cricketer, Dodda Ganesh, has an interesting take. “There are many grounds of the KSCA in cities across the state. Name them after these cricketing diamonds. We have a ground in Alur near Bengaluru; give it Brijesh Patel’s name, or the Belagavi grounds after GRV sir or the one in Mysuru after Kumble. Then the young cricketers who go to play there, they will remember the legacy left behind by our seniors and aspire to be like them,” he told News18.
Ganesh said Brijesh Patel, who has made an immense contribution to Karnataka cricket, should be honoured along with the legends. He added that new talents like Vinay Kumar, who have led Karnataka to greater heights, should also find a space in the list.
‘Human metaphors for cricketing excellence’
Senior sports commentator Sharda Ugra said it is time that the decision is taken and she cannot think of a reason why there would be an objection or delay in the matter. She said all new stadiums, which are being built, should be named after great cricketing legends.
“All our great cricketers are moving human metaphors for cricketing excellence that the state has produced,” Ugra said.
“We have seen that in India, stadiums are named after administrators; and now we see a grand naming of stands and gates after cricketers that is a very welcome sign. For Bengaluru, it is all the more important because after Mumbai, Karnataka has won the most number of Ranji trophy titles in the country. So, is it not ridiculous that the stands of the stadiums are named according to the English alphabet?” she asked.
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