S. Venkataraghavan, a multifaceted achiever and member of legendary Indian spin quartet, turns 80

Srinivas Venkataraghavan, one of India’s most decorated cricket personalities, turned 80 on Monday. A multifaceted achiever, he was born to serve the game in demanding roles on and off the field.

He was a player, captain, selector, coach, administrator, manager, ICC (International Cricket Council) referee, umpire, sports writer, and TV expert. As a distinguished umpire, he served in 73 Tests and 52 ODIs, and the ICC preferred him for high-profile matches.

Making his debut in the 1965 home series against New Zealand, he achieved his best bowling figures at Delhi in his fourth Test, 51.1-26-72-8. His accuracy commanded the attention of the batsmen, making them play every ball. “He would set his field, and batsmen would find it almost impossible to find gaps. He was the most intelligent bowler I had known,” left-arm great Bishan Singh Bedi had once told this reporter.

From left to right: Former Indian spinners B.S. Chandrasekhar, S. Venkatraghavan, Bishen Singh Bedi and E.A.S. Prasanna in Kochi on April 1, 2005. | Photo Credit: MAHESH HARILAL/THE HINDU ARCHIVES

Venkataraghavan was part of the great quartet of Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and B.S. Chandrasekhar. “Bishan was my greatest supporter, a dear friend. He took pride in my work as an umpire,” remembered Venkataraghavan.

Constantly reminding people that he was a traditionalist, Venkatraghavan was universally respected for his consistency as an umpire, earning praise from the players for his unerring rulings.

Sportstar archives | Venkataraghavan weighs in on challenges of umpiring

In a Test match at Adelaide Oval in 2000, he faced an amusing situation as Australia pressed for a victory against the West Indies. “The appeals came from the players and the spectators,” he laughed, recalling the tense atmosphere.

A similar appeal went to the third umpire, and the screen flashed Not Out. Venkatraghavan smiled. Glenn McGrath joined the next appeal - 11 Aussies on the field and 11,000 from the stands. Venkataraghavan, never the one to be intimidated by pressure tactics, calmly negated the appeal. The screen flashed Not Out. As McGrath walked back to bowl the subsequent ball, he whispered to Venkataraghavan. “I am happy one man is watching the Test.” It was as good a compliment an umpire could expect for his work.

Umpire S. Venkatraghavan (right) chats with Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar (left) during the first Test against England in Mohali played from December 03 to 06, 2001. | Photo Credit: V.V. KRISHNAN / THE HINDU ARCHIVES

On another occasion, officiating in Pakistan, he was pleasantly surprised by a demand from Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. “They walked up to me with two more players from their team who asked if I could stand in all the Test matches they played.” It was a tribute to Venkataraghavan’s competence and fairness when doing his job.

Venkataraghavan has been a lover of sports. Known for his cricket conquests, he takes pride in sharing his love for other games. “I played hockey for MCC alongside (Olympian) BP Govinda: some competitive tennis, table tennis and snooker. I love golf,” he shared. A few years ago, he achieved a hole-in-one when playing in US, where he spends six months of a year with his sons, Vikram and Vinay.

From right to left: S. Venkataraghavan, his grandchildren Lila, Adithya and Ananya, and his wife Ranjani. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

On his love for golf, Venkataraghavan’s wife, Ranjani talks of the joy their grandchildren - Adithya, Lila and Ananya - bring with their feats. Ananya was part of the Girls 10-11 group competition during the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2025 in Augusta.

Venkataraghavan was a difficult bowler to face. His trajectory was varied, keeping the batsmen on their toes. Attempting to square-cut or cover-drive would invite trouble even for the well-set batsmen. His well-disguised, faster one was the most lethal weapon. He was a flattish off-spinner who kept evolving. What stood out was his ability to generate extra bounce at will.

In a Ranji Trophy match at Chepauk, a Delhi batsman hit Venkataraghavan for two sixes and flashed his teeth at the bowler. The bowler was annoyed. On a third-day track, he left the batsman embarrassed with a ball that smashed into his face. Venkataraghavan reportedly asked the batsman to flash his teeth. “I want to see how they look now.”

“Venkataraghavan would set his field, and batsmen would find it almost impossible to find gaps. He was the most intelligent bowler I had known.”Bishen Singh Bedi

Venkataraghavan, who led India in the World Cups in 1975 and 1979, was quite demanding as a captain. “He would not tolerate anyone messing up and not giving his best,” remembered WV Raman, who has always looked up to Venkataraghavan. “He would never give up. Ten runs to defend with 10 wickets to take, Venky Sir would say it was possible to win. Such was his approach to the game,” recalled Raman.

For the cricket lovers in Chennai, he was a demigod. In another Ranji Trophy match at Chepauk between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, the umpires were under pressure because of the acrimonious exchanges between the rival players following relentless appeals. The passionate crowd did not like the decision against TE Srinivasan and invaded the ground. It was a volatile situation, and Delhi all-rounder Madan Lal pulled out a stump to chase a spectator who had run onto the pitch. “I was the 12th man and feared for the safety of our team,” recalled K Bhaskar Pillai.

“As trouble escalated, Mr. Venkataraghavan walked out and went to the trouble-making section of the crowd. He spoke to them, and the crowd relented in no time. The match progressed peacefully. That day, I discovered the institution that Mr. Venkataraghavan was,” said Bhaskar.

Indian spinner S. Venkataraghavan in action during a match in 1975. | Photo Credit: HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES

Venkataraghavan was still in college, studying engineering, when he made his Test debut. He is the only Indian to have achieved this distinction. “I pursued cricket and education with the same passion. I have always maintained that education should be the most important part of our lives. It ensures you don’t commit mistakes and helps you with quality self-analysis. Cricket gave me everything I dreamt of, and education made me a better person.”

Honoured with Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, Venkataraghavan has remained humble. “Cricket and education taught me to stay grounded,” he told Sportstar from California as his family formalised arrangements to celebrate a grand birthday for one of India’s celebrated cricketers.

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