SRINIVASARAGHAVAN VENKATARAGHAVAN

This ICC Match Referee and Umpire, born on 21st April 1946, was a member of the famous spin quartet that tormented batsmen for well over a decade. A right arm spinner who was accurate and attacking, Venkataraghavan made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1964/65, right here in Chennai. Venkat played for India from February 1965 to September 1983, which was one of the longest stints for any Indian player.

Having started his career with 21 wickets in four Test matches, Venkat was described as a premium bowler, a useful tail-end batsman, an excellent close-in fielder, and a shrewd captain. His best bowling figure in Test matches read 8 for 72. He also engineered three five-wicket hauls.

As a batsman, he scored two half-centuries in Test cricket. He led the Indian team in the first two World Cup tournaments and also during the tour of England in 1979.

He retired from first-class cricket in 1985 after taking the second biggest haul of wickets in the Ranji Trophy - 530.

He made his umpiring debut in 1992/93, both in ODI s (One-Day Internationals) and Test matches and has also been a Match Referee.

Another Hall-of-Fame cricketer from the city of Chennai.

ROBIN SINGH

Indian Cricket all-rounder, Robin Singh has earned for himself the title of 'Veteran Crisis Manager'.

This left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer is also among the best fielders in the side.

Born in Trinidad, Robin Singh's talent helped make him Captain of the Under-19 Trinidad Cricket team. He came to Chennai in response to an offer from the Madras Cricket Club.

His 4 centuries and 17 wickets helped Tamil Nadu take the Ranji Trophy in 1987-88. But this launch into the National team turned awry after India's disastrous tour of the West Indies in 1989. Robin Singh was dropped and he returned to the National team only after 7 years. In this period he performed admirably for Tamil Nadu and eventually led the State team.

At 33, when most sportsmen contemplate retirement, Robin Singh came back into the national team. And he has become the fighting face of Indian cricket, in the midst of several batting collapses.

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