Girja Shankar Dixit
Vaman Viswanath Kumar, widely known as VV Kumar, was born on June 22, 1935, in Chennai (then Madras). His journey into leg-spin began during his school days, sparked by a simple curiosity—how a golf ball spun off a wall. This fascination soon led him to experiment with cricket balls, and before long, he was mesmerizing local batsmen with his prodigious turn and loop. By the age of 13, Kumar was already playing competitive cricket, relying on raw passion and self-belief rather than formal coaching.
VV Kumar became synonymous with Tamil Nadu cricket through the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. He was the first bowler to claim both 300 and 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, eventually finishing his first-class career with a staggering 599 wickets at an average of 19.98. His partnership with off-spinner S. Venkataraghavan was legendary—the duo spun out countless opponents and made Madras a formidable Ranji side. Kumar’s ability to extract sharp turn and bounce, combined with pinpoint accuracy, made him a nightmare for batsmen. Even Indian greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Ajit Wadekar found him difficult to negotiate.
He played a pivotal role in leading Madras to two Ranji Trophy finals—in 1967–68 and 1972–73—though both ended in narrow defeats to Bombay. His finest performance came in the 1972–73 semi-final against Maharashtra, a match he cherished throughout his life.
Kumar’s international career, though brief, sparkled with promise. He made his Test debut for India against Pakistan in 1961 and made an immediate impact, claiming five wickets in the first innings and dismissing opener Imtiaz Ahmed with a classic googly. His debut figures placed him among the select few Indian bowlers to take a five-wicket haul on debut.
However, fate dealt him a cruel hand. After just one more Test—against England—where he bowled admirably despite carrying an injury, he was inexplicably dropped and never played for India again. The reason, as Kumar later revealed, was a tactical decision by captain Nari Contractor, who wanted to “reserve” the leg-spinner for a future match—a match that never came. This abrupt end remains one of Indian cricket’s enduring selection mysteries.
Despite his short international career, Kumar’s influence on Indian cricket is profound. He was a classical leg-spinner—relying on basics, flight, and subtle variations. His accuracy was legendary; Sir Garfield Sobers once remarked on Kumar’s uncanny ability to land the ball on a perfect length, even decades after retirement.
His partnership with Venkataraghavan wasn’t just tactical—it was based on mutual respect, understanding, and clinical planning. Together, they set traps for batsmen, often orchestrating dismissals with strategic precision.
Off the field, Kumar’s love for the game never waned. Well into his eighties, he continued to demonstrate leg-spin to young cricketers, his enthusiasm undimmed. He believed cricket should be played with passion and joy, never dwelling on missed opportunities.
VV Kumar’s story is one of brilliance, resilience, and unfulfilled potential at the international level. Yet, his legacy is firmly etched in the annals of Indian domestic cricket, where he stands tall as a pioneer and master of leg-spin. His life reminds us that greatness is not always measured in international caps, but in the indelible impact one leaves on the game and on those who follow.
Even today, Kumar’s name evokes admiration among cricket connoisseurs—a tribute to a true craftsman who spun magic with every ball.
