On This Day in 1972: The One-Handed Indian Bowler Who Struck Fear in Batsmen, His Record Still Unbroken

December 23 is etched in Indian cricket history for the extraordinary performance of leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, a member of India’s legendary spin quartet. Afflicted by polio in his right arm as a child, Chandrasekhar turned his physical limitation into a unique bowling weapon, combining spin with unexpected pace, leaving the world’s best batsmen bewildered.

8 Wickets Against England at Feroz Shah Kotla
On December 23, 1972, during the third day of the first Test against England at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla, India found itself struggling at 173 in the first innings. Chandrasekhar’s brilliance shone through as he bowled 41.5 overs for just 79 runs, claiming 8 wickets. This remains his career-best performance in a Test innings, placing him among the elite bowlers with eight wickets in a single innings.

India Lost the Match, But Chandrasekhar’s Magic Endured
Despite his heroics, England chased down the target and won the match. However, Chandrasekhar continued his spellbinding form throughout the series, helping India win the remaining Tests. India clinched the series 2-1, with Chandrasekhar taking 35 wickets, setting a record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single Test series—a mark no Indian spinner, including Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, or Harbhajan Singh, has surpassed.

Master of Speed Over Flight
Chandrasekhar’s leg-spin style was unconventional; he relied more on speed and sharp turn than traditional flight, creating devastating results. His mastery brought historic victories for India, including the first series win in England in 1971 at The Oval, where he took 6 wickets for 38 runs, and India’s first Test win in Australia in 1978, claiming 12 wickets for 104 runs in Melbourne.

Career Highlights

• Played 58 Tests, taking 242 wickets at an economy rate of 2.70.
• Claimed five wickets in an innings 16 times and ten wickets in a match twice.
• Most wickets against England: 95 in 23 Tests; against West Indies: 65 in 15 Tests.

Chandrasekhar’s extraordinary journey from a polio-affected childhood to becoming one of India’s most feared spinners remains an inspiring chapter in cricket history. His records, particularly the 35 wickets in a single series, continue to stand tall in the annals of Indian cricket.