Good cricketers come in different categories. Some are naturally gifted, and enjoy being flamboyant with their skills at every possible opp...
Good cricketers come in different categories. Some are naturally gifted, and enjoy being flamboyant with their skills at every possible opportunity. Some are easy-go-lucky, not bothered (at least on the outside) by success or failure. Some go under the radar for the most part, but suddenly when the situation is dire, they step up and thrive under pressure. Regarded as crisis men by their teammates and fans, some players just had the knack to steady a rocking ship.
One such Indian cricketer was S Badrinath. Tamil Nadu fans and Chennai Super Kings’ legion of followers can tell you stories about Badrinath’s performance in a crisis situation for the sides he has played over the years. For a batsman who was considered to be old-fashioned, textbook long-format, he performed rescue acts even in the T20 format. It is for this reason that he remembers being called ‘the umbrella man’ by commentator Harsha Bhogle. It is for this reason that he remembers fondly winning the player of the match in his first and only T20I for India, when he scored 43 with India struggling at 56/4 to walk away with the player of the match award.
“I remember Harsha named me umbrella man,” Badrinath said in an interaction with...
