Erapalli Prasanna, the legendary Indian off-spin bowler, recently graced an evening chat show in Bangalore, where he reminisced about Karnataka’s historic 1973-74 Ranji Trophy victory and shared his candid thoughts on T20 cricket.
Prasanna, now 83, regaled the audience with his memories as captain of that championship-winning side, recalling the excitement and challenges of that era. He also expressed his reservations about T20 cricket, emphasizing that it prioritizes entertainment over the traditional skills of the game.
Despite having penned his autobiography in 1977, Prasanna still had much to share, both within and beyond the scope of his book. Joining him on stage were historian Ramachandra Guha, sports writers Suresh Menon and Sharda Ugra, who expertly drew out Prasanna’s insights.
The conversation touched upon other Karnataka cricketing greats, including Syed Kirmani and Javagal Srinath, who Prasanna lauded for their exceptional achievements. He praised Kirmani as India’s finest wicketkeeper, highlighting his ability to anticipate the unpredictable bowling of B.S. Chandrasekhar. Srinath, he said, was perhaps India’s best fast bowler, but unfortunately did not receive the same recognition as Kapil Dev.
Prasanna also spoke about the importance of support staff in modern cricket, recalling his own experiences as manager of the victorious Indian team on their tour of Australia in 1985. He emphasized the need for physical fitness support, net bowlers, and other resources to enhance player performance.
The evening concluded with a fitting tribute from Ian Chappell, who recalled an encounter between Prasanna and Shane Warne in Jaipur during the 1996 World Cup. Chappell overheard Prasanna complimenting Warne on his talent, prompting Warne to ask, “Who is this little man giving me this compliment?” Chappell replied, “Shane, that is Erapalli Prasanna—the greatest spin bowler of my generation.”
Prasanna’s presence and insights captivated the Bangalore audience, providing a rare opportunity to hear from one of the true legends of Indian cricket.
