V Vikramraju passed away on June 7 at the age of 92. The famous Indian cricket umpire died in Mysuru after he suffered a fall at his home, which caused internal bleeding. He is a legendary figure in cricket history because he officiated the second tied Test match ever played.
The cricketing world remembers him most for his controversial decision in 1986. During that match in Chennai, he gave India’s last batsman out leg before wicket (LBW). This decision ended the match with both teams having the same number of runs. Consequently, the game became only the second tie in nearly 150 years of Test cricket.
The Historic 1986 Tied Test in Chennai
India and Australia played at MA Chidambaram Stadium from 18 to 22 September 1986. It is widely considered one of the most exciting games ever played. Australia batted first and scored a massive 574 runs. Dean Jones played a famous innings of 210 runs during this time.
However, the weather was extremely difficult for the players. Temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius with very high humidity. Dean Jones became so sick from the heat that he had to go to the hospital after his innings. Meanwhile, India fought back hard throughout the five days.
Captain Kapil Dev played a brilliant 119 runs to keep India in the game. India had a target of 348 in the second innings. They needed just one run to win going into the final over.
The Controversial Decision
The Australian bowler Greg Matthews bowled the final over of the match. At that moment, Ravi Shastri and Maninder Singh were the last two batsmen for India. On the second ball of the over, Raju made the decision that would define his entire career.
The ball hit Maninder Singh’s pad, and the Australian players shouted for an LBW. Vikramraju immediately raised his finger to signal that the batsman was out. This call meant India was all out for 347 runs. The match ended in a historic tie with the scores level.
That decision instantly caused an argument. Maninder Singh said the ball hit his bat before it hit his leg. Ravi Shastri, who was standing at the other end, also believed it was not out. Despite the protests, Raju never changed his mind about the call.
He later told reporters that he was completely confident in his decision. He stated that the bat was nowhere near the ball. Furthermore, Greg Matthews later called Raju “the bravest umpire on earth” for making such a tough call under pressure.
Career and Life Beyond the 1986 Test
V Vikramraju had a long career in cricket, though it was relatively modest in terms of international matches. He began umpiring in the 1950s in local leagues in Bengaluru. He eventually moved up to first-class cricket in 1959.
Aside from his cricket work, Raju worked for over 30 years in the circulation department of the Deccan Herald and Prajavani newspapers.
The Impact of the “Raised Finger”
The 1986 decision had a lasting effect on Raju’s career. He faced heavy criticism from Indian fans and the cricket board. Sadly, he never officiated another Test match after that day in Chennai. Many people believe he was made a “scapegoat” because India did not win the match.
Regardless of the controversy, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) praised his service. They noted that he served the game with great integrity and distinction for many years. Even in retirement, he loved talking about cricket and thinking about that famous afternoon in 1986.
Raju lived in Bengaluru in his later years before moving to Mysuru. He continued to serve as a match referee in domestic competitions such as the Karnataka Premier League. Even at the age of 92, his love for the game never faded.
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