Vakkadai Biksheswaran Chandrasekhar, commonly known as VB Chandrasekhar, was an Indian cricketer known for his daring approach and swashbuckling batting style. Born on April 17, 1961, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Chandrasekhar made a name for himself as a hard-hitting opening batsman.
During his early years, Chandrasekhar played alongside Kris Srikkanth for Tamil Nadu. Despite Srikkanth’s dominant batting, Chandrasekhar managed to match his partner’s aggressive approach and sometimes even outperformed him on the field. In the Irani Trophy match against the Rest of India in 1988-89, Chandrasekhar showcased his talent by reaching his century in just 56 balls, a record as the fastest hundred in first-class cricket by an Indian at the time. This outstanding performance brought him into the limelight and earned him a place in the Indian team for the one-day internationals against New Zealand.
Although Chandrasekhar experienced moderate success in the international arena, his career took a positive turn during the 1989-90 season. With two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, he managed to secure his position in the national side, which toured New Zealand in early 1990. In the first-class games, he started strong with scores of 92 and 71. However, his hopes were dashed when he was overlooked in favor of Dilip Vengsarkar after Navjot Singh Sidhu’s injury. This setback deeply affected Chandrasekhar’s spirit, and he struggled to regain his form.
Despite the disappointment on the international stage, Chandrasekhar became a dependable asset for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy. He was a key contributor to the state’s unexpected victory in 1987-88, amassing 551 runs during the season. In 1991-92, he scored an impressive 572 runs and also captained the Tamil Nadu team for a period. Later in his career, Chandrasekhar joined Goa as a professional and continued to make significant contributions.
By the time Chandrasekhar retired in the late 1990s, he had amassed a total of 3971 runs in the national competition, with an impressive average of 41.80. One of his most notable innings was the unbeaten 237 he scored for Goa against Kerala. His achievements on the field and his dedication to the sport have made him a respected figure in Indian cricket.
After retiring from active play, Chandrasekhar decided to share his knowledge and experience by establishing a well-organized cricket academy in Chennai. Through his coaching academy, he has helped nurture young talent and guide aspiring cricketers towards success.
Vakkadai Biksheswaran Chandrasekhar’s career may have been overshadowed by some missed opportunities at the international level, but his fearless batting style and immense contribution to domestic cricket make him a legend in the eyes of many. His journey in the sport serves as a testament to the highs and lows of a professional cricketing career.