Vikram Rathour is a former Indian cricketer who had a promising start to his career but ultimately failed to make a significant impact at the international level. Born on March 26, 1969, in Chandigarh, India, Rathour was known for his plucky and fluent batting style, as well as his ability to drive the ball with ease.
Rathour made his mark in domestic cricket playing for his home state Punjab. In the early 1990s, he emerged as the backbone of Punjab’s batting lineup, showcasing his skills and becoming a key player for the team. His impressive performances caught the attention of the national selectors, who gave him an opportunity to tour England with the Indian cricket team in 1996.
During the tour, Rathour displayed great form in the tour games, accumulating an impressive total of 759 runs at an average of 58.38. He even scored a magnificent unbeaten 165 against Worcestershire. Additionally, he made a valuable contribution in the third One Day International at Old Trafford, scoring a fifty. However, when it came to Test matches, Rathour struggled to replicate his domestic success. In four innings, his highest score was only 20, and he consistently fell victim to the away-swinging ball, exposing weaknesses in his technique.
Despite his lackluster Test performances, Rathour was given another opportunity in the one-off Test against Australia, but his fortunes did not change. As a result, he was subsequently dropped from the squad for the home series against South Africa. Rathour, however, managed to secure a place in the team for the return series in South Africa. Just like in England, he scored three fifties and a century in the provincial games. Unfortunately, he struggled against the pace of Allan Donald in the two Tests he played, although he did contribute a useful 44 at the Wanderers, helping India achieve their highest opening stand of the series.
After his disappointing performances against South Africa, Rathour’s international career came to an end. Despite continuing to excel in domestic cricket, he was never given another chance at the international level. Following his retirement from playing, Rathour spent seven years living in England before returning to his home state to coach Punjab. His contributions as a coach did not go unnoticed, and in September 2012, he was appointed as an Indian national selector.
In his cricketing journey, Rathour may have fallen short of his potential as an international cricketer, but his domestic achievements and subsequent transition into coaching reflect his passion and dedication for the sport. While his international career may have been cut short, Rathour’s contributions to the game both on and off the field continue to be recognized.
