Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, born in 1959, walked out to bat with the demeanor of a man who had just been told the match was a 10-over affair. In an era of cautious Indian openers, 'Cheeka' was a revolution at the crease. His chaotic, attacking style, full of slashes, hooks, and unorthodox flourishes, often gave India explosive starts when they were least expected. His crowning moment was the 1983 World Cup final, where his 38 off 57 balls against a menacing West Indies attack was the top score in a low-scoring match that India famously won. Later, he captained India on a tumultuous tour of Pakistan and, in a second act, served as the chief selector who helped build the squad that won the 2011 World Cup. His career was a testament to the impact of sheer intent.