1966-67, Chandu Borde showed sheer fortitude against might West Indies: Part 2

Part 1

He didn't exactly start his Test career on a bright note and was even dropped for the third Test against West Indies in Kolkata. He made a welcome return to the side in Madras. It was the turning point of his career as he followed it up with a century in the final Test of that series in Delhi. To put the icing on the cake, he composed a brilliant knock of 96 in the second innings.

Borde then was in prime form during the series against England in 1961-62. He cracked 314 runs at an average of 44.85 and picked up 16 wickets at 28.75. He wasn't at his best during the home series against West Indies, but came back to form when England again arrived on the shores of India in 1963-64. He even picked up his first and only five-wicket haul during that series.

In the second Test of the 1964-65 series against Australia in Mumbai then, Borde held his nerve by chipping in with a crucial 30 not out to take India to a nerve-wracking win by two wickets. Remember, he was batting at No. 9 in that game. Borde put up consistent performances against New Zealand in 1965.

In 1966-67, he showed fortitude to stand up to West indies' famed bowling line-up. He scored 345 runs and essayed a couple of centuries. In the third Test in Chennai, when he made a century, a bumper from the fiery Griffith just brushed his hair and he was on 96 then. It was said to be a vicious bouncer and Borde was lucky that he wasn't hurt.

Unfortunately, barring the series against New Zealand in in 1967-68, Borde soon lost his way and played his final match against Australia in Mumbai in 1969-70. Borde was  the chairman of the selection committee twice. He was the manager of the Indian team when Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut in Pakistan in 1989. He also served as the manager of the Indian unit that won a Test series in England in 2007.