S. Venkataraghavan achieved a remarkable and rare feat in Test cricket when he dismissed all 11 batsmen in a match against New Zealand during the 1964-65 Test series in Delhi. This achievement made him only the second bowler in history to dismiss all 11 batsmen in a single Test match, following Jim Laker of England, who had accomplished this feat earlier.
Match: India vs New Zealand
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Year: 1964-65
Dismissals: 12 for 152 (12 wickets in the match)
First Innings: 8 for 70
Second Innings: 4 for 82
Unique Feat: Venkataraghavan dismissed all 11 batsmen in the match, which was a phenomenal achievement in Test cricket at the time. This also made him the second bowler in history after Jim Laker to accomplish this feat.
Historical Significance: When Venkataraghavan achieved this feat in 1964-65, it was still a rarity in cricket. Jim Laker, an English off-spinner, had been the first to do so in 1956 against Australia at Old Trafford. Venkataraghavan became the second bowler to achieve this and set the stage for others.
Mastery of the Art: Venkataraghavan’s performance was a clear display of his skill as a bowler. Taking 12 wickets in a match, especially dismissing all 11 batsmen, is a testament to his precision, control, and ability to exploit the conditions, which, in this case, seemed to suit his style of bowling.
Rare Feat: This record is one of the most remarkable in cricket history. Even today, only a handful of bowlers have managed to dismiss all 11 batsmen in a Test match, making it an extremely rare and special achievement.
Venkataraghavan was an off-spin bowler known for his flight, accuracy, and consistency. His feat against New Zealand in 1964-65 remains one of the highlights of his career.
As of today, only a few bowlers have managed to join this elite list. After Venkataraghavan, Rangachari Srikanth (India), Anil Kumble (India), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Shane Warne (Australia), and Jim Laker have all been part of this select group of bowlers who dismissed all 11 batsmen in a Test match.
Jim Laker (England) – vs Australia, 1956
S. Venkataraghavan (India) – vs New Zealand, 1964-65
Rangachari Srikanth (India) – vs Sri Lanka, 1994
Anil Kumble (India) – vs Pakistan, 1999
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – vs New Zealand, 2001
Shane Warne (Australia) – vs England, 1994
S. Venkataraghavan’s 1964-65 performance remains a special part of cricket history, as it highlights not only his individual brilliance but also the evolving legacy of India’s spin bowling tradition.
