Former Karnataka all-rounder Bharamiah Vijayakrishna passes away at 71

Former Karnataka cricketer Bharamiah Vijayakrishna has sadly passed away on 17 June 2021, at the age of 71. It has been reported that he passed away as a result of a heart attack. He was a fantastic all-rounder for his state team and played an instrumental role in shaping Karnataka cricket during the 1970s and 1980s. 

Vijayakrishna’s cricket career lasted for slightly more than 15 years, starting with his debut for Karnataka in the 1968-69 domestic season. He was a left-handed batsman and a left-arm orthodox spinner, much like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Vijayakrishna was a terrific all-rounder with the ability to play crucial roles for his team when they required him the most. 

He started his career in a quite magnificent fashion when he picked up three wickets against Hyderabad on his first-class debut during the 1968-69 Ranji Trophy. He then picked up six scalps against Madras in the very next match. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a lot of chances for Karnataka during his initial days as he had to warm benches whenever national team spinners, B. S. Chandrasekhar and Erapalli Prasanna were available for selection. 

When Bharamiah Vijayakrishna turned out to be too much for West Indies

One of his memorable knocks came during the Quarterfinal of the Ranji Trophy 1971-72 when Karnataka was playing Rajasthan. Despite having a severe ankle injury, he managed to bat through, scoring 71 runs. He was later carried all the way to the dressing room, as he was not able to walk. 

One of Karnataka’s finest cricketers B Vijayakrishna passed away this morning. He was 71. He had suffered a heart attack on Wednesday. A genial man of few words and tall deeds.. he was an instrumental man in the building of Karnataka cricket in the 1970s & 1980s. pic.twitter.com/AHmCodR9kT

— Manuja (@manujaveerappa) June 17, 2021

One of the pivotal moments of his career came in the 1975-76 season when he was dropped for the first four matches, because of his ‘straightforwardness and frank expression of views.’ When he was finally brought back into the side for the Quarterfinal against Maharashtra, he scored 66 in the first innings and an unbeaten 102 in the second innings. His second innings knock was scored in just 138 minutes, which also gave him the record for the fastest century that season. 

One of his most memorable efforts came against West Indies in 1978-79 when the touring team played one of the practice matches against Karnataka. In that match, Vijayakrishna picked up nine wickets, with a six-for in the first innings, and helped his side to a famous win. He retired after helping Karnataka win the Ranji Trophy 1982-83 against Bombay in the final. He was part of Karnataka’s all three Ranji wins (1973-74, 1977-78, and 1982-83) until his retirement.