Vikrama Raju, the umpire who officiated the famous tied Test match between India and Australia in 1986, passed away at the age of 86 in Mysuru. He died on Saturday after a brief illness.
A Life of Dual Passions
Raju worked with Deccan Herald and Prajavani in the circulation department for over three decades. Alongside his day job, he pursued his passion for umpiring, rising to officiate at the highest level of the sport.
The Historic Tied Test
The tied Test in Madras (now Chennai) in September 1986 was only the second tied Test in cricket history. Raju was one of the on-field umpires, alongside Khizer Hayat of Pakistan. The match saw India and Australia finish with identical scores, a rare and dramatic outcome.
Raju's calm demeanor and accurate decision-making earned him respect from players and officials. He officiated in 4 Test matches and 11 One Day Internationals between 1985 and 1987.
Long Association with Newspapers
Born in Mysuru, Raju joined Deccan Herald in the 1950s and retired in the 1990s. Colleagues remember him as a dedicated employee who balanced his newspaper career with cricket umpiring commitments.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. The cricket fraternity and newspaper industry mourn his loss, remembering him as a gentleman who served both fields with distinction.
