CricInfo hosted a chat with one of the most respected International Umpires S Venkataraghavan, on 22nd May.

The International career of Venkat, who remained very fit throughout his playing days, lasted from February 1965 to September 1983, one of the longest for an Indian player. Not yet out of his teens when he made his Test debut, Venkat made an immediate impact on the international arena by taking 21 wickets in four Tests against New Zealand including a match haul of 12 wickets in the final game at New Delhi.

One of the highlights of his career was a haul of 5-95 in the West Indies second innings at Port of Spain in 1970-71 that lifted India to their first Test win in the Caribbean. He led India in the first two World Cup competitions and also on the tour of England in 1979. Venkat was also an excellent close-in fielder. He retired from first class cricket in 1985 after taking the second biggest haul of wickets in the Ranji Trophy - 530. In retirement, Venkat has kept in close touch with the game either as an administrator, manager of touring Indian teams and now as a respected international umpire. He is also currently a committee member of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.