Sadashiv Iyer

Cricket runs in Sadashiv Iyer's blood. His grandfather and father were both cricketers, and Sadashiv learned his initial cricket at home before being groomed further at Shivaji Park and in the Kanga League. He was selected to represent the Nagpur university team in 1992-93 as wicket-keeper/opener; in very little time, he made his first-class debut for Vidarbha against Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur. It was a good beginning, for Sadashiv came up with a match-saving 89 in the second innings.

Sadashiv Iyer is also the holder of two first-class wicket- keeping records, a unique achievement. Against Madhya Pradesh at Durg, Bhilai, on January 5 1995, Sadashiv claimed a record six dismissals (one catch and five stumpings). Two years later, Sadashiv took seven catches in a Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh at Allahabad; not only was this a Ranji record, but it also equalled Sunil Benjamin's Duleep record from 1973-74.

Sadashiv, employed with India Cements, also helped that team win the Benson and Hedges Cricket Tournament at Malaysia in 1995. A tidy wicket-keeper and more-than-useful bat, Sadashiv has carried on his family's cricketing banner successfully.