A pocket-sized powerhouse, Chetan Sharma made up for his lack of height and build with a good action and thrust from the shoulders at the point of delivery. He made his international debut at 17 and a year later, aged 18 years, 288 days, played his first Test. He made it memorable by bowling Mohsin Khan with his fifth ball - the third Indian to take a wicket in his first over in Test cricket. He remained Kapil Dev's able partner for almost five years. Though the experts were of the view that he would not last long because of his slight physique, Chetan proved them wrong by some lion-hearted performances. He first gave notice when he took 14 wickets in three Tests in Sri Lanka in 1985, including his first five wicket haul. He did even better in England in 1986 when he took 16 wickets in two Tests, including the first ten-wicket haul by an Indian bowler in that country. Against the West Indies in 1987-88, he had his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests at New Delhi. He played his last Test in the West Indies in 1989 but continued to represent India in one day internationals until 1994-95. Chetan was also a more than useful tailend batsman, as he proved by holding out against McDermott, Hughes and Reid for over two hours in making 54 when sent in as a nightwatchman against Australia in 1985, or when hitting an exhilerating 101 not out when he was promoted to No. 4 against England in the MRF World Series match in 1989. In retirement, Chetan has found success as a popular TV commentator.
Partab Ramchand

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