The tall statured , Pochiah Krishnamurthy, born on July 12, in 1947, functioned as a responsible wicket-keeper to the Indian team.
Krishnamurthy was a right-hand batsman and a legbreak bowler. This peaceful player of Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, relished the fast bowling attacks approaching him, when he batted.
He had represented 5 Tests for India, against West Indies, in 1970-71. He entered the time, primarily , to substitute Farokh Engineer. He had featured in an One-Day International too.
He was also the reserve keeper for the team during the next summer`s expedition of England. He also joined the team after four years in New Zealand and West Indies.
Krishnamurthy served Hyderabad all through the entire 1970s. He was comfortable while batting for Hyderabad in every order. Almost a hundred times, he had opened for Hyderabad, and again as the eleventh batsman. He had sent 218 opponent players out of the crease in 108 first-class matches. Among these, 68 were stumpings, a record achievement in all respects.
Pallemoni Krishnamurthy, died on January 28, 1999, aged 51. Pochiah Krishnamurthy was a tall wicket keeper who enjoyed standing up even to fast bowlers, and played five Tests for India against West Indies in 1970-71 when Farokh Engineer was unavailable.
He participated in all five matches in that Caribbean series. This time India won a historic triumph over the powerful West Indies. However, in nine-first class matches
Krishnamurthy made 24 dismissals. He continued to play first-class cricket until the end of the 70s and by the time he retired, he had made 218 dismissals, 150 of them caught.
He was also reserve keeper on the following summer`s tour of England, and four years later in New Zealand and West Indies. Krishnamurthy played for Hyderabad throughout the 1970s, batting in every position and sharing hundred stands both as an opener and as a No. 11. He made his Ranji debut, at the tender age of 17. In nine-first class matches Krishnamurthy generated 24 dismissals.
His 218 victims in 108 first-class matches included 68 stumpings, a proportion that was by then already unthinkable anywhere outside India. Again his crowning glory of 150 catches, does deserve mention.
Krishnamurthy`s hallmark was definitely his rare attribute of humility and simplicity. He religiously observed his duties with an unflinching commitment. Even at the pinnacle of perfection, he would never indulge in self-exhibition, but would silently rejoice in his success. This man had as if embraced the mantra of "Plain living and High thinking" .
28th January,1999, Pochiah Krishnamurthy, passed away, untimely. He was only , 51 years then. Although he is physically no more available, but his memories as the humble hero of Indian cricket, will continue to thrive in the reminiscences of his fellow Indians.
