Kerala cricketer K. Jayaram proved that with natural skills alone, match-winning performances are possible against star studded opponents

By K.R. Nayar

Former Kerala captain and star batsman K. Jayaram, who left top cricketers in awe with his performances, tragically passed away on Saturday (July 15). He was a cricketer who demonstrated that circumstances cannot prevent one from achieving greatness. During my growing up days, I always wanted to get close to him and talk to him. He was a batsman who impressed me greatly through his powerful performances for Kerala, even against the toughest of bowling attacks featuring international stars. I had never imagined that one day I would get the opportunity to get a picture with him, that too with my arm around him.

 

Posing with K. Jayaram (left)

There are many reasons as to why I held this batsman in such high regard despite his lack of international cricket experience. It is said that during the 1986-87 Ranji Trophy season, when Jayaram scored a century against Karnataka, the legendary G. R. Vishwanath, impressed by his knock, had walked up to him from the slips to congratulate him. It was a noteworthy achievement that deserved recognition from such a renowned Indian batsman. Jayaram scored four centuries in just five matches that season.

 

When he consistently piled up runs against formidable teams, I often wondered how he had managed to do it, considering the limited facilities available in Kerala those days.  Like Sunil Gavaskar, who instilled the belief in Indians that our countrymen can break world records, Jayaram proved that opponents don't matter when one has the determination to perform.  And that is why I value that picture with him so much.  I had the privilege of being one of his Good Morning friends on WhatsApp, and he always took the time to leave an appreciative note on whatever I posted to him.

 

During his tenure as captain of the Kerala team, I had the opportunity to interact with him closely since I was the manager of the team's net practice facilities in Trivandrum. He would always discuss his training plans and requirements before every practice session. When he played a remarkable innings in the Jacob Trophy Kerala Zonal matches, I was fortunate to observe him closely since I was officiating his matches as a Kerala state panel umpire.

 

The talented Kerala team led by S. Ramesh  

I vividly remember Jayaram's series of four centuries in a season because it coincided with another exceptional performance by my college teammate S. Santosh, with whom I grew up playing cricket. When Jayaram scored his first century of the season, Santosh achieved his maiden Ranji Trophy century against Goa. However, when Jayaram scored his third century of the season against Andhra Pradesh, Santosh fell short of reaching the milestone. Although there were talks of Jayaram being considered for India when he scored his century against Karnataka, unfortunately that did not materialize. Despite his bat doing the talking, the selectors were not willing to listen and offer him an opportunity.

K. Jayaram with S. Santosh 

Another quality that impressed me about Jayaram was his humility. He was hugely respected in cricket circles and he reciprocated that respect in return. He was soft-spoken and well-behaved, and many times I wish cricketers would conduct themselves similarly. He was a player who possessed immense natural talent, but fate placed him in the wrong environment. Instead of representing India at the international level, he ended up scoring five centuries and ten half-centuries at a time when Kerala struggled to win matches. He has left an indelible mark, a belief in everyone that star studded opponents can never stop you from performing well.