Viswanath (sixth from left) with members of the Karnataka Sangha at Ramada Hotel yesterday. On his right is Sangha president Arun Kumar

Former Indian cricketer Sadanand Vishwanath has lauded the efforts being made by the region’s Indian expatriates to take the game beyond the Indian sub-continent, especially in the GCC states.

Vishwanath was speaking to Gulf Times. The cricketer, who is currently a nationally rated umpire, was on a two-day visit to Doha at the invitation of expatriate forum Karnataka Sangha.

He was the chief guest at the final of the 2nd annual cricket tournament organised by the Sangha at Old Ideal Indian School grounds.

Viswanath said he felt that Indian expatriates, including those living in Qatar, had played a great role in popularising cricket among a considerably large number of non-Indian residents of the region.

On India’s chances in the World Cup cricket starting later this month, the ex-cricketer said: “India start as overwhelming favourites”.

The present generation is looking forward to an Indian triumph which lovers of the game richly deserve, said Viswanath. “Never before in a World Cup, has India been considered favourites and hence this time the tag has put a lot of pressure on our players, ” said Viswanath.

“When India won the world Cup for the first and only time in 1983, we were considered underdogs and perhaps the only top level cricketer who considered India as dark horses was former Australian captain Kim Hughes. Ultimately, his prediction turned out to be true,” recollected Viswanath.