SUPERMAN. IN FLESH AND BLOOD.

Sounds weird, isn't it? The script seems to be straight out of a comic book, where our action hero is a perfect nemesis to all his opponents. Only this time, he's real. In flesh and blood. And ruled the cricketing world since his debut way back in 1974. 

Venue, Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The protagonist, Issac Vivian Alexander Richards. Popularly known as 'King Viv' to his fans across the globe.

Though his debut for his national side, West Indies, didn't create any flutter in the cricketing world; when the team travelled to Delhi for the second test, that's when the 'King' set the ground ablaze with his pyrotechnics. He notched up an impressive unbeaten 192, and announced his arrival to the cricketing world. 

Born in the tiny island of Antigua, he had cricket in his blood. His late father, Malcolm, was a fast bowler, who represented the island. But his son chose to swing his arm with his most favourite weapon: The cricket bat. Using it more like a scythe, than a regular cricket bat.

Always playing on the 'front foot', he intimidated his opponents from the moment he walked out on the field, swaying his arms, chewing a gum, and a walk that many labelled as 'swagger'. It didn't matter what the scoreboard read, what mattered was that he was there to change the complexion of the game. It was as though the stage was set for the 'King' to perform. 

And talking of performances, his career has many of those match winning knocks that made him a part of the 'All-time Greats'. He scored when it mattered the most. Emerging like a Superman amongst a sea of mortals. 

Cut back to 1976, English summer. Tony Greig had just made an infamous remark. He said, he would make the touring West Indian team 'grovel'. A remark that helped 'inspire' Viv to deliver a knock out blow to the hapless English side. It was, as though an injured lion was out for a kill. Viv amassed 829 runs in that series, with a career best of 291 in the Oval Test. That year saw him plunder over 1710 runs at an average of 90.00, a tally that stood as a world record for most number of runs in a calendar year for over 30 years.

England seemed to be his favourite opponent. Maybe it had something to do with the British rule over the Caribbean. Viv saved his best against them. The finals of the second World Cup in 1979. The venue, the hallowed turf of Lords. Viv went on to score a remarkable match winning knock of 138* (11 fours, 3 sixes). Though his colleague, Collis King, did enthrall the crowd with a splendid 86, it was Viv's majestic knock that ensured the West Indies reached a respectable total. But the highlight of that knock was the last ball six over square leg off Hendrick, a shot which only the 'King' could pull off. 

Two years later, when his home island hosted its first test (coincidentally against England), Viv celebrated the occasion with a perfect century. A big event for the island, now that it was on the cricketing map.

May 31, 1984. Old Trafford, Manchester. The first one dayer between West Indies and England, the teams battling for the Texaco Trophy. On a seaming wicket, the English bowlers drew first blood. One saw the West Indian batsmen falling like a pack of cards. With the likes of Greenidge, Haynes, Lloyd falling cheaply, the responsibility to resurrect the side lay on the able shoulders of Viv. And how he rose to the occasion.  The English bowlers were completely annihilated that afternoon. Viv went on to score an unbeaten 189 off just 170 deliveries, the then highest score in ODIs, until it was eclipsed by Saeed Anwar in 1997.  Viv had a rollicking 106-run last wicket partnership with Michael Holding, which helped the West indies reach 272 in 55 overs. He hit the ball all around the park, sparing none of the bowlers. Botham and Willis were made to look like amateurs, as Viv went about his task. 

Be it ODIs or Tests, it was Viv's wont to deliver when it really mattered. David Gower led his team to the Caribbean for a 5-match Test series, in 1986. Not surprising, the home side won the first four tests and they had to win the fifth and final test in Antigua to make a 5-0 Blackwash.So someone had to put his foot on the accelerator to help the home side score quickly and enable the intimidating West Indian bowlers to go for the kill. And who better than the home skipper himself. Viv went on to score the fastest century in Tests, off just 56 balls (110* off 58). Richards came to the crease shortly before tea, and reached his half century in 35 balls soon after the interval.Then he really let loose. Sixes flew in all directions: one smashed a bottle of rum in the grandstand, another flew out of the ground into the adjacent prison. But the most memorable feature of his innings was the way he walked off at the end. It was Caesar returning to Rome after his greatest triumph.

Records seem to be at the mercy of Richards. He is the first player to have scored over 6000 runs and taken over 100 wickets in ODIs. As a captain, he never lost a series. And with over 36000 runs and 114 tons in first-class cricket, he ruled the cricketing world like a true Monarch.  

Finally, in 1991, Richards bid adieu to Test cricket.  The King renounced his throne ever since. And we've witnessed many Princes who have adorned the cricket world. But there was only one true 'King', the 'Superman' of cricket.