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Krishnamachari Srikkanth Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 December 1959

Age65 Years

BirthplaceE. V. Kalyani Nursing home, Mylapore, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India

ProfessionCricketer (Batter)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseVidya Srikanth

FamilySon - Anirudha Srikkanth; Son - Adithyaa Srikkanth; Father - C.R. Krishnamachari; Mother - Indira Krishnamachari; Brother - Krishnamachari Srinath; Sister - Srekala Bharath

Krishnamachari Srikkanth Biography

Krishnamachari Srikkanth is a former Indian opening batter known for aggressive strokeplay who represented India between 1981 and 1992. A member of the 198

Early life and background

Krishnamachari Srikkanth was born on 21 December 1959 in Mylapore, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. Raised in Chennai, he attended Vidhya Sagar Play School, Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School and St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School before studying at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College and the College of Engineering, Guindy. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering.

Srikkanth grew up playing cricket from a young age and developed his game without a formal personal coach in his early years. While still at school he took part in local coaching camps, including one conducted by Mushtaq Ali, and soon progressed through the local and state ranks to represent Tamil Nadu and South Zone domestically.

Career

Srikkanth made his international debut for India in November 1981, appearing first in a One Day International and then in Test cricket against England. Known for a bold, attacking approach at the top of the order, he became one of India’s pioneering hard-hitting openers in both Tests and ODIs. His Test career ran to 43 matches, in which he scored 2,062 runs including two centuries and a highest score of 123. In limited-overs cricket he played 146 ODIs, scoring 4,091 runs with four centuries and a top score of 123, finishing his playing days with a reputation for brisk scoring and an engaging batting style.

Srikkanth played a prominent role in India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup campaign and was India’s top scorer in the final, contributing 38 runs in the victorious match. He also finished as one of India’s leading run-getters in the 1983 tournament overall. In the mid-1980s he again stood out for India in the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket, finishing as his side’s highest scorer in that event and helping India secure the title.

He achieved several notable individual records: he was the second international cricketer to combine a fifty and a five-wicket haul in the same match, and he shares the record for most catches by a fielder in a single Test inning. He was the first Indian batsman to be dismissed on 99 in an ODI.

Srikkanth captained India in 1989 and led the side on the Pakistan tour where the Test series ended in draws, but a dip in form led to him being dropped afterward. He returned for the 1991–92 tour of Australia but struggled with the bat and retired from international cricket following the 1992 World Cup and the subsequent Australian tour. At the time of his retirement he held the record for most ODI runs for India.

Post-playing career

After retiring as a player, Srikkanth remained involved in cricket in various roles. He served briefly as coach of India A, worked extensively as a television commentator and expert analyst, and held administrative and ambassadorial positions in the Indian Premier League. In February 2008 he was named brand ambassador for the Chennai Super Kings franchise. Later that year he was appointed chief selector of the Indian national side, a role he held until 2012. In December 2012 he was named ambassador for the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise. He has also worked as a commentator for Star Sports Tamil and in January 2020 was included as a member of the panel of the All India Council of Sports (AICS).

Public profile

Srikkanth earned the nickname "Cheeka" during his career and is remembered for an entertaining, crowd-pleasing batting style that divided opinion but won admiration from peers and fans. Teammates and opponents have described him as a cheerful, encouraging team-mate with an instinct for aggressive strokeplay. He has spoken openly about personal rituals he followed before going out to bat and has acknowledged an orthodox, religious upbringing.

In recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, he was awarded the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India in 2020.

Personal life

Srikkanth married Vidya Srikanth on 30 March 1983. The couple have two sons: Anirudha Srikkanth, who played domestic cricket, and Adithyaa Srikkanth, who works in business. He is the son of C.R. Krishnamachari and Indira Krishnamachari, and he has a brother, Krishnamachari Srinath, and a sister, Srekala Bharath.

Latest updates

His life and role in India’s 1983 World Cup victory were depicted in the 2021 Hindi film ’83, in which actor Jiiva portrayed Srikkanth. He continues to be active in broadcasting and maintains a visible presence in Indian cricket through occasional administrative roles and media work.
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Recent Work

Ambassador for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Named ambassador for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League.

2012
Brand ambassador for Chennai Super Kings

Appointed brand ambassador for the Chennai Super Kings franchise of the Indian Premier League.

2008
Chief selector of the Indian Cricket team

Served as chief selector for the Indian national team from 2008 until 2012.

2008-2012
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Career Highlights

  1. Played for India between 1981 and 1992 as an opening batter known for aggressive strokeplay
  2. Top-scorer for India in the 1983 World Cup final
  3. Accumulated 4,091 ODI runs and 2,062 Test runs during international career
  4. Second international cricketer to score a fifty and take five wickets in the same match
  5. Joint record for most catches in a single Test inning by a fielder
  6. Recipient of the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Krishnamachari Srikkanth born?

21 December 1959

What is Krishnamachari Srikkanth known for?

Cricketer (Batter)

What is Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s marital status?

Married

Who is Krishnamachari Srikkanth married to?

Vidya Srikanth