For today’s weekend blog, I am back with cricket. The topic I have chosen is ‘Top 60 Greatest Male Indian Cricketers of All-Time’. The details will not be finished in one blog, so I will write a series of weekend blogs on this topic.
What is greatness? The answer to this question can be described as “ Some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them”.
In this blog, I will write about the greatest Indian cricketers of all-time across formats and eras. Some of them were born geniuses. Others toiled their way to greatness, one ball at a time.
The players are chose based on their contributions in India’s major victories in ICC conducted tournaments like ODI world cups, T20 world cups, Champion trophies and major test victories. Their statistics about runs scored, wickets taken, catches taken, fielding, stumpings etc.
Top Greatest Indian Cricketers
The criteria considered for each player is- number of international matches played (longevity), player of match/series awards (impact), notable achievements (specific test series & world cup stats), and if they captained India, played 100 tests, and/or won a world cup. If retired player satisfies any of the following criteria, then they automatically make the list:
- 9 player of Match Awards
- 300+ International Wickets
- 10,000+ International Runs
60 Kiran More, Baroda (1984-93)- Wicketkeeper/ Batter
Matches played-143, Runs-1848, Player of Match Awards (POM)-0, Player of Series (POS)-0, World Cup Winner-0, Captained India- No, 100 Tests- No.
Notable achievements- 4th Most Dismissal in Tests (as wicketkeeper) for India.
59 Amar Singh (1932-1936) –Fast Bowler/All-Rounder.
Along with Mohd. Nissar, made up India’s great fast bowling pair. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 29 due to typhoid.
Matches played 7, Wickets taken-28.
Notable achievements- Scored India’s first Test half-century, First Indian to complete 100 runs & 100 wickets in Ranji Trophy.
58 Eknath Solkar, Bombay (1969-77) All Rounder
Probably the best forward short-leg fielder of all-time, his contribution cannot be understated in uplifting India’s spin quartet. Has one test century to his name, 8 first class (FC) tons, and 276 FC wickets. Matches -34, Runs 1095, Wickets-22.
Notable achievements- 53 catches in 27 tests, the best ratio for a non-wicketkeeper.
57 Yuzvendra Chahal, Haryana (2016-). Legspinner.
The highest T20I wicket-taker for India.. and has yet, never played a single T20 W game. Was not picked 2021 T20 WC and was on the sidelines of others (including 2024). However it was ODI cricket between 2016-19 where the duo of Chahal-Kuldeep became a deadly combination. Lack of batting prowess probably hurt his ability to find a place in team more often.
Matches played-152, Wickets-217. POM-9, POS-2.
Notable achievements-Highest wicket-taker in T20I for India(96).
56 Ajay Jadeja, Haryana (1992-2000). Batter/Medium pacer.
He was very good in ODI format. He will be remembered for match-winning knocks, quick finishes, and athletic fielding. His international career ended due to match-fixing investigations.
Matches-211, Runs-5935, POM 10, POS 1.
Notable achievements- 50 dismissals in ODI to go along with 5000 runs.
55 Irfan Pathan, Baroda, 2003-2012, All Rounder
POM in 2007 T20 World cup final and test hat-trick in the opening over against Pakistan. He could bat at #3 in ODIs, and had a Test century to his name.
Matches-173, Wickets 301, POM-13, POS-2, World Cup Winner-Yes.
Notable achievements- Opened the batting and bowling in the same Test. Best of 7/59 in a Test innings (vs Zimbabwe, 2005).
54 Bapu Nadkarni, Bombay (1955-1968). Left Arm Spinner
Perhaps India’s most economical bowler of all-time, career economy of 1.67 after 67 innings. Also scored Test century, and 7 Test fifties.
Matches played-41, Wickets-88.
Notable achievements- Bowled 21.5 consecutive overs without conceding a run in 1964 with figures of 32-27-5-0.
53 Mohd Nissar(1932-36) Fast Bowler
Regarded as India’s first true fast bowler.
Matches played-6, Wickets -25.
Notable achievements-Figures of 5/93, 5/90, 3/36, 2/125, and 5/120 in 5 of all innings.
52 CK Nayudu (1932-36) Batter
India’s first Test captain in 1932.although Nayudu only played 7 Tests, he built a 207-match FC career with 11,825 runs and 26 centuries.
Matches played-7, runs-350, captained India-yes.
Notable achievements- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1933), lifetime achievement Award is named after him.
51 Dilip Sardesai, Bombay (1961-72). Batter
Pivotal to India’s maiden Test series victory in England, he had a fruitful 1971, 789 runs at 60.69 with three centuries. Also had a spectacular 1965, averaging 120 in 3 Tests against New Zealand.
Matches- 30, Runs-2001.
Notable achievements- 642 Runs in West Indies (1970-71), 449 vs England (1963-64), scored 200 not out as his first century.
50 Vijay Manjrekar, Bombay (1951-65). Batter
Solid batter, had a great record against NZ-507 runs @ 84.5 with 3 centuries, and England 1181 runs @ 43.74 with 3 centuries & five fifties.
Matches played-55, Runs-3208.
Notable achievements- 586 runs vs England (1961-62) scored 100 in his final Test.
49 Farokh Engineer, Bombay (1962-75). Wicket-Keeper/Batter
India’s best WK before Kirmani. Had the challenge to keep to Fab 4 spin quartet. Handy batter, scored 2 Test centuries and 16 fifties.
Matches Played-51, Runs-2725, POM -2.
Notable achievements-took 66 catches and inflicted 16 stumpings in Tests.
48 Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab (193-1999). Batter.
Now known for his speaking abilities, it was his bat that did the talking in late 1980s, and early 90s.
Matches played-187,Runs-7615, POM-15, POS-4.
Notable achievements-Scored four consecutive centuries in 1987 ODI WC.
Rest in my coming Weekend blogs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd August 2024