In this weekend’s blog, I am continuing the Greatest Indian Cricketers series that I started with last weekend’s blog.
At No. 47 is Ravi Shastri, Bombay (1981-1992) All Rounder
Player of the series in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, Shastri won several matches for India in his career. He later coached Team India and lives in the hearts & minds of Indian cricket fans through his voice.
Matches played-230, Wickets-280, Runs-6938, OPM-14, POS-4. Member of Indian team who won ODI World Cup in 1983. He captained India in 11 ODIs and 1 Test.
Notable achievements- 77.75 average against Australia in 10 Tests.
46 Syed Kirmani, Karnataka (1976-1986) Wicket-Keeper/Batter
He was the central figure behind the stumps in 1070s and 1980s. Kept for India’s spin quartet. He scored two score of 100+ as batter.
Matches played-137, Runs-3132. Part of 1983 World Cup winning team.
Notable achievements: 3rd most stumpings in a career.
45 Ajit Wadekar, Bombay (1966-1974). Batter
India’s captain in overseas 1971 Test victories over West Indies and England. Although he had only solitary hundred Test cricket, he dominated First class cricket with 15380 runs at average of 47.03 with 36 centuries.
Matches played-39, Runs- 2186.
Notable achievements: Got close to Test hundred several times- 99,91 no, 91, 87, 85, 80.
44 Rishabh Pant, Delhi (2017- ) Wicket-Keeper/Batter.
He may rise up in this list as his career progresses, but he has already made a case for himself with his exploits in Test cricket, especially against Australia. 89* at the Gabba, 97 at Sydney (2021), 159* also at Sydney (2019). Against England 146 at Birmingham and 114 at Oval. Also to make international comeback after the accident, and help India lift the T20 World Cup.
Matches played-139, Runs-4345, POM-4, POS-1. Member of 2024 T20 WC winning team.
Notable achievements- Joint most dismissal in a Test match (11vs Australia, 2018).
43 K Srikkanth, Tamilnadu (1981-1992)- Batter
Before Sehwag, there was Srikkanth. Scoring 4091 ODI runs with 4 hundreds @ 71.74 Strike rate (SR), quick for the time, established him as India’s mainstay at the top of the order. Top scored in 1983 WC final.
Matches played-189, Runs-6153, POM-13, POS-1. Member 1983 WC winning team.
Notable achievements- Has a high score of 123 in both Tests & ODIs.
42 Ishant Sharma, Delhi (2007-). Fast Bowler
Described as unlucky for early part of the career, the 2011 series against West Indies rejuvenated his Test career. He would go on to establish himself as leader of the attack with a magnificent 7/74 at Lord’s in 2014.
Matches played-199, Wickets-434, POM-6, POS-3. Played in more than 100 Tests for India.
Notable achievements- 22 wickets against West Indies in 2011.
41 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, UP (2012-0. Fast Bowler
One of India’s most gifted swing bowlers. Set the tone in ODI cricket. Has his best Test against England at Lord’sin 2014 when he took 6/82. Also made crucial runs at #8.
Matches played-229, Wickets-294, POM-11, POS-4.
Notable achievements- 4th most maidens in T20I career (10).
40 Lala Amarnath, Punjab (1933-1952)
Scored India’s first century (and his only one) and was independent India’s first captain. Also scored 31 FC hundreds, and took 463 wickets to go along with 10,426 runs. A prominent figure in India’s early cricket history and contributed through various roles after his cricketing career.
Matches played-24, Runs-878.
Notable achievement-Scored India’s first Test hundred.
39 Syed Mushtaq Ali, Central India (1934-1952). Batter/left Arm spin
He was first Indian batter to score overseas hundred. Had an outstanding FC career with 30 centuries and over 13,000 runs.
Matches played-11, Runs-612. He also captained India in Tests.
Notable achievements- scored first overseas hundred, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is named after him.
38 Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai (2021-). Batter
He has made the most of his opportunities since 2021. 2432* T20I runs with 4 T20I hundreds, 20 fifties, 168.65 SR @ av of 42.66, not only make him India’s premier T20I batter, but one of the best T20I batters of all time.
Matches played-109, Runs-3213, POMm-16, POS-6. Part 0f 2024 T20 WC winning team. He has also captained India in few T20Is.
Notable achievements- Most POM in T20Is (16), 2nd Most t20I runs in a year (1164 in 2022).
37 Suresh Raina, UP (2005-2018). Batter
India’s 4-5-6 of Yuvraj-Dhoni-Raina is one of the most dynamic middle orders of all-time. He had it all, the off spin, the fielding and batting. 5615 ODI runs @ 93.5 SR establishes him as an ODI great.
Matches played-322, Runs-7988, POM-15, POS-3. He was member of 2011 ODI WC winning team.
Notable achievements-Hit century on Test debut (120), First Indian to score century in each format.
36 Javagal Srinath, Karnataka (1991-2003). Fast Bowler
One of the fastest bowlers India produced and the spearhead of the attack in the 90s in both formats.
Matches played-296, Wickets-551, POM-12.
Notable achievements- 2nd Highest Wicket taker for India in ODIs, Best of 8/86 vs Pakistan in Tests.
35 Mohd. Shami , Bengal (2013-). Fast Bowler
He in the ODI WC is a legendary figure. 55 wickets, best of 7/57 at the best SR of 13.52 of anyone in the list.
Matches played-188, Wickets-448, POM-9, POS-1.
Notable achievements- 5th Most Wickets in ODI WCs (55).
34 Gautam Gambhir, Delhi (2003-2016). Batter
His performances at clutch times established him as batter of his times. The 2007 T20 WC final, 2011 ODI WC final, and the stonewalling 137 against New Zealand will be remembered as his most prominent knocks.
Matches played-242, Runs-10,324, POM-15, POS-1. Member of 2007 T20 WC winning team, and 2011 ODI WC winning team.
Notable achievements- Highest individual score in 2007 t20 WC final (75), and 2011 ODI WC final (97).
Rest in my coming weekend blogs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
30th August 2024