In today’s weekend blog, I am continuing with the 60 greatest Indian cricketers series, and today’s blog is 4th in this series.
At No. 20 is Harbhajan Singh- Punjab (1998-2016), Spinner
He was a mainstay in Indian team for more than a decade of his playing career, in both Tests and ODIs. His contributions to 2001 Australia series will always go down as one of India’s best individual performances. Also a hand batter down the order.
Matches played-365, Wickets 707, POM 11, POS 4. He was part of WC winning teams of 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI)
Notable achievements- 25 career Test 5 wicket haul in an inning, 32 Wickets vs Australia (2000-01), Best 8’84 vs Australia.
19 Vijay Hazare- Maharashtra/Baroda (1946-1953), Batter/All-Rounder
Average of 47.65 with 7 centuries in Test cricket. His record in First class cricket even more incredible-18,740 runs, 6o centuries, and couple of triple centuries to go with it. He also took 595 FC wickets. Led India to first Test win. He along with Vijay Merchant kept the cricket alive during WW II in India.
Matches played 30, Runs 2192.
Notable achievements-Scored 3 consecutive Test centuries, 543 runs against West Indies(1948-49), first Indian to score triple century in a Ranji match. The Vijay Hazare trophy is named in his honour.
18 Subhash Gupte –Bombay (1951-610, Spinner
He was considered best leg spinner of his era. His 9/102 against West Indies (1958) was the best individual performance for decades to come. Unfortunately, he ended his career at 32 after a controversy in which he was wrongly accused.
Matches played 36, Wickets 149.
Notable achievements- 34 wickets vs New Zealand (1955-56), 27 wickets vs West Indies(1952-53).
17 Vinoo Mankad- Gujarat/Bombay (1946-59), All Rounder
According to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac, he was ‘one of the greatest all rounder That India has ever produced.’ His name gets maligned with the form of dismissal. He was the other batter with Pankaj Roy in the record 413 run opening partnership, which stood for many decades.
Matches played- 44, Runs 2109, Wickets 162.
Notable achievements- 526 runs vs New Zealand (1955-56), 34 Wickets vs England (1951-52), 25 Wickets vs Pakistan (1952-53), 8/52 vs Pakistan (1952) and 9/55 vs England (1952).
16 Yuvraj Singh- Punjab (2000-17), Punjab, All Rounder
He performed when it mattered the most, 2002 Natwest Trophy Final, 2007 SF (T20 WC) vs Australia, and entire 2011 ODI WC, with both bat and ball.
Matches played 399, Runs 11,686, POM 34, POS 8. Part of two WC winning teams.
Notable achievements- Six sixes vs England in an over in 2007 T20 W, Player of the tournament-2011 ODI WC.
15 Jasprit Bumrah- Gujarat (2016- ), Pace Bowler
Without him there would be no 2024 T2 WC victory, there would not be several of the Test victories. When India needs to pull victory from jaws of defeat, the bowler is Bumrah. Once in a generation comes aplayer so unique that everybody can just sit back and appreciate his performance.
Matches played 195, Wickets 397, POM 13, POS 5.
Notable achievements –Player of the Tournament 2024 T20 WC, 23 wickets vs England (2021-22).
14 VVS Laxman- Hyderabad (1996-2012), Batter
He perhaps played the greatest innings of 21st century. The 281 against Australia came against a rampant Australian side, that too after India was following on, and in the end India won this Test.
Matches played 220, Runs 11,119, POM 10, POS 1.
Notable achievements- 503 runs vs Australia (200-01), 494 vs Australia (2003-04), 474 vs West Indies (2002)
13 Virender Sehwag- Delhi ( 1999-2013), Batter
319, 309, 293, 254. His legacy will forever be attached to his mammoth Test hundreds. He set the tone in ODI cricket as an opener, but it was Test cricket where Sehwag’s greatness is defined.
Matches played 363, Runs 16,892, POM 31, POS-6. He was part WC winning team of T20(2007)and ODI (2011).
Notable achievements- Highest individual Test score for India (319), 219 (in ODI), 544 runs vs Pakistan (2004-05),491 vs Sri Lanka (2009-10), 464 vs Australia (2003-04).
12 Bishen Singh Bedi- Delhi (1966-79). Left arm Spinner.
He was one of the finest left arm spinner India has ever seen. At the time of retirement he was highest Test wicket taker for India (266). Also took mammoth 1560 wickets in FC cricket.
Matches played 77, Wickets 273.
Notable achievements- 31 Wickets vs Australia (1977-78), 25 Wickets vs England (1976-77), 25 Wickets vs England (1972-73), 22 Wickets vs New Zealand (1976-77). His took 5 wickets in an inning 14 times.
11 Saurav Ganguly- Bengal (1992-2008). Batter & Medium Pace Bowler.
All the accolades India are receiving now can be traced back to his captaincy. He instilled confidence in the young side and helped build the cored that lifter 2011 ODI WC. (Zaheer, Sehwag, Yuvraj). Apart from his captaincy, will go down as one of the great batters of ODI game.
Matches played 421, Runs 18,433, POM 37, POS 9.
Notable achievements- 534 runs vs Pakistan (2007-08), 4th most player of the match awards.
Top 10 cricketers in my next weekend blog.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
27th September 2024