In today’s weekend blog, I am writing the concluding part on the top 60 Greatest Indian Cricketers. Now here are five top ranked Indian cricketers:
On No. 5 is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Jharkhand ( 2004-19) Wicketkeeper, Batter
He arrived to the scene with the 148 vs Pakistan and 183 not out vs Sri Lanka with that iconic hair. However, it was his exploits as captain between 2007 to 2013 ( and later with Chennai Super Kings in IPL) that took him from great to legendary status. And don’t forget behind the stumps, he was best in business with lighting fast stumpings.
Matches played 535, Runs 17,092, Player of Match (POM) Awards 22, Player of Series (POS) Award 6. He was member of T20 WC winning team (2007) and ODI (WC 2011).
Notable achievements- Player of 2011 ODI WC final, Captain of India as India lifted T20 WC (2007), and ODI WC (2011),and Champions Trophy (2013).
No. 4 Virat Kohli, Delhi (2008- ) Batter
From a brash young man to fitness freak to the greatest Test captain, his evolution has been dream to follow. Perhaps the greatest ODI batter and definitely the greatest chaser of all-time, his attitude defined his greatness and carried India to the upper echelons of World Cricket
Matches played 531, Runs 26,922, POM 67, POS 19, member of WC winning team ODI (2011) and T20 (2024), he captained India in all formats, played 100+ Tests.
Notable Achievements- scored 50 ODI (a world record), 692 runs vs Australia (2014-15), 610 vs Sri Lanka (2017-18), 593 vs England (2018).
No.3 Kapil Dev, Haryana (1978-1994). All Rounder
Captain, All rounder, Fast Bowler, Lower Order Six hitter. India has never seen an enigmatic character like Kapil Dev again. 434 Test wickets, and 175 not out in pivotal 1983 WC match against Zimbabwe are some highlights of his career.
Matches played 356, Runs 9031, Wickets 687, POM 19, POS 5, played 100+ Tests.
Notable achievements- India’s first WC winning captain, 23 career Test five wickets haul, Best of 9/83 vs WI, 8/85 vs Pakistan and 8/106 va Australia, 32 wickets vs Pakistan (197-80), 29 wickets vs West Indies (1983-84), 28 wickets vs Australia (1979-80), 25 wickets vs Australia (1991-92), 24 wickets vs Pakistan (1982-83).
No 3 Sunil Gavaskar, Bombay (Mumbai) (1971-87). Batter
India’s first superstar cricketer, he defied bowling attacks around the world without a helmet. 10,000 runs and 34 Test centuries became the benchmark for other batters to follow. The original ‘Little Master’.
Matches played 233, runs 13,214, POM 10, POS 3, member of WC winning team (1983), he captained Indian team and played 100+ Tests.
Notable achievements- First to amass 10,000 Test runs. 774 runs vs West Indies (1970-71) in West Indies, 732 runs vs WI in India (1978-79), 542 runs vs England (1979), 529 runs vs Pakistan (1979-80), 505 runs vs England (1981-82), 450 runs vs Australia (1977-78) and 447 runs vs Pakistan (1977-78).
No. 1 Sachin Tendulkar , Mumbai (1989-2013). Batter
Virat Kohli summed up his contribution aptly after 2011 ODI WC triumph, “Tendulkar has carried the burden of nation for 21 years”. Probably the greatest batter since Donald Bradman. He was soul of Indian cricket for two decades. Oh, and his 154 ODI wickets largely go unnoticed in a career of stellar batting performance, but could have made career as successful leg spinner as well.
Matches played 664, Runs 34,357, Wickets 201, POM 76, POS 19, member of ODI WC winning team (2011), he captained India, played 100+ Tests.
Notable achievements- Highest score in 2003, and 2011 WCs, Only player to score hundred centuries ( 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs). First player to score double century in ODIs, 493 runs vs Australia (2007-08), 446 runs vs Australia (1997-98).
The Honourable Mentions
Future Stars– These players were not considered in the list (currently), but will most likely be considered greats Og Indian cricket by the time they retire:
Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Shubhman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd Siraj, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul.
Past Stars– Pankaj Roy, Roger Binny, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Doshi, Dattu Phadkar, Naren Tamhane, Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra, Venkatesh Prasad, Manoj Pabhakar, Karsn Gharvi, Madan Lal, Ajinkya rahane, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Anshuman Gaekwad, S Abid Ali, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Salim Durrani and Narendra Hirwani.
Friends, I hope you enjoyed going through the series of blogs on 60 Greatest Cricketers of India.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
11th October 2024