Introduction
When it comes to cricket, India is a powerhouse. With some of the best cricket players in the world, the Indian national cricket team has consistently ranked among the top teams in the world.
But who are the best of the best? We’ve put together a ranking of the top legendary Indian cricketers of all time. This is based on a variety of factors, including their achievements on the field, their impact on the sport, and their overall popularity and latest cricket information.
Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is easily one of the greatest Indian cricketers of all time. He was an all-rounder, meaning he could both bat and bowl, and his skills led India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup.
Kapil Dev is also noteworthy for his impressive record as the world’s most successful Test captain. He led India in 47 Test matches, winning 21 of them and losing only 7. He also became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in England.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is considered by many to be the greatest cricketer of all time. He is the only player in history to score 100 international centuries and holds a number of other records.
He started playing cricket at the age of six and made his international debut in 1989 at the age of 16. He went on to play for the Indian national team for more than two decades, retiring in 2013.
Sachin’s skills and achievements have won him numerous awards, including the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, India’s highest civilian honour.
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is one of the most iconic Indian cricketers of all time. He was an opening batsman who was known for his attacking style and his ability to score big runs. He made his debut for India in 1971 and went on to play for the country until 1987.
Gavaskar is the first cricketer in the world to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket and is also the first Indian batsman to score a century in both Tests and one-day internationals. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 1987 and is widely considered one of the best batsmen in the history of Indian cricket.
Mohammad Azharuddin
At number four on our list is the graceful right-handed batsman, Mohammad Azharuddin. A three-time captain of India’s national cricket team, Azharuddin was known for his elegant batting style and strong leadership abilities. He scored 22 Test centuries and 18 ODI centuries during an illustrious career of more than 15 years.
Although his career ended in controversy due to alleged involvement in match-fixing, it cannot take away from the fact that he was one of the best cricketers India has ever produced. He was particularly adept at playing spin bowling and could score quickly, making him a great asset for any team. He is also known for being one of the first Indian batsmen to have mastered the reverse sweep shot.
Mohammad Azharuddin will always be remembered as one of India’s most iconic and legendary cricketers.
Rahul Dravid
Let’s move on to the fifth cricketer on our list—Rahul Dravid. Nicknamed The Wall, Rahul Dravid is a legendary batsman who made his debut in 1996 and played his last international game in 2012. He earned a well-deserved reputation for his ability to protect the wickets at any cost, and his performance in matches earned him world recognition.
The Wall was outstanding when it came to batting, not just for India but for the whole world. He scored more than 10,000 runs in Tests and One Day Internationals combined and had an amazing average of 52.31. He was known for having solid technique, superb defence, and a cool temperament that could handle any situation on the cricket field.
In addition to his batting prowess, Rahul Dravid was also an excellent fielder and a great team leader. His contributions to the Indian cricket team will be remembered forever!
Sourav Ganguly
At number six, we have Sourav Ganguly, who made his debut for India in 1996 and retired in 2008. He captained India in some of the game’s most successful years and was instrumental in the team’s historic triumphs. Ganguly was known for his aggressive batting style and his passion for the game. He scored more than 11000 runs in One-day Internationals and is the fourth-highest run-scorer of all time for India. His leadership skills were also remarkable, as he often rallied his teammates to victory with inspiring words. Sourav Ganguly will always be remembered as one of the greatest captains and cricketers that India ever produced.
Virender Sehwag
Coming in at the seventh spot, we have Virender Sehwag. Sehwag is best known for his fearless batting style and ability to score big runs in a quick time. His batting average and strike rate are among the highest in international cricket—181 tests, 8586 runs, 15 centuries, and 5 fifties. His highest score of 319 was a national record for a full 10 years!
Sehwag was also instrumental in India’s 2003 World Cup victory. He scored a century in the finals against Australia, cementing India’s place as the champions of the tournament. He also played a significant role in India’s first-ever Test series win in South Africa in 2006.
Sehwag enjoyed a long career with the Indian Cricket Team and was fondly referred to as ‘Viru’ or ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ by his fans and teammates alike.
Anil Kumble
At the 8th spot on our list is none other than Anil Kumble. A master of spin bowling and one of India’s all-time greats, Kumble played 132 Tests, 271 ODIs and 10 international T20s for India over a 20-year career. Not only was he an invaluable asset for his side, but he also holds the record for the most Test wickets taken by an Indian bowler (619) which is astonishing.
A former captain of the national team and famous name in modern Indian cricket, Kumble also holds numerous records, such as the most number of 5-wicket hauls in an innings (35). Furthermore, he has also held the highest partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket and has taken a 10-wicket haul in an innings thrice – a feat unmatched by any other Indian spinner.
Murali Vijay
Coming in at number nine is Murali Vijay. He made his debut in 2008 and has been a key part of the Indian team ever since then. He is known for his attacking batting style, with a strike rate of over 90, and he has been able to score quick runs when necessary. He is also very reliable in the slips as he usually takes catches with ease.
Vijay also has a lot of experience playing in all forms of cricket – Test matches, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals. He has scored centuries in Tests, the 50s and 100s in ODIs, and explosive knocks in T20s. His most memorable knock came against South Africa when he scored 127 off 165 balls to save India from a shaky start. Vijay continues to be an integral part of the Indian team and one of the most experienced players on the team.
Suresh Raina
At the tenth spot on our list is the talented Suresh Raina. He has played in over 300 international matches across all three formats of the game, making him one of India’s most experienced cricketers. He first rose to fame in 2006 when he became the youngest player to score a One-Day International century. His illustrious career since then has made him a national treasure.
Raina is renowned for his consistent batting performances, as well as his brilliant fielding skills. He was a vital part of the Indian team that won the 2011 World Cup and he also led Chennai Super Kings to two IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.
A master performer on any type of pitch, Suresh Raina’s impact on Indian cricket is simply incomparable. He will forever be remembered as one of India’s most iconic cricketers.
Virat Kohli
At number 11 on our list, we have the one and only Indian cricket superstar, Virat Kohli. Having made his international debut in 2008, Virat has taken the world of cricket by storm. With 39 centuries and 74 half-centuries under his belt, this right-handed batsman is one of India’s most successful players of all time.
Virat has broken numerous records in his career so far, including surpassing legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in scoring 10,000 ODI runs within just 205 innings – making him the fastest player to reach this milestone. His incredible performance has earned him several accolades over the years, including being awarded the Arjuna Award for outstanding achievements in sports in 2013.
Conclusion
India is a cricket-loving nation and has produced some of the legends of the game. These 15 players are the best of the best and have left a lasting legacy. They are remembered not just for their cricketing skills but also for their sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct on and off the field.
