25+ Cricket Legends of India with Career Statistics and Best Performances.

Cricket is not a sport in India, but an extraordinary emotion. We adopted this English game and made it our own. Throughout history, the cricket legends of India played such miraculous cricket that the world only sat and witnessed. Today, we take a chance to learn more about some of the best cricketers of India and best Indian cricket players. The greatest Indian cricketers who turned their dreams into an astounding reality. Every legendary Indian cricketer’s story shall inspire you to the core of your soul. This is our golden opportunity to pay tribute to the famous cricketers of India and recall there incredible innings. Many of the world records set by the legendary Indian cricketers still stand strong as a pillar. We decided to list the cricket legends of India in no chronological order cause each one is a legend in his own right.

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Sr. No.	Indian Cricket Legends
1.	CK Nayudu
2.	Vijay Hazare
3.	Vijay Merchant
4.	Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
5.	Sachin Tendulkar
6.	Lala Amarnath
7.	Kapil Dev
8.	Anil Kumble
9.	Sunil Gavaskar
10.	Javagal Srinath
11.	Mohammad Azharuddin
12.	Vinoo Mankad
13.	Bhishan Singh Bedi
14.	Rahul Dravid
15.	Sourav Ganguly
16.	A Jadeja
17.	VG Kambli
18.	Erapalli Prasanna
19.	Ravi Shastri
20.	Virendra Sehwag
21.	Zaheer Khan
22.	Gautam Gambhir
23.	Yuvraj Singh
24.	Mahendra Singh Dhoni
25.	Harbhajan Singh
26.	Virat Kohli

26. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli Career Stats.

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	109	8479	254*	28	28
ODI	274	12898	183	46	65
T20I	115	4008	122*	1	37
FC	141	10728	254*	35	36
List A	308	14340	183	50	73
T20	374	11965	122*	8	91

Best Cricketers of India: Virat Kohli or King Kohli rules the world of cricket today. His records, captaincy, and temperament signify his superhuman powers. Never has the world seen such a cricketer, no doubt he stands tall among the cricket legends of India. After leading India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in early 2008, a vivacious, overweight teenager with gelled hair rose to stardom. Virat Kohli, with his most un-Indian, ‘bad-boy’ passion, would undoubtedly be an outsider in an Indian squad full of saintly heroes deserving of their own hagiographies.

He holds the mesmerizing record of the highest number of centuries in run chases, and second-highest overall in ODI cricket. At the age of 31, he has achieved what hardly any player in the world could even reach. His shelf of titles and awards include Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and several ICC trophies. As of today, he plans to get India another victory at the World Cup. Virat is among the greatest Indian cricketers of all time.

Watch Virat Kohli’s best innings in odi:

Magnificent Virat Kohli Hits Brilliant Century | Windies vs India 2nd ODI 2019 - Highlights

25. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI
Test	103	417	8/84
ODI	236	269	5/31
T20I	28	25	4/12
FC	198	780	8/84
List A	334	393	5/31
T20	268	235	5/18

Legendary Indian Spinner: Harbhajan Singh ‘The Turbanator’ has been named among the best cricketers of India. As a spin bowling specialist and a master wicket-taker, Bhajji ruled on cricket pitches. The second-highest number of Test wickets by an off-spinner is entitled to him. He started his career in the late 90s and formed an impenetrable duo with Anil Kumble. Bhajji was surrounded by controversies throughout his career, but that never affected his performance. In 2009, Harbhajan was conferred with the Padma Shri. As a spinner, Bhajji remains one of the most famous cricketers in India.

It’s easy to argue that Harbhajan’s personality had just as much of an impact as his off spin bowling, which is a credit to the volatile Indian who hails from the competitive Ludhiana district of Punjab. His teen years’ dismissal from the NCA for lack of discipline is an example of the fire that burned in his belly, though it wasn’t always for the correct reasons. Nevertheless, he had a tonne of skills that were regrettably hidden by his off-field troubles. After his 1998 debut, it appeared as though his career was losing momentum.

Watch Harbhajan Singh’s best performance:

Harbhajan Singh Rips Apart Australia | 15 Wickets in 1 Match | INDvAUS 2001

24. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s	Ct	St
Test	90	4876	224	6	33	256	38
ODI	350	10773	183*	10	73	321	123
T20I	98	1617	56	0	2	57	34
FC	131	7038	224	9	47	364	57
List A	423	13353	183*	17	87	402	141
T20	377	7271	84*	0	28

Best Cricketers in India: MS Dhoni. Call him Thala, Mahi, MSD or Captain Cool, he is none other than the former captain of the Indian cricket team. Mahi remains the first and only captain till date to win all the ICC trophies. The victories that India accomplished under his leadership made the country a champion in the world of cricket. His winning six at the final of the 2011 World Cup is one of the most-watched videos on YouTube. His records are unbeatable as a middle-order batsman, wicket-keeper, and captain. The unforgettable T20I records include the most number of wins as Captain, the most number of catches and dismissals as wicketkeeper and many more.

“‘Dhoniiiii finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lift the World Cup after 28 years. The party’s started in the dressing room. And it’s an Indian captain, who’s been absolutely magnificent, in the night of the final.” – A pump operator in Ranchi was anticipating the birth of his third child less than thirty years before that magical Saturday night when Ravi Shastri’s voice resounded through television sets all over India and even the spunky and exuberant Indian youth showed more interest in an old-school CRT television at a neighbourhood chai ki dukaan than the dance floor at a pub.

Mahi’s outstanding contributions to the sport has earned him the national honors- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan. His name has also been mentioned multiple times in the ICC World ODI XI, that too as a Captain. Dhoni shall forever be considered among the greatest Indian cricketers.

Watch Dhoni’s winning six video on YouTube:

Dhoni best performance in last over worldcup final

23. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	40	1900	169	3	11
ODI	304	8701	150	14	52
T20I	58	1177	77*	0	8
FC	139	8965	260	26	36
List A	423	12663	172	19	78
T20	231	4857	83	0	27

King of Sixes: Yuvraj Singh Son of Yograj, who played one Test match for India, was to Andre what Mike Agassi was to him. He was so preoccupied with Yuvraj’s cricket that he yanked his little son’s gold medal in figure skating off of his neck and hurled it out of the car. “You’re going to play cricket from now on.” He has played cricket ever since. At age 15, he began transporting kitbags in packed local trains while living apart from his parents and leading an opulent life in Punjab. This marked a significant change. In only his second ODI, he was destroying a potent Australian assault at the age of 18 during the 2000 Champions Trophy.

Yuvraj would quickly establish successful alliances with Rahul Dravid to become India’s middle-order lynchpin. Also, batters, who are both excellent ODI players in their own right, gave Yuvraj’s capacity to score on-demand credit for their success. Yuvraj’s significance can be shown in the fact that in 2010, the first time since he solidified his spot in the Indian squad, he was dropped from the ODI side. His ODI career is chock-full of highlight-reel moments, but his contribution to India’s 2011 World Cup victory, which included 362 runs, 15 wickets, four Man-of-the-Match honors, and the Player of the Tournament, had the largest effect. That eclipsed even his outstanding performance during the 2007 World T20 victory when he infamously blasted a Stuart Broad over for six sixes.

The crowning achievement of his cricket career was winning the World Cup in 2011, but shortly afterward, he was given the news that he had cancer, necessitating a two-and-a-half month treatment in the USA. In April 2012, once his chemotherapy was over, he returned to his home, quite sure that he could swiftly resume his duties as a cricket player. In August, he was nominated to India’s team for the World T20 in Sri Lanka.

Yuvraj Singh slams six sixes off Stuart Broad:

Yuvraj Singh slams six sixes off Stuart Broad | ENG v IND | T20 World Cup 2007

22. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	50s
Test	58	4154	206	22
ODI	147	5238	150*	34
T20I	37	932	75	7
FC	198	15153	233*	68
List A	299	10077	151	60
T20	251	6402	93	53

Nicknamed Gauti, Gambhir stood out of the crowd because of his batting class and consistency. Today, he serves as an MP from East Delhi and keeps up with his commitment to progress in India. Gambhir holds a distinction as the only Indian to score five consecutive centuries in Test cricket. Gambhir also led the Indian cricket team as a captain and was extremely successful. He also led Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and showcased his remarkable captaincy. He received the Padma Shri in the year 2019. Gambhir is one of those cricket legends of India, who never gave up the Indian dream! There is no doubt why he’s considered one of the greatest Indian cricketers.

In the 1999–2000 season, Gambhir’s career as a first-class cricket player officially began. However, it wasn’t until 2002, a few years later, that the Delhi boy really came into his own. The left-hander then scored 218 runs while playing for the Board President’s XI against a visiting Zimbabwean squad. The big moment arrived a year later when Gambhir was named to the Indian side for the triangular TVS Cup match.

Watch Gautam Gambhir’s best innings in odi:

21. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI	4w	5w	10w
Test	92	311	7/87	15	11	1
ODI	200	282	5/42	7	1	0
T20I	17	17	4/19	1	0	0
FC	169	672	9/138	–	35	8
List A	253	357	5/42	10	1	0
T20	138	139	4/17	2	0	0

Best Swing Bowler for India: Zaheer Khan. Best known for his swing, seam and pace, Zaheer remains one of the leading fast bowlers the world has ever seen. He stood out among all the greatest Indian cricketers of his time, especially because of his ability to swing the ball both sides. One of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2008, Zaheer set a world-class standard for pacers. He is considered the second-best Indian pace bowler after Kapil Dev in Test cricket. He also introduced the “knuckleball” to the world. His performance in the 2011 World Cup played a crucial role in the national team’s overall victory. He received the Arjuna Award in 2011.

Without a doubt, Zaheer Khan was one of the best things about Indian cricket. At the turn of the century, when Javagal Srinath, India’s leading fast-bowler at the time, was well into his thirties and towards the end of his career, no country could have found a bigger gift. Zaheer ultimately became one of the all-time finest new-ball bowlers (especially to left-handers), a master of the reverse-swing technique (even with the old white ball), a formidable bowler in the Test arena, and finally a World Cup hero.

Watch Zaheer Khans Best wickets compilation:

Zaheer Khan`s best BOWLED wickets compilation|| Zak Attack || Part 2 of 2

20. Virendra Sehwag

Virendra Sehwag Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	104	8586	319	23	32
ODI	251	8273	219	15	38
T20I	19	394	68	0	2
FC	194	14683	319	42	55
List A	332	10454	219	16	57
T20	159	4061	122	2	24

Most Explosive Indian Player: Virendra Sehwag. Viru is a sweet name, but a destructive batting hound in the world of cricket. One of the cricket legends of India, Sehwag holds an endless number of records to his name. He scored the fastest triple century in the history of international cricket. The top ODI scorer of his time, Sehwag earned the title of Wisden Leading Cricketer of the year 2009. His contribution to the sport is magnificent, for which he received the Arjuna Award in 2002 and Padma Shri in 2010. One cannot refrain from listing him as one of the greatest Indian cricketers of modern-day cricket.

Playing it safe is ingrained in decision-making in a culture that has a propensity for regretting things too soon. India frequently chooses conventional investing strategies over unconventional ones that might disrupt the game since they provide rewards and satisfaction in the near term. This practical, albeit somewhat shortsighted strategy has helped India create many talented cricketers. However, India is a country that enjoys a good tale as well, so occasionally it may recycle a few outliers.

Watch Virendra Sehwag best innings in odi:

Virender Sehwag's 309 vs PAK | 1st Test: Pakistan v India at Multan, Mar 28-Apr 1, 2004

19. Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri Career Stats:

Batting & Fielding

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	80	3830	206	11	12
ODI	150	3108	109	4	18
FC	245	13202	217	34	66
List A	278	6383	138*	6	37

Bowling

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI	BBM
Test	80	151	5/75	8/179
ODI	150	129	5/15	5/15
FC	245	509	9/101	–
List A	278	254	5/13	5/13

There is cricket and everything related to it. Every action has been taken by Ravi Shastri. It is frequently simple to forget that the voices and faces of the media that are constantly present on television screens had previously celebrated cricketing careers. One such prominent example is Shastri.

He began as a prodigy from the maidans, one of many Bombay-products of the 1980s on the Indian side. In his final year of high school, he led his team to victory in the Harris-Shield competition. Scouts noticed him, he advanced quickly through the ranks, and at the age of 17, he became the youngest player ever to play for India in the Bombay Ranji Trophy. An India cap duly followed a year after.

Watch Ravi Shastri best innings in odi:

From the Vault: Shastri's Sydney double century

18. Erapalli Prasanna

Erapalli Prasanna Career Stats:

Bowling

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI
Test	49	189	8/76
FC	235	957	8/50
List A	9	17	3/29

Batting & Fielding

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	49	735	37	0	0
FC	235	2476	81	0	2
List A	9	33	22	0	0

One of India’s most illustrious spinners, Erapalli Prasanna was a member of the renowned Indian spin quartet, which also included Venkataraghavan, Chandrasekhar, and Bishan Singh Bedi. Off-spinner Prasanna made his debut in 1961 against England in Madras (now Chennai). He was a member of the Indian team that went to the West Indies, but he did not do well. He briefly stopped playing the sport and took a five-year sabbatical to finish his undergraduate studies.

The height of Prasanna’s powers occurred following his 1967 homecoming. Prasanna became a deadly spinner under the late MAK Pataudi who was capable of picking off batsmen on every surface. Prasanna was frequently unplayable on the dusty subcontinental surfaces because of his excellent control of his flight and ability to outsmart the batsmen in the air. The spin quartet was extremely successful in the 1970s, but they only played together in one game because zonal politics prevented Prasanna or Venkataraghavan from participating. After a tour of Pakistan in 1978, Prasanna announced his retirement. Bedi and Chandrasekhar also had a dip during this series.

Erapalli Prasanna Best Innings In Test:

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17. VG Kambli

Vinod Kambli Career Stats:

FORMAT	Mat	Runs	HS	100s	50s
Test	17	1084	227	4	3
ODI	104	2477	106	2	14
FC	129	9965	262	35	44
List A	221	6476	149*	11	35

Vinod Kambli was born and raised in Mumbai, but his flamboyant demeanor, showy strokeplay, and love of gold jewelry were more West Indies than West Indian. He was a prodigious talent who was 17 when he and Sachin Tendulkar, then 16 years old, put on an unbroken 664-run partnership in a school match, setting a world record. Three years after Tendulkar began his Test career and three years after he scored a six on the first ball he ever faced in the Ranji Trophy, Kambli made his Test debut. But what a start it was—he scored two double-centuries and two single ones in his first seven Test matches.

He famously hammered Shane Warne for 22 runs in an over thanks to his deft footwork against spinners, but he frequently got tangled up against short balls, and his flash to gully quickly became his signature move. Inattentiveness and a fixation with the breadth of his bat handle, which had nine grips on at once, contributed to Kambli’s issues. Even though he made up to nine comebacks into the one-day squad, his final Test was played in 1995 before he turned 24. After October 2000, he was not selected for the Indian ODI team, and in 2009, he retired from international cricket. In 2011, he declared his retirement from first-class cricket.

VG Kambli Best Innings In Test:

23 year Old Angry Vinod Kambli Destroying Australian Legendary Bowlers and chased the Target

16. Ajay Jadeja

Ajay Jadeja Career Stats:

Batting

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	15	0/4	96
ODI	197	6/30	119
First Class	111	20/40	264
List A	292	11/48	119

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling
Test	15	0	0/0
ODI	197	20	3/3
First Class	111	54	4/59
List A	292	49	3/3

Jadeja, who was raised in a royal family, made his international cricket debut in 1992 in the Benson & Hedges World Cup. A spectacular catch to remove Allan Border marked the arrival of a dynamic cricketer who could uplift the team’s spirits with his demeanor both on and off the field. Despite being a skilled player in the shorter version of the game, Jadeja had trouble making an impact in the longer forms, as seen by his unimpressive Test cricket record.

Jadeja, one of the top fielders on the Indian squad, excelled in the ODIs. His innings against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinals against his bitter rivals stand out in particular. Before Jadeja started a blitzkrieg against a dazed Waqar Younis, the match was in a strong position. The cherry on top was Jadeja’s cameo of 45 off only 25 balls, which put India securely in the semi-finals.

Jadeja was the Indian team’s vice-captain and possessed all the necessary traits to serve as the team’s captain. However, things quickly got out of hand when he was one of those identified in a CBI probe on match rigging. The BCCI issued a 5-year suspension from all versions of the game even though no proof could ever be uncovered. Jadeja filed an appeal, and the Delhi High Court overturned the suspension, restoring Jadeja’s eligibility to play both local and international cricket. But the damage was done, and Jadeja never even considered donning the India hat once more.

Ajay Jadeja Match Winning Inning:

Ajay Jadeja 103* - Captain's Match Winning Inning - Vs Sri Lanka at Pune 1999

15. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	113	16/35	239
ODI	311	22/72	183
First Class	254	33/89	239
List A	437	31/97	183

Who is the best captain for India? Saurav Ganguly. The price of Kolkata, Sourav is also famously known as Dada. Ganguly’s style of play introduced real aggression in Indian batsman-ship. The God of Off Side, never let a ball pass by! Ganguly caught the sporting limelight as soon as he entered the international arena. As a firing batsman, he set a partnership record with Rahul Dravid of 318 runs in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. 

His extraordinary captaincy also led the Indian team to the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy. In the year 2002, Wisden named him the sixth greatest ODI batsman of all time. His captaincy introduced the team spirit in the Indian cricket team. He received the Padma Shri in 2004 and currently serves as the President of BCCI. Dada is a regular mention in the list of famous cricketers of India.

Watch Sourav Ganguly best innings in odi:

Sourav Ganguly Showing ENGLAND - WHO IS DADA - BRUTAL INNING !!

14. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	164	36/63	270
ODI	344	12/83	153
First Class	298	68/117	270
List A	449	21/112	153

When we talk of cricket legends of India, no list is complete without the name of the Wall. Rahul Dravid established the batting standard for Indian cricket. Any intellectual who criticized the style of Indian cricket was stunned shut on his arrival. Looking at his records will be like counting stars in the sky. Dravid understood the spirit of cricket and fashioned himself according to it. One unique record to his name is that of facing the highest number of balls in Test cricket.

He currently serves as the head of the National Cricket Academy of India. His exemplary coaching at junior levels has strengthened Indian cricket at its core. Rahul was named one of the Wisden cricketers of the year 2000. He was recently inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame in the year 2018. India has honored him with the national awards- Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Rahul has been able to mold some of the greatest cricketers of India.

Watch Rahul Dravid’s best innings:

(HD) Rahul Dravid magnificent 270 vs Pakistan - SERIES WINNING KNOCK!

13. Bhishan Singh Bedi

Bhishan Singh Bedi Career Stats:

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling
Test	67	266	7/98
ODI	10	7	2/44
First Class	370	1,560	7/5
List A	72	71	5/30

One of the Best Spinners for India: Bishan Singh Bedi: The artist of spin bowling, Bedi was a leading name in the spin quartet of India. His bowling has been defined as graceful because of his beautiful posture that he could carry all day long. His greatest achievement is marked by 1560 wickets that he took in first-class cricket. Bedi’s comments on modern-day cricket are vehement. But he remains one of the greatest Indian cricket players. Bedi holds the world record of most economical bowling in 60-over ODI cricket. Bedi’s aggression has led to the inclusion of some of the famous cricketers of India.

Watch Bishan Singh Bedi – The Spin King

Bishan Singh Bedi - The Spin King | Spinners Of India | #AllAboutCricket

12. Vinoo Mankad

Vinoo Mankad Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score	Wickets	Best Bowling
Test	44	5/6	231	162	8/52
First Class	233	26/52	231	782	8/35

A controversial figure in world cricket because he was the first to use the style of dismissing a non-striker batsman. The dismissal process is now called “Mankading,” after his name. Though this style of dismissal has been termed unsporting, yet it is legal by the laws of cricket.

Another record to his credit is that of an opening partnership of 413 runs with Pankaj Roy, set in 1956. Vinoo received Padma Bhushan in 1973 and has a road, south of Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, named in his honor. Vinoo was among the famous cricketers of India. His style of play inspired some of the famous cricketers of India.

Watch Vinoo Mankad best Innings.

Vinoo Mankad: Beauty In Simplicity | Spinners Of India | #AllAboutCricket

11. Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	99	22/21	199
ODI	334	7/58	153*
First Class	229	54/74	226
List A	433	11/85	161*

Popularly known as Azhar, former captain of the Indian cricket team led his clan with elegance. His wrist movement and batting class were the highlights during the 90s decade in India. Though Azhar’s cricketing career met a controversial end, he was later relieved of all the charges put against him.

He even built a political career, winning an MP seat from the constituency of Moradabad. One of the best cricketers of India, Azhar lent an example of how captaincy is not only a part of cricket but life as a whole. He received the Arjuna Award (1986), Padma Shri (1988) and the title of Wisden’s Cricketer of the Year 1991 for his outstanding contributions. As a captain, Azhar is one of the greatest Indian cricketers of all time.

Watch mohammad azharuddin best innings:

Young Azharuddin vs Mighty Pakistan Bowling | Azhar's Brave Match Winning 93 in a Tough Run Chase

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10. Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath Career Stats:

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling
Test	67	263	8/86
ODI	229	315	5/23
First Class	147	533	9/76
List A	290	407	5/23

Best Fast Bowler of India: Javagal Srinath is the first Indian fast bowler to pick out 300 wickets in International cricket. At a time when India was known for Spin bowling, Srinath laid out his example as a Fast pacer. His greatest achievements match with Zaheer Khan and counts as the most number of wickets (44) in World Cup tournaments.

Srinath retired after the 2003 World Cup and took to Umpiring as a career. A legendary Indian cricketer now decides who plays right at the pitch! He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1999 for his contributions to the sport. As a fast bowler, Srinath is one of the most famous cricketers in India

Watch Javagal Srinath top 5 Bowling Performance:

Javagal Srinath Top 5 Bowling Performance

9. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	125	34/45	236
ODI	108	1/27	103*
First Class	348	81/105	340
List A	151	5/37	123

Legends of India: Sunil Gavaskar: Among the best cricketers of India, Gavaskar was the one who shone out. He holds the record of being the first batsman to score more than 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Not only this, but he also set the records of most runs and test centuries as a batsman during his time. Gavaskar also set a standard for slip fielding. He was fondly called Sunny or Little master. His sweet nature coupled with massive accomplishments makes him a delightful inspiration to many. A few memorable moments that have captured his glimpses are Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Memorial Lecture of 2013 and MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture of 2003. 

He was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1980. A cricket stadium in his hometown, a cricket field in Louisville, US and a domestic trophy has been dedicated in his name. He has also authored four books, including his autobiography Sunny Days. Gavaskar’s style of play and list of records making him one of the greatest Indian cricketers to ever walk the grounds.

Also Read: Cricket Related Movies and Web series to Watch

Watch sunil gavaskar best innings

8. Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble Career Stats:

Format	Matches	Wickets	Top Score
Test	132	619	10/74
ODI	271	337	6/12
First Class	244	1136	10/74
List A	380	514	6/12

Best Indian Spinner: Anil Kumble ‘The Jumbo of Indian cricket’, Kumble has always been respected for his excellent demeanor. A highly educated individual who displayed immense intellect even when spin bowled out his opponents. In his times, he was best known for his flippers! Kumble has several records under his belt.

One such record is that of taking 10 wickets in a single Test inning. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1996. Anil received the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri in the years 1995 and 2005 respectively. Anil Kumble is a glorious name in the list calling out the cricket legends of India. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2015. Kumble fueled energy in some of the best cricketers of India today.

Watch Anil Kumble take 10 wickets against pakistan

Anil Kumble 10 wickets record against Pakistan

7. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev Career Stats:

Batting

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score	Wickets	Best Bowling
Test	131	8/27	163	434	9/83
ODI	225	1/14	175*	253	5/43
First Class	275	18/56	193	835	9/83
List A	309	2/23	175*	335	5/43

Bowling

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI
Test	131	434	9/83
ODI	225	253	5/43
FC	275	835	9/83
List A	310	335	5/43

Best All-rounder for India: Kapil Dev. The Haryana Hurricane led the Indian Cricket Team to win the 1983 World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest cricketers ever, Kapil remains the only player to have taken more than 400 wickets as well as score more than 5000 runs. His achievements as an all-rounder have inspired many generations to take up both the bat and ball. Kapil was inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame in March 2010. Indeed, Kapil Dev is one of the cricket legends of India.

He has authored many books like By God’s Decree, Cricket My Style. He has received the Arjuna Award (1979), Padma Shri (1982) and Padma Bhushan. His greatest accomplishment has to be the Wisden title of Indian Cricketer of the 20th Century. He is a mandatory mention in a list that recounts the greatest Indian cricketers of all time.

Watch Kapil Dev’s Classic 100

KAPIL DEV Classic Fearless 100 - PURE GOLD !!

6. Lala Amarnath

Lala Amarnath Career Stats:

Batting

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	24	1/4	118
First Class	184	31/59	262

Bowling

FORMAT	Mat	Wkts	BBI
Test	24	45	5/96
FC	186	463	7/27

Who was the first Indian batsman to score a century in Test cricket? Lala Amarnath was the first Indian batsman to score a century in Test cricket. Lala Amarnath was born in 1911 and grew up to blast centuries in first-class cricket. Widely known for his aggressive batsman-ship, Lala often got stuck in controversies. However, he found ways to be the most suitable to lead the national cricket team of Independent India against Pakistan in the first Test series. Lala received the Padma Bhushan in the year 1991. He was no doubt one of the early cricket legends.

Lala Amarnath, also known as Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj, was the first Indian cricketer to record a century in a Test match and is renowned for his skill on the cricket pitch. His accomplishment was all the more astounding because it only took him one Test to get there. He was the first captain of independent India and the father of Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath, two former cricketers from India.

Watch Lala Amarnath best innings

Lala Amarnath: The Stormy Petrel | The Agent Of Change | #AllAboutCricket

5. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	200	51/68	248*
ODI	463	49/96	200*
First Class	310	81/116	248*
List A	551	60/114	200*

God of Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar: Call him Master Blaster or Little Master, he is the God of Cricket. He debuted at the mere age of 11 and thereon played the sport for around twenty-four years. His unbeatable records include 100 centuries in International cricket, the first batsman to score a double century in ODI and the only player to complete 30000 runs in International cricket. Sachin is the second greatest Test batsman after Don Bradman and ODI batsman after Viv Richards. 

His achievements include the Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Arjuna Award. Several other honorable mentions pride his status as the legendary Indian cricketer. Sachin is not only among the famous cricketers of India but carries worldwide fame.

Watch Sachin tendulkar’s best inning in ODIs First ODI Hundred by Indian in Pakistan

Sachin tendulkar's best inning in ODIs First ODI Hundred by Indian in Pakistan

4. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	46	6/17	203*
First Class	310	33/75	203*

Better known as Tiger Pataudi, Mansoor came from a royal family of Bhopal. He was a prodigy and his capabilities had caught attention during the school days. Though Mansoor met with an accident in 1961 and damaged his one eye, he went on to play with another for the rest of his career. His sheer willpower and class aggression against fast bowlers earned him the title of Tiger. He is remembered as one of the best cricketers in India. He received the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri during his cricketing days. The BCCI Mansoor Ali Khan Memorial Lecture of 2013 reminisced his exemplary contributions. ‘Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’ is a name inscribed in gold on the list of cricket legends of India.

One of India’s finest captains in history was the Nawab of Pataudi. When he was only 21 years old, he took over as captain and commanded his team in 40 of the 46 tests he participated in. For someone who has experienced visual loss in his right eye due to their involvement in an automobile accident, it was a stunning accomplishment. India beat New Zealand in a Test match for the first time under his guidance in 1967. He will always be remembered for leading India to their first away series victory in tests as they went on to win the series 3-1. In that year, Pataudi was named the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

Watch Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi best innings

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: The Revolutionist | The Agents Of Change | #AllAboutCricket

3. Vijay Merchant

Vijay Merchant Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	10	3/3	154
First Class	150	45/52	359*

The dominator of domestic cricket, Vijay signified Indian strength with his run-scoring talent. His batting average of 71.64 is the second-highest in history, behind Don Bradman. The magnificence of his batsman-ship can be understood by cricketer C.B Fry’s words, “Let us paint him white and take him with us to Australia as an opener.” This statement was more than a catch of humor, it remarked on his ability to influence his opponents. His competitive rivalry with another great Indian batsman Vijay Merchant still lives in the memories of millions. Merchant remains one of the greatest Indian cricketers of all time.

Despite having a nearly 18-year Test career, he only played in 10 Tests for India. He was scheduled to make his Test debut against England in India’s inaugural match in 1932, but he withdrew in support of the Indian leaders who had been imprisoned during the country’s Civil Disobedience Movement. In 1933–34, Merchant finally made his debut against England. He began his Test career as a middle-order batsman but quickly transitioned to the opening position, where he remained till the conclusion of his career.

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2. Vijay Hazare

Vijay Hazare Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	30	7/9	164*
First Class	238	60/73	316*

Born in 1915, Vijay Hazare was regarded as one India’s premier cricket legends. His records outshone him throughout his career. He was the first Indian to score a triple century in first-class cricket. Also, the first Indian player to complete 1000 runs in Test cricket. Hazare’s legacy has been honored with a trophy in his name. He along with Jasu Patel was the first cricketers to receive the Padma Shri. Vijay stands out as one of the greatest Indian cricketers ever to be born.

Vijay Hazare, the leader who guided India to its maiden Test victory, took part in 30 Tests for his country. Hazare can be credited for establishing the Bombay school of batsmanship as a fundamental component of Indian cricket in its early years, together with his arch-rival and teammate Vijay Merchant.

Watch Vijay Hazare best innings

Vijay Merchant: The Bradman Of The East | Our Glorious Openers | #AllAboutCricket

1. CK Nayudu

CK Nayudu Career Stats:

Format	Matches	100s/50s	Top Score
Test	7	0/2	81
First Class	207	26/58	200

Born in 1895, Nayudu grew up to become the first captain of the Indian cricket team in Test matches. At the tender age of 7, Nayudu showed the signs of a promising batsman. Well known for his stance and leading caliber, Nayudu laid the foundation stones of cricket in India. His contributions were recognized by MCC with a silver bat. The Indian government honored him post-independence with the Padma Bhushan in 1956. Nayudu was not only one of the greatest Indian cricketers, but also one of the most famous cricketers of India.

Colonel Cottari Kanakaiya Naidu, sometimes known as CK Naidu, deserves credit if the foundations of Indian cricket are still solid in the contemporary period. When India played their first Test against England at Lords in 1932, he served as their captain. In Nagpur, CK Nayudu began his cricketing career. He made an impact after being chosen for the Hislop Collegiate High school team. In 1916, he made his first-ever class appearance at the Bombay Triangular competition. During the MCC tour in 1926, Nayudu and India experienced a crucial turning point. In the Hindus were having some issues during the MCC vs. Hindus match at the Bombay Gymkhana, but Nayudu’s blazing 153 in just 116 minutes altered the course of the game.

Watch CK Nayudu best innings

Film about C K Nayudu, Vinoo Mankad, Musthak Ali, Vijay Merchant - Grand Masters of Indian Cricket

Now that you know who all are some Greatest Cricketers of all time why dont you go forward and read about some of the Best & Famous Hockey Players of India with Career Stats