India is not shy of its reputation as a diehard cricket-loving nation. Cricket games in India attract millions of eyeballs with punters leveraging bookmakers like Melbet (reviewed on https://www.telecomasia.net/sports-betting/reviews/melbet/mobile-app/) for the most attractive cricket odds.
That said, it is worth mentioning that India has given the sport some of its greatest batsmen.
In their cricket careers, these players have accomplished more than enough, and they will always be recognized for their brilliant game performances.
This article highlights five of these batsmen who, through their accomplishments, made their fellow Indians proud to refer to them as fellow countrymen.
- Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar has gained several names throughout his more than 24 years of international cricket, including “The God of Cricket” and “Master Blaster” since making his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan at just 16 years.
Tendulkar has consistently batted brilliantly and has single-handedly led the squad to numerous victories.
His love and devotion to the game have brought him numerous honors, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
In a 2010 ODI match against South Africa, he became the first player to reach a double-century in the ODI format, which stands as one of the most evident reminders of his hard-hitting abilities.
His stats stand at 34,347 runs, 164 half centuries and 100 centuries, and 663 ODI and Test matches played. Together with his team, Tendulkar won the ICC World Cup in 2011 and retired in November 2013.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar, one of the elder statesmen of Indian cricket, was a member of the storied squad that captured India’s first World Cup in 1983. Gavaskar, who was admired for his focus, power, and nearly impenetrable defense, was a bowler’s worst nightmare.
His outstanding efforts against the West Indies team during those years, when they fielded one of the most potent bowling assaults, are particularly well-remembered.
In fact, he scored 220 runs in a Test match against the Windies in his first series against West Indies, which was his finest performance to date.
Gavaskar was honored by the President of India with the prestigious Padmi Bhushan and Padmi Shri for his contributions to Indian cricket, and in 2009, the ICC welcomed him into its Hall of Fame.
Throughout his career, Gavaskar scored 13,214 runs, 72 half centuries, and 35 centuries in 233 ODI and Test matches. He pulled the plug on his career in November 1987.
3. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was famed for his patience and laser-sharp focus. He was a strong proponent of endurance and hard effort and was the team’s most reliable batsman.
He had a reputation for being incredibly dependable and had shielded the squad from countless blows at crucial game moments, giving him the moniker “The Wall.”
Such was his prowess that during a test match versus Pakistan, he once held the wicket for 12 hours straight out of team necessity. He also could swirl the bat wide and high when the situation called for it.
Dravid joined the Indian national team in April 1996 and retired in January 2012. During his career, he scored a total of 24,177 runs with 146 half centuries and 48 centuries in 508 ODI and Test matches.
4. Virender Sehwag
Some in the cricketing community have referred to Sehwag as Tendulkar’s “clone” due to his striking resemblance to the latter’s posture and aggressiveness on the field.
He has established several milestones that other batsmen can only hope to achieve in a career full of risk-taking batting without concern about losing his wicket.
Sehwag was the first Indian batsman to ever record a triple century and afterward added another one. He scored 219 runs against the West Indies with six overs remaining and was also given credit for the greatest ODI run total during that time. He won the ICC World Cup in 2011 and retired in 2013.
5. MS Dhoni
Dhoni, one of the team’s most innovative captains, deserves particular credit for the high levels of fitness that are now expected of Indian players. Under his direction, the squad experimented with creative plays that frequently threw the opposition off guard.
Dhoni who isn’t exactly a technical player had developed a batting style of his own that largely served him well. He is renowned for popularizing the “helicopter shot” and depends on strength and quickness between the wickets to score runs.
He always performed admirably under duress and had a propensity for scoring goals to end games. Additionally, he has guided the group to several significant triumphs, including the 2011 ICC world and the 2007 T20 World Cup.
MS Dhoni featured in 440 ODI and Test matches, scoring 15,649 runs. Notably, he has 106 half centuries and 16 centuries. Having joined the Indian national team in December 2004, he retired in July 2019.