All IPL owners are expected to bid in sale of The Hundred teams for a minority stake and change the name of franchises. This would add to the list of growing influence of IPL teams in world franchise cricket—CPL, SA20, MLC, ILT20.
Jay Shah becomes the youngest chair of the ICC, unanimously elected. Three of the last 4 ICC chairs have been Indian. In the last 15 years, Sharad Pawar (as president), N Srinivasan, Shashank Manohar, and Jay Shah have served at the highest ranked ICC position.
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What Should India’s Role Be in the World?
India has clearly solidified its status as both a soft and hard power in world cricket now. One can even say that the BCCI has become a quasi-monopoly.
Now that it has established its dominance, what’s next? One question that currently keeps me up at night is,
“What should India’s role be in the cricketing world?”
Should the BCCI be doing more for the cricket world or should they act solely for Indian cricket’s self-interest?
Based on the current trajectory, there are three distinct possibilities how India’s reign will turn out:
(1) Absolute power corrupts the BCCI absolutely and results in the complete downfall of the ICC and international cricket as a whole.
(2) The BCCI focuses on enriching Indian cricket only, and the IPL becomes an all year round phenomenon.
(3) Indian cricket administration takes a vocal role in expansion of cricket in the world, leads the revival of cricket in smaller nations, and takes them along as the BCCI grows financially.
Since the first point is an extreme case, we will rule this out for the rest of our discussion and direct our focus on the final two points.
We will explore what can happen if the BCCI only focuses on its self-interest by utilizing Adam Smith’s ‘invisible hand,’ dig deeper into the possibility of India helping other nations by employing Smith’s ‘impartial spectator’ & Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ‘mirror,’ and keep up the hope of India becoming world cricket’s ‘Brother’s Keeper’ by studying this Bible verse as well as a Sanskrit shlok.
The Invisible Hand
Imagine you are having a lavish dinner at a restaurant. The chefs, waiters, and all the other staff are at your service with a smile. The food is delicious.
All in all, a great time.
But let’s hold back a moment and reflect—Did you come to the restaurant to help the chefs and waiters?
No.
You went there only to enjoy a nice meal and have a good evening. Did the chef and waiters do their best only to please you?
Probably not. They were doing their duty, and you happened to be a beneficiary.
And that folks is what Adam Smith calls the ‘invisible hand.’ Smith states that it is “not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest” (Theory of Moral Sentiments). Basically the implicit idea behind free market capitalism.
We can apply this same idea to how Indian cricket can proceed in the future. Contrary to the popular belief, the BCCI can choose to only focus on the betterment of Indian cricket, and it might actually not turn out to be a bad thing for the rest of the nations.
If Indian cricket and the brand value of the IPL grows, the pay checks will get bigger, the standard of facilities will rise, and more people in the world (even non-cricketers) will gain employment. Overseas cricketers and coaches will become better, young kids from around the world will pick up cricket as a sport organically, and the sport will grow competitive with abundant prospering talent.
Choice 1: Follow your own interests, and the others will grow as a by product.
I Am My Brother’s Keeper
While self-preservation can be a driver for progress, on the opposite end of the spectrum is using power as a tool to help others.
A passage from Ezekiel 25:17 in The Bible embodies this idea perfectly,
“Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper, and the finder for lost children.”
Much of cricket’s problems stem from the imbalance between the different nations. Poorer financial health, unstable governments, lack of domestic awareness.
Bangladesh promises yet never delivers, West Indies excites with an underlying sense of nostalgic disappointment, Pakistan is well…Pakistan, Kenya disappeared, and Zimbabwe is as close to the rope of disappearing as Suryakumar’s catch was on the 29th of June.
Maybe a better redistribution of wealth, an odd tri-series with India as a participant, more TV rights, etc. can help tip the scales back in balance.
A prominent Sanskrit Shlok captures this sentiment:
“Sarve Bhavantu Sukinha” May all be happy
“Sarve Santu Nirayamaya” May all be free from illness
“Sarve Badryani Pashyantu” May all see what is auspicious
“Maa Kaschid-Dukha-Bhaag-Bhavet” May no one suffer
“Ohm Shanti Shanti Shanti” Om Peace, Peace, Peace
The world is a better place when everybody prospers and nobody suffers.
If we focus on doing good for the larger masses of people, then the society will benefit and in turn, the individual will be prosper as well. In our scenario, if the BCCI makes their aim to help cricket grow as a sport worldwide and use their monetary power to support other struggling nations, then it will help them in the longterm as well.
Choice 2: The ones in power have a moral obligation to help others for the sake of doing the right thing.
Individuality Versus The Collective Good
Let’s not be naive.
There is no way that the BCCI takes ownership of becoming the cricket world’s caretaker. Or is there?
Human beings are complicated.
We are not merely satisfied by our own successes. What do we sometimes value more?
External validation.
Rousseau describes this aptly—“Social man lives always outside himself, he knows how to live only in the opinion of others…from their judgment alone that he derives the sense of his own existence” (Discourse on Inequality). We do not judge ourselves honestly. Rather, we take society as a mirror and judge ourselves as a reflection to others.
This is where things get interesting. By all objective measures, India is doing well. They are winning World Cups, have the approval of billions of fans, and have the power.
But you can sense that the BCCI wants something more. They are trying everything to be a little bit bigger, better, grander (see: Building a 100,000 spectator stadium to host the World Cup final….).
So with self-interest and external validation as the chief motivators, is India heading in the wrong direction?
Not quite.
And this is where Adam Smith comes back to the picture.
Impartial Spectator
Smith partially agrees with Rousseau that individuals do not necessarily uplift others for the sake of uplifting others.
He asserts that it is “not the soft power of humanity” or the “feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lightened up in the human heart.”
Rather, it is a “stronger power, a more forcible motive. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the beast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.”
He calls this strong internal force—The impartial spectator from which “we learn the real littleness of ourselves…and the natural misrepresentations of self-love.”
Smith argues that this impartial spectator, that we each have within us, is what “prompts [us] to sacrifice [our] own interests to the greater interests of others.” The impartial spectator is a realization that we are flawed beings, and that is okay. We can have selfish desires, and it is natural that we judge ourselves based on what others will think. We don’t have to try to be perfect and do the right thing all the time.
But deep down, an impartial spectator will guide us to go to greater heights and inspire us to becoming altruistic beings.
The BCCI will make mistakes. They will try to promote Indian cricket interests like never before. It may seem that they are only helping other cricket boards or donating to charities for a photo-op (or tax breaks), but every now and then, they will end up doing the right thing and sacrifice for the greater good due to the impartial spectator (the inner checks & balances in this case).
Choice 3: Even if it feels that going all in and fighting for individual gain is the right way to go, sometimes an inner voice will force us to do the right thing for everybody.
Nash from CricBlog podcast had an interesting perspective. Although the BCCI is set to receive an absurd 38% from ICC’s pie in the next cycle, that is still a sacrifice given the BCCI provides about 90% of revenue in the first place.
.@NashvSant with his take on the 38% India receives from the ICC's revenue distribution model. Thoughts?
🚨 Listen to full episodes of The CricBlog Podcast 🚨
I will leave you with this final thought from Robert Frost’s acclaimed poem,
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I couldn’t travel both…and,
I took the one that’s less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Which road will Jay Shah, and the BCCI take?
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My Two Cents
Money is power, and power corrupts, but all that is powerful may not be corrupt.
As outsiders, we always assume the worst in others, especially those in power. But maybe, we ought to give them a chance.
Although Choice 1 seems the most realistic, and Choice 2 the most idealistic, I think Choice 3 is where we will end up being.
Personally, I like Choice 2 the best. I like to see the best in people believe that deep down, we all want to help others without expecting anything in return.
Picture a future where cricketers from other countries do not retire prematurely to take up another job. A future where the Netherlands and Scotland are just as worthy prospects as England are for the annual Euro Cup. A future where the BCCI sets cricket camps funds domestic 4-day tournaments around the world. A future where they use abundant resources to help other sports in a country grow.
Some of this is already happening. Although it happened 3-5 years too late, investing in the Women’s Premier League was the step in the right direction. Other examples including increase support for groundsmen and staff, raising Ranji trophy salaries, and distributing wealth to the Indian Olympians at Paris.
I am proud to announce that the @BCCI will be supporting our incredible athletes representing #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign.
To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳…
I am pleased to announce prize money of INR 125 Crores for Team India for winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The team has showcased exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and support… pic.twitter.com/KINRLSexsD
When the two biggest sporting leagues in the world unite!
BCCI Honorary Secretary, Mr. @JayShah, visited the @NFL headquarters in New York to meet with Commissioner Mr. Roger Goodell and his distinguished team. This introductory meeting focused on sharing… pic.twitter.com/beWeqFEOJi
The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions. As a token of our appreciation, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25…
Do you know how many undergraduate collegiate varsity cricket teams exist in the United States?
ONE.
You read that right. Haverford College in Pennsylvania is the only American institution that has an official varsity cricket team (more on them later).
As we learned from Avinash’s journey earlier, America has numerous cricket clubs across the country. In addition, there is the National College Cricket Association and the American College Cricket League. However, neither are officially affiliated with USA’s official body to regulate university sport, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
If cricket has any chance of survival and wants to be considered a professional sport in the USA, it has to make an effort to become a part of the NCAA sporting fraternity.
What is the NCAA?
The NCAA is a member-led non-profit organization that regulates university sports in the United States.
In the 1904 American college football season, 18 college athletes died and another 159 were injured.
Something had to be done.
So, President Theodore Roosevelt called upon the major universities to regulate football. Several athletic leaders met, 62 colleges signed the inaugural charter, and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) was born, which would later be renamed as the NCAA in 1910.
In 1973, NCAA’s current structure of Division I-III sports was established.
In 2022, Division I NCAA institutions reported a revenue of $17.5 billion, $11.2 billion of which was generated by the athletic departments themselves and $6.3 billion came from government and student fees.
In the same year, Division I institutions also reported spending$17.1 billion. $3 billion of which were spent on student financial aid and $3.3 billion was spent on coach compensation.
Apart from student financial aid and coach compensation, NCAA helps fund sports camps, facilities, medical, recruiting, game travel, etc.
Note: This is only Division I data. More money is spend overall in NCAA sports if we also consider Division II & III.
How NCAA Include a New Sport?
I wanted to learn how a new sport can become a part of the NCAA program.
The Emerging Sports Program for Women is one such program that aims to provide more athletic opportunities for women and can help a new sport achieve NCAA championship status.
The Emerging Sports Program for Women
To learn how cricket can be part of the NCAA, I reached out to the NCAA themselves and asked the following questions:
What is the process for a sport to become NCAA recognized?
What is the timeline like, and is there data available for how long it took each sport to complete the NCAA eligibility (both men’s and women’s)?
Has any organization applied for cricket to become a NCAA sport?
According to the Associate Director of Communications of the NCAA,
“Any sport can be considered” to be a part of the NCAA. However, she had not yet “heard of [cricket’s] application for the emerging sports program.”
After a sporting organization submits the initial application,
“The Committee on Women’s Athletics will review the proposal to determine if it is granted entrance to the Emerging Sports for Women program.”
How Can An Emerging Sport Reach NCAA Championship Status?
At least 20 NCAA active members must sponsor the sport at varsity or club level
These members need to demonstrate at least 5 intercollegiate contests during an academic year
At least 10 letters of commitment are needed from members to sponsor the sport at the varsity level in the year under review
The institution’s chancellor/president, the director of athletics, and senior women administrator must sign the commitment
Supporting materials for the application include:
Budget, Roster size, full-time/part-time coaches, description of facilities, competition opportunities, ‘relationship with sport governing body/organization’
Suggested NCAA regulations (Playing Rules, Financial Aid limits, etc.)
Data (Injury Rates, Health/Safety, Ethnicity/Race, High school participation rates, etc.)
The organization can also submit additional documents from the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic committees, professional sport organizations, etc.
A sport has 10 years from the time it becomes an emerging women’s sport to get to 40 active members, after which it can apply for the NCAA championship status.
What is the Application Process?
A representative of the national governing body must submit an interest form and an official application. Applications open between May 1-August 1 each year, and a sport can apply every two years if is not accepted.
Her final question to me was,
“Have you worked with the governing body for Cricket in the U.S.?
I have not yet worked with the governing body for Cricket in the U.S., but if we are serious about making a collective push for cricket to be included in the NCAA, one of us has to reach out to USA cricket and officially apply for the Emerging Sports program.
Beach volleyball (2015), bowling (2003), water polo (2000), ice hockey (1996), and rowing (1996) have all achieved NCAA championship status recently. Women’s wrestling is on track to become the next one.
Currently, acrobatics & tumbling, equestrian, rugby, stunt, and triathlon are other sports to have become part of the emerging program.
According to an ESPN article, Haverford’s “cricket team also has a unique quirk: It’s the only collegiate varsity team in the country.”
Cricket has a rich history at Haverford College dating back to the 1850s. Kamran Khan, a former Pakistan and USA player, has helped coach the team and increase its popularity in recent decades.
Final Thoughts: Are Things Moving in the Right Direction for USA Cricket?
Apart from USA cricket’s administrative issues, cricket seems to be moving in the right direction in America.
Major League Cricket (MLC) has had a couple of successful season, US co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup World Cup, and cricket is now a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Support from the Indian diaspora, IPL teams, and Australian partnerships have all proved to be fruitful, and the MLC has largely avoided going the way of previous failed attempts to bring cricket to the US.
The initial impetus has been provided, but it has still not become a part of the general American sporting experience.
Lots of promising players are coming up in the American circuit. However, if financial aid, proper facilities, and incentive to continue playing cricket are not provided, talent may switch to other sports.
Therefore, if cricket has to succeed or even stay remotely relevant in the American market, it has to break through the American college market first.
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That was my tidbits, what do you think should be done to grow cricket in America? Comment below and share ahead. Thanks for reading!
If you like reading about Cricket in America, you may also like:
What is greatness? William Shakespeare once aptly said,
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”
Today we discuss the greatest Indian cricketers of all-time across formats and eras. Some of them are born geniuses. Others toiled their way to greatness, one ball at a time.
Let’s be honest, we have all done this exercise in our head a few times in our lives. However, with India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, the nation now has new heroes.
We considered over 150 cricketers who have represented India in the last 130 years and came up with the Top 60.
Here is sneak peek—Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni have been chosen as the Top 5 Greatest Indian cricketers of all-time.
We looked at India’s major victories and which players contributed to those triumphs. This includes famous Test wins, T20 & ODI World Cup wins, Champions Trophy, etc.
World Cup Wins: 1983 ODI World Cup, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup
Other ICC Wins: 2002 Champions Trophy, 2013 Champions Trophy
Runners Up: 2000 Champions Trophy, 2003 ODI World Cup, 2014 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, 2023 ODI World Cup
Major Test Series Victories: India Tour of England 1971, India Tour of England 1986, Australia Tour of India 2001, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21
For cricketers who played before the 1970s, we considered anecdotal references and stories as well as first class statistics.
Statistics
We considered statistics across formats in each of the areas: batting, bowling, fielding, keeping, and captaincy.
Most Wickets
Test
ODI
T20I
A Kumble (619)
A Kumble (334)
Y Chahal (96)
R Ashwin (516)
J Srinath (315)
B Kumar (90)
K Dev (434)
A Agarkar (288)
J Bumrah (89)
H Singh (417)
Z Khan (269)
H Pandya (86)
I Sharma (311)
H Singh (265)
A Singh (83)
Z Khan (311)
K Dev (253)
R Ashwin (72)
R Jadeja (294)
R Jadeja (220)
K Yadav (69)
B Bedi (266)
V Prasad (196)
A Patel (62)
B Chandrashekar (242)
M Shami (195)
R Jadeja (54)
J Srinath (236)
I Pathan (173)
R Bishnoi (48)
Most Runs
Test
ODI
T20I
S Tendulkar (15921)
S Tendulkar (18426)
R Sharma (4231)
R Dravid (13265)
V Kohli (13872)
V Kohli (4188)
S Gavaskar (10122)
S Ganguly (11221)
SK Yadav (2432)
V Kohli (8848)
R Dravid (10768)
KL Rahul (2265)
VVS Laxman (8781)
R Sharma (10767)
S Dhawan (1759)
V Sehwag (8503)
MS Dhoni (10599)
MS Dhoni (1617)
S Ganguly (7212)
M Azharuddin (9378)
S Raina (1605)
C Pujara (7195)
Y Singh (8609)
H Pandya (1523)
D Vengsarkar (6868)
V Sehwag (7995)
R Pant (1209)
M Azharuddin (6215)
S Dhawan (6793)
Y Singh (1177)
Most Matches As Captain
*Matches Won/Matches Captained
Test
ODI
T20I
V Kohli (40/68)
MS Dhoni (110/200)
MS Dhoni (41/72)
MS Dhoni (27/60)
M Azharuddin (90/174)
R Sharma (49/62)
S Ganguly (21/49)
S Ganguly (76/146)
V Kohli (30/50)
M Azharuddin (14/47)
V Kohli (65/95)
H Pandya (10/16)
S Gavaskar (9/47)
R Dravid (42/79)
SK Yadav (7//10)
Most Dismissals As Keeper
Test
ODI
T20I
MS Dhoni (294)
MS Dhoni (438)
MS Dhoni (91)
S Kirmani (198)
N Mongia (154)
R Pant (49)
R Pant (133)
K More (90)
D Karthik (27)
K More (130)
R Dravid (86)
S Samson (13)
N Mongia (107)
KL Rahul (56)
I Kishan (12)
Most Catches
Test: R Dravid (209), VVS Laxman (135), S Tendulkar (115), V Kohli (111), S Gavaskar (108)
ODI: M Azharuddin (156), V Kohli (151), S Tendulkar (140), R Dravid (124), S Raina (102)
T20I: R Sharma (65), V Kohli (54), H Pandya (47), SK Yadav (45), S Raina (42)
The Honorable Mentions
Future Stars
These players were not considered in the list (currently), but will most likely be considered greats of Indian cricket by the time they retire.
Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal (712 runs in a series, wow!), Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul
For each cricketer listed, we considered the number of international matches played across formats (longevity), player of match/series awards (impact), notable achievements (specific Test series & World Cup stats), and if they captained India, played 100 Tests, and/or won a World Cup.
If a retired player satisfies any of the following criteria, then they automatically make the list:
9 Player of the Match Awards
300+ International Wickets
10000+ International Runs
*Note: Shri Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji, two of the greatest cricketers of Indian origin after whom the ‘Ranji’ and ‘Duleep’ trophies are named, do not feature in this list because they represented England in their international career.
Without taking any more of your time, let’s go!
60. Kiran More (1984-1993, Baroda)
Role: Wicketkeeper/Batter
A constant figure behind the stumps for India in the late eighties, More will be remembered for the most stumpings in a match (6) in Narendra Hirwani’s debut Test where he took 16 wickets.
Matches Played: 143
Runs: 1848
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 4th Most Dismissals in Test for India
Possibly the best forward short-leg fielder of all-time, his contribution cannot be understated in uplifting India’s spin quartet. Has one Test century to his name, 8 FC tons, and 276 FC wickets.
Matches: 34
Runs: 1095, Wickets: 22
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 53 catches in 27 Tests, the best ratio for a non-wicketkeeper.
The highest T20I wicket-taker for India…and has yet, never played a single T20 WC game. Was not picked for 2021 T20WC and was on the sidelines of the others (including 2024). However, it was ODI cricket between 2016-2019, where the duo of Chahal-Kuldeep became a deadly combination. Lack of batting prowess probably hurt his ability to find a place in the XI more often.
Matches Played: 152
Wickets: 217
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Highest wicket-taker in T20Is for India (96)
5359 runs at 37.47 average with 6 ODIs in the lower middle order, Jadeja will be remembered for match-winning knocks, quick finishes, and athletic fielding. International career ended due to match-fixing investigations.
Matches: 211
Runs: 5935
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 50 dismissals to his name in ODIs to go along with 5000 runs
Pivotal to India’s maiden Test series victory in England, Sardesai had a fruitful 1971. 789 runs at 60.69 with three centuries. Also had a spectacular 1965, averaging 120 in 3 Tests against New Zealand.
Matches Played: 30
Runs: 2001
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 642 Runs in West Indies (1970-71), 449 vs England (1963-64), scored 200* as his first hundred
Solid batter, had a great record against New Zealand – 507 runs at 84.5 with 3 centuries and England – 1181 runs at 43.74 with 3 centuries and 5 fifties.Scored 38 first class tons.
Matches Played: 55
Runs: 3208
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 586 runs vs England (1961-62), Scored 100 in final Test
India’s best wicketkeeper before Kirmani. Had the challenge to keep to the Fab 4 spin quartet. Handy batter himself, scored 2 Test hundreds and 16 fifties.
Matches Played: 51
Runs: 2725
Player of Match Awards: 2 (1 ‘fielder of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Took 66 catches and inflicted 16 stumpings in Tests.
Now known for his public speaking abilities, it was Sidhu’s bat that did the talking in the late 80s and early 90s. Could hit sixes at will and established a formidable career as an opener. Has a double century to his name in the West Indies.
Matches Played: 187
Runs: 7615
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Scored four consecutive centuries in the 1987 ODI WC
Player of the series in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, Shastri won several matches for India in his career. Scored 11 Test hundreds including a 206 in Sydney along with 11 four-wicket hauls in Tests. Later, coached Team India and lives in the hearts & minds of Indian cricket fans through his voice.
Matches Played: 230
Wickets: 280, Runs: 6938
Player of Match Awards: 14
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅ (11 ODIs, 1 Test)
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 77.75 average vs Australia (10 Tests), Player of the series (World Championship of Cricket)
Was the central figure behind the stumps in the seventies and eighties. Kept for India’s spin quartet, the dibbly dobbly medium pacers, and Kapil Dev. Two Test tons to his name as well.
Matches Played: 137
Runs: 3132
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 3rd Most stumpings in a career.
India’s captain in the overseas 1971 Test victories over England and West Indies.Although he only had a solitary hundred in Test cricket (143), he dominated FC cricket: 15380 runs at 47.03 average and 36 centuries.
Matches Played: 39
Runs: 2186
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Got close to Test hundred several times: 99, 91*, 91, 87, 85, 80.
Uncoventional, yet effective. Pant may rise up this list as his career grows, but he has already made a case for himself with his exploits in Test cricket, especially against Australia. 89* at the Gabba, 97 at Sydney (2021), 159* also at Sydney (2019), 146 at Birmingham, and 114 at the Oval. Also to make an international comeback and and help India lift the 2024 T20WC squad after the accident that changed his life around is a wonderful story on its own. Short career so far, but impactful nevertheless.
Matches Played: 139
Runs: 4345
Player of Match Awards: 4
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Joint Most dismissal in a Test match (11 vs Australia, 2018), Six times dismissed in the 90s in Test cricket
43. Krishnamachari Srikkanth (1981-1992, Tamil Nadu)
Role: Batter
Before Sehwag, there was Srikkanth. Scoring 4091 ODI runs with 4 hundreds at 71.74 SR (quick for the time) established him as India’s mainstay at the top of the order. Top scored in the 1983 WC Final.
Matches Played: 189
Runs: 6153
Player of Match Awards: 13
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Has a high score of 123 in both Tests and ODIs, Most Runs in World Championship of Cricket (1985)
Ishant Sharma’s spell against Ricky Pontinghad everyone convinced that India had found their next fast bowling sensation. Did he fulfill his potential? Maybe, maybe not. Described as ‘unlucky’ for early part of the career, the 2011 series against West Indies rejuvenated his Test career. He would go on to establish himself as the leader of the attack with a magnificent 7/74 at Lord’s in 2014.
Matches Played: 199
Wickets: 434
Player of Match Awards: 6
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 22 wickets vs West Indies (2011)
One of India’s most gifted swing bowlers.Set the tone in ODI cricket. Had his best Test against England at Lord’s in 2014 when he took 6/82. Also made several crucial runs at #8.
Matches Played: 229
Wickets: 294
Player of Match Awards: 11
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 4th Most Maidens in T20I career (10)
Scored India’s first Test ton (and his only 100) and was independent India’s first Test captain. Also scored 31 first class hundreds and took 463 wickets to go along with 10,426 FC runs. A prominent figure in India’s early cricket history and contributed through various roles after his cricketing career.
Matches Played: 24
Runs: 878
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored India’s first Test hundred
Went onto score 112 during the partnership of 203 with Vijay Merchant, becoming the first Indian to score an overseas Test hundred. Had an outstanding FC career with 30 tons and over 13,000 runs.
Matches Played: 11
Runs: 612
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored India’s first overseas Test century, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is named after him
Not being picked for most of his 20s, Suryakumar Yadav has made the most of his opportunities since 2021. 2432* T20I runswith 4 T20I hundreds, 20 fifties, 168.65 SR at 42.66 average not only make him India’s premier T20 batter, but one of the best T20I batters of all-time.
Matches Played: 109
Runs: 3213
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Most Player of the Match Awards in T20Is (16), 2nd Most T20I runs in a year (1164 in 2022)
India’s number 4-5-6 of Yuvraj-Dhoni-Raina is one of the most dynamic middle orders of all-time. Raina had it all, the off spin, the fielding, and the batting. His clutch finishes in the 2011 QF and SF will be remembered for generations to come. 5615 ODI runs at 93.5 SR establishes him as an ODI great.
Matches Played: 322
Runs: 7988
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Hit century on Test debut (120), First Indian to score a century in each format
Mohammad Shami in the ODI World Cups is a legendary figure. 55 wickets, best of 7/57 at the best average (13.52) and best strike rate (15.81) of anyone in the list. Don’t forget his memorable spells in Test cricket either.
Matches Played: 188
Wickets: 448
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 5th Most Wickets in ODI World Cups (55)
Possibly India’s most misunderstood cricketer, Gautam Gambhir’s performances at clutch times established him as the batter of his times. The 2007 T20 WC Final, 2011 ODI WC Final, and the stonewalling 137 against New Zealand will be remembered as his most prominent knocks.
Matches Played: 242
Runs: 10324
Player of Match Awards: 15
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Highest Individual Scorer in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final (75) and the 2011 ODI World Cup Final (97), 463 runs vs Australia (2008-09), 445 runs vs New Zealand (2008-09)
Considered one of India’s greatest captains. Led India in its first overseas Test win (NZ, 1967).
Matches Played: 46
Runs: 2793
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘batsman of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1968), Made 64 (206) and 148 (348) at #6 vs England in 1967. This still stands as a record for the most number of balls played by a #6 batter in the history of Test cricket (554).
Although Venkataraghavan had 1390 wickets in his first class career, he was often left out as the fourth of the spin quartet. Yet he played for 18 years and took 156 Test wickets. Was India’s captain in the 1975 & 1979 ODI World Cups.
Matches Played: 72
Wickets: 161
Player of Match Awards: 0
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅ (7 Tests, 5 ODIs)
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Best of 8/72 vs New Zealand (1965), took 35 wickets in the 1970-71 season
Will always be remembered for the player of the match in the 1983 ODI WC that changed the nature of Indian cricket. Was a stellar batter in his own right. In the 1982 season, he scored 1077 runs, 4 hundreds, and 7 fifties.
Matches Played: 154
Runs: 6302, Wickets: 78
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Player of the 1983 World Cup Final, 598 runs vs West Indies (1982-83), 584 vs Pakistan (1982-83), 445 runs vs Australia (1977-78), 237 runs & 8 wickets in 1983 ODI WC
Yet another member of the famed quartet, Prasanna was known for his flight. Dominated the Trans-Tasman teams in the late 1960s and the main contributor to India’s first Test overseas victory in New Zealand. He was a beast at the FC level, 957 wickets and 54,823 balls bowled. He was also an engineer.
Matches Played: 49
Wickets: 189
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘bowler of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 26 Wickets vs Australia (1969-70), 25 Wickets vs Australia (1967-68), 24 Wicket vs New Zealand (1967-68), 8/76 vs New Zealand
A player for the ICC tournaments like no other. Shikhar Dhawan between 2013-2019 was one of India’s prime match winners. Unfortunate injury in the 2019 World Cup ended his stint at the top, but not before he scored yet another magnificent century. Formed the star top order with Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli.
Matches Played: 269
Runs: 10867
Player of Match Awards: 19
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 187 on Test debut, Player of the Series & Most Runs – 2013 Champions Trophy, Most Runs – 2017 Champions Trophy, Highest Runs for India – 2015 ODI World Cup, Scored 5193 runs with Rohit Sharma
Marred by polio, Chandrasekhar had a different sort of jumpy action. The fact that he established a career is astonishing by itself. That he took 242 Test wickets, 42 in overseas conditions, is even more staggering.
Matches Played: 59
Wickets: 245
Player of Match Awards: 1 (‘bowler of the match’)
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 35 wickets vs England (1972-73), 28 Wickets vs Australia (1977-78), Best of 8/79 vs England (1972), 16 career 50fers
The Ashes documentary sums up the significance of Cheteshwar Pujara pretty well. ‘This man just bats…and bats…and bats…’ India will always remain indebted to Pujara for their first Test series victory in Australia in 2018. And in the 2020-21 series, he was just as gritty, assured, and monumental to India’s win. With 100 Tests and 19 hundreds to his name, he is has become a certified legend.
Matches Played: 108
Runs: 7246
Player of Match Awards: 6
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India?❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 521 runs vs Australia (2018-2019)
One of the more stylish batters, Viswanath was a mainstay of the Indian middle order for much of the 1970s. His name is connected to Sunil Gavaskar in more ways than one.
Matches Played: 116
Runs: 6519
Player of Match Awards: 2
Player of Series Awards: 0
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅ (2 Tests, 1 ODI)
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 568 runs vs West Indies (1974-75), 518 runs vs Australia (1979-1980), 497 vs West Indies (1978-79), 473 vs Australia (1977-78), 466 vs England (1981-82), Scored a century on debut
A man with three FC triple centuries batting at #8 shows you the depth in Indian cricket. Jadeja can finish T20 games, can score 77 in an ODI World Cup semi-final, destroy opponents with his spin or with his iconic direct hits. An all-rounder in all sense of the game. Currently #7 on India’s most Test & ODI wicket-taker list and still rising up the charts. 25 player of the match awards – Wow!
Matches Played: 343
Wickets: 568, Runs: 6307
Player of Match Awards: 25
Player of Series Awards: 2
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 26 Wickets vs England (2016-17), 26 Wickets vs Australia (2016-17), 24 Wickets vs Australia (2012-13), 23 wickets vs South Africa (2015-16), Best of 7/42 vs Australia (2023), Most Wickets in the 2013 Champions Trophy
India’s 2011 World Cup is remembered by many moments—Dhoni’s 97* and the six, Gambhir’s 91, Yuvraj Singh’s all-round performances, Suresh Raina’s crucial finishes, Tendulkar’s hundreds. But none of it would be possible without Zaheer Khan’s 21 wickets (joint most of the WC). His Test career was pretty stellar as well with 311 wickets. His stellar record against Graeme smith, the swing, his action, and celebrations will be what he is remembered by.
Matches Played: 303
Wickets: 597
Player of Match Awards: 12
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌ (92)
Notable Achievements: Highest Wicket-Taker of the 2011 ODI CWC
116 Tests, 6868 runs, 17 hundreds, 42.13 average. By the time he retired, he was statistically the best batter in the country after Sunil Gavaskar. Made the #3 position his own.
Matches Played: 245
Runs: 10376
Player of Match Awards: 9
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored 4 hundreds in 1979, 4 in 1986, and 4 in 1987.
Captain charismatic, wristy, and soft spoken, Azharuddin ruled the hearts of Indian cricket fans in the 90s. With 9378 ODI runs and 6215 Test runs, Azhar was central to India’s middle order. Unfortunately, the match fixing scandal brought down his career.
Matches Played: 433
Runs: 15593
Player of Match Awards: 23
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌ (99)
Notable Achievements: Scored hundreds in 3 consecutive Tests, scored a hundred on debut.
Regarded as “Bradman of the East”, Merchant scored 13470 first class runs at an average of 71.64 with 45 centuries. His international career was stalled due to the Second World War, but was considered one of the greats of the era. Spearheaded the legacy of Bombay’s batting in Indian cricket.
Matches Played: 10
Runs: 859
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Scored his highest score of 154 in his last innings in 1951.
If you are an Indian cricket fan, you have copied Harbhajan Singh’s bowling action in your living room on your way to the kitchen. Harbhajan was a mainstay in India’s XI for the better part of the decade in both Tests and ODIs. His contributions to the 2001 Australia series will always go down as one of India’s best individual performances. Also a handy six hitter down the order.
Matches Played: 365
Wickets: 707
Player of Match Awards: 11
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 25 career Test 5-fers, 32 Wickets vs Australia (2000-01), Best of 8/84 vs Australia
47.65 average with 7 centuries in Test cricket. His record in FC cricket even more incredible—18,740 runs, 60 tons, average of 58.38, and a couple of triple centuries to go with it. Also had 595 first class wickets. Led India to its first Test win, and according to The Wisden Cricketer, “When World II brought cricket to a standstill, much of the credit for keeping the game alive in India must go to Hazare, who with Vijay Merchant took part in run-scoring duels that drew crowds of 20-30,000 to Bombay’s Braborne Stadium.”
Matches Played: 30
Runs: 2192
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: Scored an innings in each Test against Australia, first Indian to do so, scored centuries in 3 consecutive Tests, 543 runs vs West Indies (1948-49), first Indian cricketer to score a Ranji trophy triple century. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is named in his honor
Gupte was considered the best leg spinner of his era. His 9/102 was the best individual performance for decades to come. Unfortunately, he ended his career at 32 after a controversy in which he was wrongfully accused.
Matches Played: 36
Wickets: 149
Captained India? ❌
Notable Achievements: 34 wickets vs New Zealand (1955-56), 27 Wickets vs West Indies (1952-53), 9/102 vs West Indies (1958)
According to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, Mankad was “one of the greatest allrounders that India has ever produced.” His name gets maligned with the form of dismissal, but Mankad is truly one of India’s legends. Was the other batter with Pankaj Roy in the record 413-run partnership.
Matches Played: 44
Runs: 2109, Wickets: 162
Captained India? ✅
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), 9/55 vs England (1952)
When Yuvraj was on rhythm, there was no stopping him. He performed when it mattered the most, 2002 Natwest Trophy Final, 2007 SF vs Australia, and 2011 – The Entire World Cupwith both bat and ball. With the backdrop of cancer in the 2011 CWC, Yuvraj’s story is extraordinary. India never really truly replaced Yuvraj at #4 for the better part of the decade.
Matches Played: 399
Runs: 11686
Player of Match Awards: 34
Player of Series Awards: 8
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements:Six sixes vs England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, Player of the Tournament – 2011 ODI WC
Without Bumrah, there would be no 2024 T20 World Cup victory. Without Bumrah, there wouldn’t be several of the Test victories. When India needs to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, the ball is thrown to Jasprit Bumrah. Once in a generation comes a player so unique that everybody can just sit back and appreciate. We don’t know how Bumrah does what he does, but he is India’s national treasure for sure.
Matches Played: 195
Wickets: 397
Player of Match Awards: 13
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌ (Not Yet)
Notable Achievements: Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup, 23 wickets vs England (2021-22)
Perhaps played the greatest innings in the 21st century. The 281 against Australia came against a rampant Australian side while Indian cricket was reeling with the match-fixing scandal. VVS Laxman’s innings changed the narrative and drew India into its golden age. Will be remembered for his knocks against Australia across formats as well as the three gutsy rearguard knocks in 2010.
Matches Played: 220
Runs: 11119
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 1
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 503 runs vs Australia (2000-01), 494 runs vs Australia (2003-04), 474 runs vs West Indies (2002)
319, 309, 293, 254. Virender Sehwag’s 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 Viru’s greatness is defined.
Matches Played: 363
Runs: 16892
Player of Match Awards: 31
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: Highest Individual Test Score for India, 219 in ODI, 544 runs vs Pakistan (2004-05), 491 vs Sri Lanka (2009-10), 464 vs Australia (2003-04)
According to Sunil Gavaskar, Bedi was the “finest left-hand bowler” he had ever seen. At the time of his retirement, Bedi’s was the highest wicket-taker in Tests for India (266). Also took a mammoth 1560 wickets in first class cricket thanks to his exploits with Northamptonshire in County Cricket. Formed India’s fearsome spin quartet.
Matches Played: 77
Wickets: 273
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
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), 14 career 5-fers
All the accolades India are receiving now can be traced back to the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. He instilled confidence in the young side and helped build the cored that lifted the 2011 ODI World Cup (Zaheer, Sehwag, Yuvraj). Apart from captaincy, will go down as one of the great ODI batters in the history of the game.
Matches Played: 421
Runs: 18433
Player of Match Awards: 37
Player of Series Awards: 9
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 534 runs vs Pakistan (2007-08), 4th Most Player of the Match Awards for India
One of the great Test off-spinners of all-time, Ravichandran Ashwin helped establish the home Tests as a fortress. Apart from bowling, Ashwin established himself as one of premier spinner all-rounders of the generations with six Test centuries. His fighting spirit in BGT in the Sydney Test, holding up an end while battling a back injury epitomizes his character. One of the great thinkers of the game.
Matches Played: 281
Wickets: 744, Runs: 4200
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 11
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ❌
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 32 Wickets vs England (2020-21), 31 Wickets vs South Africa (1979-1980), 29 Wickets vs Australia (2012-13), 28 Wickets vs England (2016-17), 27 Wickets vs New Zealand (2016-17), 26 Wickets vs England (2023-24), 25 Wickets vs Australia (2022-23), 36 career 5-fers
Took the baton from Vijay Merchant to continue to Mumbai school of batting. At the time of his retirement, Umrigar held the record for the most Tests, most runs, and most wickets.
Matches Played: 59
Runs: 3631
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
Notable Achievements: 560 runs vs West Indies (1952-53), Scored a 100 and took 5 wickets vs West Indies (1962)
One of the most pleasing batters to watch (especially the pull shot), Sharma has a made a career on the back of gigantic ODI hundreds: 264, 209, 208*, 171*, 162, 159, 152*, 150. Begun as a 2007 T20 World Cup champion, dropped before the 2011 WC, and reinvented his career as an opener in 2013. Post-2013, he never looked back. Finally made it big as a Test opener late in his career and capped his legacy with the great runs in the 2023 ODI WC and the 2024 T20 WC win as captain.
Matches Played: 481
Runs: 19199
Player of Match Awards: 42
Player of Series Awards: 9
World Cup Winner? ✅✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: 2024 T20 World Cup & 2025 ICC Champions Trophy winning captain, 529 runs vs South Africa (2019-20), Scored 3 double centuries in ODI cricket
‘Jumbo’ is still India’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs and Tests. A central figure in India’s XI for a decade and a half, he will always be remembered for his 10-wicket inning haul against Pakistan. Retired on a high as India’s Test captain.
Matches Played: 401
Wickets: 953
Player of Match Awards: 16
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ❌
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 35 career 5-fers, 27 Wickets vs Australia (2004-05), 24 wickets vs Australia (2003-04), 23 wickets vs Australia (1997-98), 23 wickets vs West Indies (2006), 10/74 vs Pakistan and 8/141 vs Australia
The man in the center of each of India’s memorable overseas Test victories, Rahul Dravid, ‘The Wall’ was the glue to India’s middle order. He adapted his way to a fruitful ODI career, became a wicketkeeper, a captain, and eventually an U-19 & senior World Cup winning coach.
Matches Played: 504
Runs: 24064
Player of Match Awards: 25
Player of Series Awards: 4
World Cup Winner? ❌ (Not as player)
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 619 runs vs Australia (2003-04), 602 vs England (2002), 496 runs vs West Indies (2006), 461 runs vs England (2011), Highest Scorer of the 1999 ODI Cricket World Cup
MS Dhoni arrived to the scene with the 148 v Pakistan and 183* v Sri Lanka in 2005 with that iconic hair. However, it was his exploits as captain between 2007 to 2013 (and later with the Chennai Super Kings franchise), that took him from great to legendary status. And don’t forget, behind the stumps, he was best in the business with lightning fast stumpings.
Matches Played: 535
Runs: 17092
Player of Match Awards: 22
Player of Series Awards: 6
World Cup Winner? ✅ ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ❌
Notable Achievements: Player of the 2011 World Cup Final, Captain of India as India lifted the 2007 T20WC, 2011 ODIWC, and 2013 Champions Trophy
From a brash young man to fitness freak to the great Test captain, Virat Kohli’s evolution has been a 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: 26922*
Player of Match Awards: 67
Player of Series Awards: 19
World Cup Winner? ✅ ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements:
692 runs vs Australia (BGT 2014-15), 655 vs England (2016-17), 610 vs Sri Lanka (2017-18), 593 vs England (2018)
Captain. All-rounder. Fast Bowler. Lower Order Six Hitter. India has never and may never see an enigmatic character like Kapil Dev again.434 wickets and 175* in the pivotal 1983 WC match against Zimbabwe are some of the highlights of his career.
Matches Played: 356
Wickets: 687, Runs: 9031
Player of Match Awards: 19
Player of Series Awards: 5
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: India’s first WC winning captain, 303 runs & 12 wickets in the 1983 WC, 23 career Test 5-fers, Best of 9/83 vs WI, 8/85 vs Pakistan, and 8/106 vs Australia, 32 Wickets vs Pakistan (1979-1980), 29 wickets vs West Indies (1983-84), 28 Wickets vs Australia (1979-1980), 25 wickets vs Australia (1991-92), 24 wickets vs Pakistan (1982-83)
India’s first superstar, Sunil Gavaskar defied bowling attacks around the world without a helmet. 10,000 runs and 34 Test hundreds became the benchmark for other batters to follow. The original ‘Little Master.’
Matches Played: 233
Runs: 13214
Player of Match Awards: 10
Player of Series Awards: 3
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅
Notable Achievements: 774 runs in West Indies (1970-71), 732 runs vs West Indies in India (1978-1979), 542 runs vs England (1979), 529 runs vs Pakistan (1979-1980), 505 runs vs West Indies (1983-84), 500 runs vs England (1981-82), 450 runs vs Australia (1977-78), 447 runs vs Pakistan (1977-78), World Championship of Cricket Winning Captain (1985)
Virat Kohli summed up Tendulkar’s contribution aptly after the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years.” Probably the greatest batter since Donald Bradman, Tendulkar was the soul of Indian cricket for two decades. Oh and his 154 ODI wickets largely go unnoticed in a career of stellar batting performances, but could have made a career as a successful leg spinner as well.
Matches Played: 664
Runs: 34357, Wickets: 201
Player of Match Awards: 76
Player of Series Awards: 19
World Cup Winner? ✅
Captained India? ✅
100 Tests? ✅✅
Notable Achievements: Highest Scorer in the 1996, 2003, 2011 WCs, 51 Test 100s, 49 ODI 100s (Hundred Hundreds), First Player to Breach the 200-run mark in ODI cricket, 493 runs vs Australia (2007-08), 446 runs vs Australia (1997-98)
Cricket can be separated into three financial segments: (1) India, (2) Australia-England, and (3) The Rest of the World. Financial growth means more talent acquisition, robust systems, better grassroots growth, and eventually, more World Cup wins.
Simple as that. Australia has been employing this model for decades.
India last won an ICC trophy in 2013, when the IPL was still in an infancy and the ‘Big 3’ were coming into being.
Team India has finally attained the silverware they deeply desired. The 2024 T20 World Cup victory ensures that the domination of Indian cricket has begun.
Indian cricket is now officially a monopoly in the cricketing world.
The Pros and the Cons of an Indian Cricket Monopoly
The Affirmative
Just like almost everything in life, there are two sides of the coin. First we begin with the affirmative.
1. Jarrod Kimber argues that the IPL and money flowing in cricket means players like Ali Khan and other Associate cricketers can now become professionals. Cricket has lost many cricketers like American legend Bart King because their individual international teams were simply not good enough. And this is not the first time we are seeing a monopoly in cricket. The Sunil Gavaskars, West Indian legends, South Africans, etc. played in County Cricket because it offered cricketers a great experience and financial incentive back then.
2. Furthermore, when Indian cricket grows, not only do Indian players flourish, but international players prosper as well. The profits BCCI earns are reinvested in the sport along with donations made to charities and investing in other sports. Sounds all pretty and rosy, doesn’t it?
3. The growth of the IPL has also resulted in the growth of other leagues around the world. While the CPL, PSL, and SA20 might not be at the same level as the IPL, one can argue that these tournaments have rekindled the passion for cricket that was missing in these regions and have provided additional opportunities.
4. The IPL provides financial security. Indian cricketers can now take up cricket as a viable career even if they do not make the international level.
The main argument against the Indian monopoly is that the BCCI can strong arm any cricketing decision to be in their favor.
1. Case and point, the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan are scheduled to host this tournament with India’s matches currently slated in Lahore. What is most likely going to happen is after few uncertain months, India will end up playing their matches in a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan.
2. Despite the political tensions and bilateral international boycott against Pakistan, India will most definitely still be looped into the same group as Pakistan in every single tournament from now till forever. Why? Because money.
3. The backbone of the Indian monopoly lies in the Indian players. As long as professional Indian cricketers are barred from playing non-IPL leagues, the IPL will remain the greatest domestic T20 competition. Every other league is essentially fighting to be the second best league because there is no chance to upstage the IPL or just survive.
4. We can already see what happens when a couple of nations dominate the ICC decision making. We get 10-team World Cups, an unbalanced World Test Championship, direct entry to World Cups (without qualifiers for top teams), lack of knockouts in World Cup formats, no tangible movement for 2-tiered Test system, and many other such great ideas that do not see the light of day.
5. And finally, there are unspoken decisions that make you wonder: quasi-guarantee of last group match (in case NRR goes south), no reserve day for one semi-final, no evening matches (to potentially avoid dew), biased commentary, and a favorable flight schedule unlike Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and later Afghanistan.
Post the US Civil War (1861-1865), America entered the ‘Gilded Age’ that lasted till the end of the twentieth century. This was an era marked by remarkable economic growth, Industrial Revolution, and railroad expansion but also widespread political corruption, poor working conditions, strikes, and economic inequality in the United States.
I recommend you watch The Men Who Built Americaon Amazon Prime. It covers the stories of JP Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Henry Ford and portrays the journey of the great monopolies—U.S. Steel, Standard Oil, Tobacco Company, etc.
According to Statista, John D. Rockefeller’s net worth (inflation adjusted as of 2006) was $305.3 billion. Carnegie ($281.2 billion) and Vanderbilt ($168.4 billion) closely followed.
These men ran businesses unchecked across America for several decades until the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 (and later, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914) finally began to restore free market competition.
Most of these businessmen would go on to become larger than life philanthropists later in life and by the time the era had come to an end, the US had become a global economic superpower.
BCCI, fueled by the IPL, may change the economic face of cricket in the generations to follow, but cricket needs its own version of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act before it is too late.
A Warning
The economic imbalance had become so extreme that JP Morgan had to loan money to the US government and pull banks out of the Panic of 1907.
In the current proposed financial ICC model, BCCI is set to earn 38.5% of the ICC share (approximately $231 million out of the estimated $600 million) over the next four-year cycle. Apart from this revenue, Indian cricket earn loads of money from the IPL and broadcast deals. Imagine a situation where the BCCI loans money to the ICC in times of crisis and thereby holds a higher leverage in international cricket.
There are plenty of other examples of monopolies in world history as well. Think Dutch East India Company, the British Empire, De Beers, AT&T, and now the Big Tech companies in the US or the Ambanis and Adanis in India.
Just like them, the Indian cricket machinery has now has become both a soft and hard power in international cricket.
In fact, India has now become the new benevolent dictator in cricket. Is this good or bad?
Jimmy Anderson bowled over 40,000 balls in Test cricket over an international career encompassing 5 FIFA World Cups, 6 Harry Potter movies, 8 British Prime Ministers, 8 full-time England captains, 11 Taylor Swift albums, 20 ICC Men’s tournaments, formation of four independent nations, a worldwide recession, advent of generative AI, and a global pandemic. Sir Andrew Strauss debuted after him, retired before him, captained him, took slip catches for him, became the Director of England cricket, and stepped down between the ends of Anderson’s career.
Anderson has lived through the birth of T20 cricket and what feels like the death of Test cricket (joking, joking…or am I?).
Why I Will Always Remember Jimmy
I will always remember Jimmy Anderson because he made me fall in love with swing bowling.
I was just a six year old when I started following cricket – must have been around 2003-04. After the India-Australia Adelaide Test, I wanted to be a batter like Rahul Dravid. Just keep on defending balls and bat all day long.
By watching Anderson, I realized cricket was a lot more than just batting. In English conditions, he could really make the ball talk. When he bowled, cricket became a true battle between bat and ball, with ample swings & misses, the outside edges, and the oohs & aahs.
When I immigrated from India to the US, Jimmy Anderson was bowling. I finished elementary school. Jimmy Anderson? Still bowling. I graduated high school, college, graduate school, and now working. Anderson? Yep, still there.
Between Jimmy’s debut and retirement, we all grew up. I definitely did.
Let’s Talk About That Action, Shall We?
He had it all, in swing, out swing, late swing, reverse swing, wobble seam, a bit of pace, but most of all, the perfect swing bowling action.
Every cricket fan has copied Jimmy Anderson’s action at some point in their lives. The steady run up, slightly angling in, the swift movement of the shoulders, arms going behind the back, bit of a jump, the follow through, and then the celebration. It’s magic.
The Moments that Lifted Anderson from Good to Great
Anderson had several great moments and stories in his illustrious career. Magnificent deliveries to VVS Laxman, Brendon McCullum, and Michael Clarke to name a few, consistent performances against West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, the 7/43 vs New Zealand, Ashes victories, 2015 ODI WC debacle, and the Steyn vs Anderson debate. I picked a few other characteristics in his career that stood out to me.
– Bowling Partnership with Stuart Broad
1308 wickets among them. The top two highest wicket takers for fast bowlers. Anderson took 537 wickets when Broad was involved. Broad took 502 of his 604 with Anderson in it. When Broad had one of THOSE spells, Anderson kept it tight. When Anderson was on a roll, Broad kept it tight. A partnership to behold, a partnership for the ages that made England a fortress at home for a decade.
– 2014 & 2018 Battle vs Virat Kohli
Anderson was the highest wicket-taker of the 2014 Pataudi trophy with 25 wickets, a class apart.Kohli was caught behind by Anderson on 25 (34) in the2nd Test, and later was out on 39 (75), 0(2), and 7 (11)later.
In 2018, the battle continued but Virat Kohli had his redemption. Aside from couple of dropped catches, Kohli returned with scores of 149, 51, 97, 103, 46, 58, and 49with no dismissals from Anderson.
– The Ashes
117 wickets in the Ashes with 8 four-fers and 5 five-fers, Anderson left his mark in the Ashes.
– Anderson vs Mitchell Johnson
In this video, you see a different side of Anderson. At the peak of his powers, Mitchell Johnson sledges Anderson. In reply, Anderson takes a wicket the next ball and gives one back to Johnson!
– Success in Asia and India
His last two tours in India were remarkable. He took 8 wickets at 15.87 average in 2021and 10 wickets at 33.5 in 2024. In all, he took 92 wickets in Asia at 27.51. Not bad for one mocked as ‘Clouderson.’ He adapted and evolved with age.
Also fun fact, even though Anderson didn’t play an ODI match for about a decade, he is STILL the highest ODI wicket taker for England.
What Can We Learn From Jimmy Anderson?
Anderson’s longevity as a fast bowler will be marveled at for generations, but it was his swing bowling that set him apart. He developed this skill and kept refining it year after year until there was no match for him.
He utilized the English conditions like no other, kept himself fit for two decades, became a leader to the next generation, and was a great bloke all around. Rarely has someone come along who has single-handedly impacted England cricket, cricket as a whole, and the art form of fast bowling.
From the iPod 3rd generation to iPhone 15 Pro Max, from Beckham to Kane (Are the Euros coming home?); from the historic Volkswagen Beetle to self-driving Teslas, from Andrew Flintoff to Rocky Flintoff, and from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III, Anderson has seen it all.
Salute to you. There were never be another Jimmy Anderson.
Thank you for a special 20 years, I will cherish it forever.
****
What were your favorite Jimmy Anderson moments?
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Once upon a time, a father observed his three sons arguing. So just like any dad, he decided to teach them a lesson.
He gave each of his kids a bundle of sticks and asked them to break it.
The first son went in with confidence, but fell short of breaking it. The second kid tried really hard as well, but couldn’t break through. The third son also ended up with the same result.
Then, the father separated the bundle, and asked his sons to repeat the task. To their surprise, each of them was able to break all the sticks this time around, one by one.
What did they learn? Unity is Strength. By keeping the sticks together, the whole became stronger.
Much like this tale, India’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign was marked by unity. There was no one performer or one star this time around.
Virat Kohli, the golden boy of Indian cricket for over a decade, could not make a run for his life. India found a new match winner in every game—Bumrah, Arshdeep, Suryakumar Yadav, Pandya, Rohit, and Axar all produced player of the match performances while Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube played handy cameos throughout the World Cup.
In the final, Kohli steadied the ship with a 76, Axar’s 47 marked India’s recovery, and Dube’s 27 (16) provided the finishing spark that was much needed. In the second innings, Bumrah started with one of the balls of the tournament to dismiss Reeza Hendricks and Arshdeep took out Markram.
What followed was a brilliant counterattack from South Africa through Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen, who unleashed one of the most memorable innings in a World Cup final.
But then, South African ran into the bundle of sticks.
Rishabh Pant helped India get an injury break and disrupted South Africa’s momentum. Pandya then dismissed Klaasen with a clever wide delivery, Bumrah gave nothing away and went through Jansen’s gates. Following up, Arshdeep bowled a cracker of a 19th over and stifled Maharaj, Hardik kept it tight in the 20th, and SKY, who had a middling tournament by his standards, came through with one of those acrobatic catches when it mattered the most.
Even if one of those pieces in the last 28 balls had not come together, India would have lost. But together, they proved to be too strong to break.
Ludwig van Beethoven, perhaps the most recognized composer of them all, left his best for last.
Beethoven’s wrote his Ninth Symphony when he was almost completely deaf. The fourth moment, Ode to Joy, is often regarded as one of the greatest pieces of classical music of all-time. Composer Tan Dun states that
“Everybody loved Beethoven. The enemy loved Beethoven. The friends loved Beethoven. The dictatorship loved Beethoven. But also, the gentle, the people, the kids, the mothers, the women loved Beethoven.”
Rahul Dravid, one of the greatest cricketers of all-time, left his best for last as well. Although Dravid is not going deaf, his hairs have definitely grayed. The WTC Final and 2023 ODI World Cup Final losses would have been hurting deep into his heart.
Everybody loves Rahul Dravid, friends and foes alike. Dravid is one of the most loved and respected cricketers out there (and was also named India’s most sexiest man in 2005, fun fact). He has accomplished everything..well almost everything except for a World Cup. He had won a World Cup with the U-19 team earlier team, but this was different. This was personal.
In 2007, India crashed out of the group stage under Dravid’s captaincy in the Caribbean. History must have been weighing on him. The weight of the nation must have been weighing on him.
17 years later, Dravid came back to the Caribbean yet again with the quest of a World Cup. At last, Dravid orchestrated his most famous symphony.
“Something needs to change. Otherwise all that will be left is broken dreams.”
After the semi-finals loss against England, Rohit Sharma insisted on a change of approach, which was apparent in the dream 2023 ODI World Cup run at home (until the final). By the time we got to June 2024, the change was complete.
Both Rohit and Virat had transformed their playing styles. Rohit Sharma’s 92 against Australia will be talked about for years to come.
What about Virat Kohli? If South Africa had won the final, Kohli’s final knock may have been criticized. In hindsight, it was exactly the knock India needed from its talisman. The 2014 semi-final knock vs South Africa, the 82* at Mohali, the 82* in Adelaide and those sixes against Haris Rauf. People will always remember those, but they will now also remember how Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma helped India win a World Cup.
Their leadership and legacy is now etched in history with this World Cup dream. Broken Dreams no more.
Jasprit Bumrah was the section leader for India’s bowlers.
He delivered with several solo performances, but also guided the rest of the bowlers along with him.
When there is a Bumrah, there is always a way. How does he keep doing it? Regardless of the format, pitch conditions, opposition, he delivers day in and day out. Player of the tournament for a reason. We are seeing the development of one of the greats in front our eyes.
India should appreciate, cherish, and keep Bumrah in cotton wool for as long as possible.
“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.”
– Deiter F. Uchtdorf, German aviator and religious leader
This quote embodies Hardik Pandya. He is always in the news for one reason or the other, but this season has been really tough for him.
Hardik Pandya was booed all throughout IPL 2024 after he became Mumbai Indians’ captain. MI did not qualify for the playoffs and to make matters worse, he was in abysmal form himself. There were calls to not select him in the World Cup squad.
And the way he reacted to this adversity and came back is a story to behold. He kept his cool in the press conferences in the IPL and let his performances do the talking in the World Cup. He struck first against Pakistan, had a couple of great all-round shows, and capped it off with Klaasen-Miller’s wickets in the final.
Pastor T.D. Jakes once said, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.”
Rishabh Pant has endured the unimaginable over the last couple of years. The fact that he survived is a big deal on its own. To have the motivation and drive to play cricket again and that also at the highest level, is spectacular.
And then to make a comeback in the IPL and later in international cricket is out of the world. His scores of 36*, 42, 18, 20, 36, 15 might not blow the opposition out, but it is exactly what was needed by the #3. Kept the momentum going.
And boy, he was quite active behind the stumps! Not to forget the Gulbadin moment in the final.
Axar Patel was the missing ingredient India did not realize they had.
Over the last few ICC events, India have carried both Jadeja & Pandya in the XI, but somehow were always missing a bowling option or batting depth that ended up haunting them. Recall batting collapses in 2017 Champions Trophy Final & 2019 ODI SF or lack of bowling options in the 2016 T20 WC SF or 2023 ODI WC Final.
With Axar, Rohit could rotate the bowling around, add Kuldeep or Siraj based on conditions, and switch up the batting line up. The Grade Cricketer podcast sums Axar’s impact really well.
“The versatility is unrivaled….What..What a cricketer. He can bat 5 and make 47 in a World Cup final and also spin teams out in Test matches. I don’t know who else can do that!”
You can’t help but feel happy for Kuldeep Yadav. After all that he went through from 2020-22, Kuldeep is back with a bang!
He did not play the first few matches in fast bowling friendly USA, but the difference in the Caribbean with figures of 2/32, 3/19, 2/24, 3/19 before the 0/45 in the final. With Bumrah and Kuldeep in your XI, opposition just has 12 overs to hit.
His selection in the squad was courageous. His selection in the XI was courageous. Even though he started with scores of 14 (16), 0*(2), and 3 (9), he was persisted with. That was courageous.
And just like the lion in Oz, he lifted himself up when it mattered the most. Staying till the end of the chase with 31*(35) when India were struggling against USA, 34 (24) vs Bangladesh, 28 (22) vs Australia, and saving his best for last—27 (16).
For a known spin basher, he started off with a six against Marco Jansen in the final. Courage.
From 108/4 in 14 overs, India scored 68 in the final 6, and the rest, as we say, is history.
In this WC, Jadeja did not bat much, bowl much, and did not even inflict a direct hit. But the fact that he was there made all the difference.
Rohit Sharma was able to rotate the bowlers, keep flexibility in the batting order, and kept the opposition at bay with the thought that India still has a #8 with three first class triple centuries, a luxury South Africa did not have. Also announced his retirement along with Rohit & Kohli.
Ended with figures of 3-0-13-1, 4-0-19-0, and 4-0-25-0. Pretty solid returns.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Although Chahal is India’s highest wicket taker in T20Is, he is yet to play a T20 World Cup match. But does that really matter anymore?
Sanju Samson
The victory you know. The luck factor, you don’t. In all seriousness, if you have someone with the skill of Sanju Samson on the bench, you must have an absolutely amazing team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal’s time will come. He will carry the torch of Indian cricket for the next generation along with Shubman Gill and a few others.
Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan
Although the reserve players did not get a chance in the final 15, they traveled with the squad throughout the tournament and attended several matches. Not once, did they show their disappointment. When India were happy, they were happy.
God’s Plan.
Support Staff, Physios, Selectors
Ajit Agarkar and co have been criticized for picking the seniors and dropping Rinku Singh. At the end, it all worked out, didn’t it?
Also we cannot forget the contributions of the physios, data analysts, support staff, and several hundred others who played a role in the background. India’s victory could not have been possible without them.
Final Thought, Thank You Team India
In an orchestra, everyone from the first chair to the last stand must be focused and switched on at all times. The bows need to go in the same direction, the entrances need to be spot on, the solos need to be spectacular, the tempo should be consistent, and the instruments need to be in tune. Finally, the director needs to ensure all the sections—the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion are all on the same page.
And when everything comes together, it is just so beautiful.
Thank you to India’s bowlers, batters, fielders, coaches, support staff, and the fans. They joined together and delivered when it mattered the most.
And the celebration was felt around the world. Robin Uthappa, R Ashwin, Rayudu, Ishant Sharma were visibly emotional on camera. So many cricketers before them have helped India grow and many such cricketers will continue to move Indian cricket forward.
