3 Indian cricketers who will be remembered for just one outstanding performance

The Indian cricket team has produced several outstanding cricketers over the years. Many cricketers have contributed extensively to the successful performance of the team. Be it Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and now Virat Kohli, each of these legendary cricketers have performed remarkably in their respective times.

However, there are times where a cricketer has created a name for himself with just one memorable performance. These cricketers were dropped because of their inconsistent performances or were just unlucky to be left out of the side.

This article tries to encapsulate three such cricketers who will be remembered for just one outstanding performance either in a Test match or in a limited overs match.

---

#1 Stuart Binny

Stuart Binny produced a magical spell of 6 for 4 against Bangladesh.

Rajdeep Sardesai in his book Democracy XI says, "an actor's son can easily become an actor or a politician's son can easily enter politics. But, the same is not the case with cricket."

Stuart Binny, unlike his father Roger Binny, did not have a promising start to his career. He got a chance to represent India in an away series against New Zealand in 2014 and bowled a solitary over in the match.

His moment to create an impression came in his third ODI against Bangladesh at Mirpur. He produced one of the best bowling figures by an Indian in ODIs.

A second-string side led by Suresh Raina went to Bangladesh to play a three-match ODI series. In the second ODI, India was shot out for just 105 with Taskin Ahmed picking up five wickets. In reply, Bangladesh were going strong at 43-2 and anyone would have expected them to walk away with the match.

However, Binny had other plans. He ripped through the Bangladesh batting line-up and picked up 6 wickets for just 4 runs. Bangladesh was all-out for just 58 and Binny had created history by producing one of the best figures in ODI cricket.

While the final ODI against Bangladesh was abandoned, Binny did not feature in India's next ODI assignment against England.

Binny's induction into the team was mainly because of his remarkable performance in the 2013 Indian Premier League. He amassed 293 runs at a healthy average of 32.55 and a staggering strike-rate of 147.23. He played some crucial knocks for the Royals and helped the team in reaching the playoffs.

Binny would have hoped to replicate his IPL and domestic success at the international level. But unfortunately, his heroics as an all-rounder couldn't be replicated in the next couple of years. He was dropped from the side soon after the 2015 ICC World Cup. to watch out for in the Karnataka Premier League and in the Indian domestic circuit.

Presently aged 35, it highly is highly unlikely that Binny would get another opportunity to make a comeback into the Indian team.

#2 Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary scored a scintillating hundred against the West Indies.

One cricketer who has been extremely unlucky of not having got consistent run in the Indian team is Manoj Tiwary. He was drafted into the squad only when the selectors were particular in selecting a second-string side.

After having a poor ODI debut against Australia in Brisbane in 2008, he was ignored by the selectors for the next three years. Finally, when he got his opportunity in 2011, he made it count.

It was final ODI of the five-match series in Chennai and India were reeling at 1 for 2. However, Manoj Tiwary walked in at number four and scored a brilliant century (104 retd hurt) in humid conditions. He paced his innings perfectly and took India to a competitive total of 267. His knock ensured that India comfortably won the match by 34 runs and the series 4-1.

Despite his stupendous performance, Manoj was not included in the subsequent 14 ODIs that India had played. He was part of the squad for the Commonwealth Bank Tri-series and the Asia Cup in 2012.

At 34, it is highly unlikely that he would get another opportunity into the team.

#3 Joginder Sharma

Joginder Sharma bowled the final over of the World T20 final in 2007.

The first thought that would come across anyone's mind after hearing the name Joginder Sharma is his final over heroics in the ICC World T20 final in 2007.

With 13 needed to defend off the last over against Pakistan, Dhoni tossed the bowl to the young Joginder Sharma over the experienced Harbhajan Singh. After Misbah ul Haq struck a six off the second ball off the over, Sharma responded brilliantly by prizing his wicket off the very next delivery. India became the inaugural World T20 champions.

Despite his brilliant performance, Joginder soon lost his place in the side because of his inconsistent performances.

Presently, he is serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police for the state of Haryana.

While his career would have faded away after a promising start, Sharma had done enough to ensure that he played an instrumental role in India lifting its maiden ICC World T20 trophy.