Commentator's Test XI

More often than not, if devoid of any commercial interest, many cricketers prefer to remain in the realm of the cricketing galaxy. Coaching or commentating remain the obvious choices post-retirement. For the purpose of lucrative returns, and staying connected as closely as ever to the game, many prefer commentating for immediate gratification.

The basic criteria for featuring in the list remains simple - current or past commentators, who have as a player racked up terrific numbers. I've had to make some difficult choices and leave out some exceptional players. But I'm pretty much sure, this list won't make you cringe either.

1. Sunil Gavaskar (WK)

More than his 34 centuries, Gavaskar's greatest contribution was to infect a sense of self-confidence in a generation doomed with low self-esteem. His game was built around a near-perfect technique and enormous powers of concentration and focus. He could play every stroke in the book, but traded flair for solidity. If he was an investor, he would put his money in secure Government bonds, where a Tendulkar might play the equity markets.

2. Michael Atherton

In England's cricketing history, the story goes that Christmas was identifiable as that time of the year with Atherton saving a test somewhere in a distant land. Mikey was a sturdy opening batsmen with a robust defensive technique. When untroubled by the lower-back niggles, he would pull and hook ferociously and time the ball sweetly through point. An unconventional cricketer of sorts, who would prefer Chess over Play-station hands down.

3. Allan Border (C)

Unlike most, Border was at his freakish best when Australia were touring and a test-match had to be saved. He may not be the most elegant, but certainly packs a punch among the most gutsiest and combative. He had this zeal to not give his wicket away and could bat for your life if you wish so. He was versatile against fast bowling, and moved nimbly when facing medium pace and spinners. In an era filled with charisma, Border's complete lack of it was an appealing attribute. He did what came naturally to him. No gimmicks. No testimonials. No farewell tour.

4. Ricky Ponting

Not blessed with gallons of talent or natural ability, but with resilience. His way was the hard way. Ponting's success was achieved through grueling practice, willingness to do the unenviable and uncomfortable, and then the application to make it happen, especially when it mattered. A crapper. An eternal battler.

5. Greg Chappell

Upright, consistent and prolific. Above the talent and technique which personified him, Chappell was formidable with the way he imposed discipline on himself. He may bat maiden for say 3 overs straight, but if one dropped it in the slot you knew it would be driven for four. He may take two sessions to reach the first fifty, but the next one would come within 45 minutes with barely any extra effort. Simply outstanding.

6. Sir Ian Botham

Dominating. Authoritarian. Disdainful. Botham had truckloads of self-belief to go with his tremendous on-field natural ability. He doesn't, and never has done, any "can't". No situation was so dire that it could not be rescued with his personal intervention. It was the very nature of his all-round skills and temperament that made him the player he was. There was nothing he couldn't do. Ask him.

7. Richie Benaud

Initially, Richie was an ineffective component of a losing team; but gradually elevated himself to cricketing genius. Few cricketers have matured so gradually yet ripened so fruitfully. His first-class numbers more than cover up for his ordinary stint for Australia. As a leg-spinner, he was full of baits and traps. Perhaps, to feature in this line-up, his no nonsensical, mellow and authoritarian broadcasting outshone a decent career as a player.

8. Glenn McGrath

Glenn's USP was an unremitting off-stump line with an immaculate length. He gained off-cut and bounce, specialized in picking the opposition's biggest wickets and he was unafraid to back himself publicly in these key duels.

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9. Wasim Akram

A dream cricketer. A stunning match winner. A complete mastery over seam and swing. He gave new dimensions, angles and attack lines to left-arm fast bowling. He could bowl anything and everything. He could bowl four balls on the same spot on good length and still do four different things to behavior of the ball thereafter. The bigger the game, the bigger the game-changer was Akram.

10. Shane Warne

At first, there was chubbiness. Then came wild and soaring leg-breaks, followed by top-spin and flippers. No bowler personifies the art of the leg-break as much as Shane Warne does. He kept getting batsmen bowled. He get kept getting them lbw. He kept getting them 'What the Heck'. He had almost no right to, but he did repeatedly. An extraordinary bowler, a larger than life personality.

11. Michael Holding

The 'Whispering Death'. He invented the most elegant long-striding run-up to bowling. The batsmen tended not to watch him all the way lest they became mesmerized. Not overlooking his extraordinary feats elsewhere, the act of force majeure in the summer of 1976 at The Oval has immortalized him. The bowler was Holding, the batsmen were history.