Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (10-1)

Dravid Sachin Gavaskar Kumble Kapil Sehwag
The crème de la crème of Indian cricket feature in this distinguished group

After honing in on numerous top-class players during the course of the last month or so, we have moved on to the final segment of our exclusive weekend feature. Close on the heels of ranks 20-11 last week, the attention has now shifted to those in the upper-most pantheon of Indian cricket legends.

Let us take a close look at ten of the greatest cricketers to represent India in Tests. This illustrious set of icons contains the most exalted heroes who managed to leave a deep imprint on the cricket crazy populace as well as the annals of the game's ultimate format.

Here are the key factors which have been taken into consideration in order to enumerate these distinguished cricketers.

a) Overall career consistency.

b) Performances in matches won.

c) Performances in Tests outside India.

d) Game-changing efforts in big matches against quality opponents on Indian soil.

e) Stature in world cricket; opinions of peers and various experts.

f) Establishing new trends by breaking previously existing stereotypes.

g) Minimum cut-off of 1000 runs for batsmen/100 wickets for bowlers/50 dismissals for wicket-keepers in order to formulate a meaningful sample size.

h) Statistics have not been assumed to be the be-all and end-all of a player’s value. A general consensus has been arrived after factoring in every aspect of each cricketer’s career.


#10 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh is the second most prolific spinner in Indian Test history

Upon foraying into international cricket as a precocious teenager during the 1998 Bangalore Test against Australia, Harbhajan Singh could not initially cope with the transition from the domestic arena to the highest level of the game. Despite having been written off by various pundits, he rose from the ashes to make one of the astonishing comebacks in history. Having labelled India as 'The Final Frontier', the all-conquering team led by Steve Waugh could only dance to the tunes of the wily off-spinner.

Also Read: Top 5 spells of Harbhajan Singh against Australia in India

With an astonishing tally of 32 wickets at a strike-rate of 33.4, Harbhajan played an instrumental role in India pulling off their most memorable Test series triumph against one of the greatest ever teams assembled in the sport. From then on, he never looked back. The 'Turbanator' quickly established himself as skipper Sourav Ganguly's key weapon and even went on to briefly keep the much more accomplished Anil Kumble out of the playing eleven whenever the team travelled abroad.

Following Kumble's retirement, Harbhajan took on the role of India's lead spinner and chipped in with crucial contributions in the team's ascent to the top of the Test rankings. However, at the peak of his powers, he gradually began to lose form. Due to the emergence of much younger alternatives in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the stalwart lost his place in the side. Nevertheless, he continues to remain the third highest wicket-taker in Indian Test history.

*Career Span: 1998-present

Statistics: 417 wickets from 103 matches at an average of 32.46 and strike-rate of 68.5 with 25 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls

(*Note: Harbhajan Singh has not officially announced his retirement from Test cricket)

#9 Bhagwath Chandrasekhar

Bhagwath Chandrasekhar
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar single-handedly won several matches for India outside the subcontinent

1971 Oval, 1976 Auckland, 1976 Port of Spain, 1977 Sydney and 1978 Melbourne - These are not some random cricket matches dug out in an attempt to evince a blast from the past. The five aforementioned occurrences were some of the memorable Test victories in Indian history and they were all engineered by Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. On first glimpse, his career statistics may not evoke a feeling of awe like some of the other big names. However, in terms of match-winning capacity, very few Indian bowlers have been able to match Chandra's sheer genius.

Extra Cover: The forgotten gem - Why Bhagwath Chandrasekhar's legacy is worth cherishing

Handicapped by a life-altering bout of polio during childhood, Chandrasekhar converted his weakness into strength. Armed with an unusual action, he served an ethereal concoction of leg-breaks, top-spinners and googlies from a weakened bowling hand. While he could go for runs on certain occasions when well-set batsmen got on top of him, his ability to deliver game-changing spells from out of nowhere made him the most dangerous spinner in the illustrious quartet. No wonder, skipper MAK Pataudi was reluctant to go into any Test match without the presence of 'Chandra'.

Career Span: 1964-1979

Statistics: 242 wickets from 58 matches at an average of 29.74 and strike-rate of 65.9 with 16 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls

#8 Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag's aggressive batting helped India to enforce results on the flattest of pitches

Critics may point to his flat-footed method of batting as well as under whelming record in conditions aiding swing bowling. However, even they would agree that no modern-day batsman has managed to enthrall spectators as much as Virender Sehwag did in his pomp. Be it the spectacular assault on Australia during the 2003 Boxing Day Test or the breath-taking ambush on an unsuspecting England attack to propel India to what was then the highest ever fourth-innings chase on Asian soil, the swashbuckling opener played numerous entertaining knocks of the highest quality.

Sehwag's attacking shot-making at the top of the order converted several potential stalemates into famous Indian victories. Often unsettling fast bowlers by flaying the new ball to all corners of the stadium, he re-defined the role of an opener in Test cricket. In a lineup containing plenty of stalwarts, the 'Nawab of Najafgarh' was comfortably the most brutal batsman against the turning ball. This was perfectly encapsulated in his match-winning double ton on a dusty track in Galle against the rampaging Muttiah Muralitharan and the then exotic Ajantha Mendis. Although his gifted hand-eye coordination deserted him towards the end of his career, Sehwag went on to leave a magnetic legacy in Indian history

Career Span: 2001-2013

Statistics: 8586 runs from 104 matches at an average of 49.34 with 23 centuries and 32 fifties

#7 VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman reserved his best for the toughest of situations and hardest of bowling attacks

There are many batsmen who enjoy feasting on sub-par bowling attacks operating on benign pitches and in the process become statisticians' delights. But, when the team really counts upon them to pull them from the trenches, they go missing after being unable to deal with pressure. On the other hand, there are very few batsmen who preserve their best for the most demanding of circumstances against belligerent bowlers. VVS Laxman belonged to the latter category.

In the wake of ML Jaisimha and Mohammad Azharuddin, Laxman's batting had a distinct Hyderabadi flavour to it. From his sublime drives through the off-side to those dexterous whips in the mid-wicket region, the elegant right-hander was the very definition of poetry in motion. Steve Waugh's all-conquering Australian team saw more of that and then some during the epic clash at the iconic Eden Gardens in 2001. Promoted to number three by skipper Sourav Ganguly, he sauntered to a delectable 281 and paved the way for the most famous come-from-behind victory in Test cricket. The triumph not only catapulted the hosts to an incredible 2-1 series win but also played a major role in instilling self-belief in Indian cricket.

Extra Cover: 5 instances when VVS Laxman proved to be India’s disaster management specialist

Each of India's two Test victories on South African soil contained the stamp of Laxman's big-match temperament. As was evidenced by his stirring fourth-innings century at P Sara Oval and invaluable 79-ball 73 in Mohali, he also had the capacity to overcome excruciating physical pain in order to help his country accomplish unforgettable success

Career Span: 1996-2012

Statistics: 8781 runs from 134 matches at an average of 45.97 with 17 centuries and 56 fifties

#6 Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi
Bishan Singh Bedi's mellifluous action was akin to a charmer seducing a snake

Before the pangs of age turned him into a no-nonsense critic, Bishan Singh Bedi was among the most elegant spinners to grace the game. His simple yet alluring bowling action was the metaphorical equivalent of the smooth cascading of a waterfall. Considering the excessive dose of limited-overs matches in the modern era, the left-armer's jaw-dropping tally of 1560 first-class wickets is likely to remain the gold standard in Indian history. His captaincy stint may irrevocably be embossed by the bold declaration which protected his spinners' fingers from the blood bath instigated by Clive Lloyd's West Indies team in 1976.

From a land which has produced several high-quality cricketers, Bedi is one of only four representatives from India (the others being Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble) to figure in ICC's Hall of Fame. While plenty more may be added to the prestigious group in the coming years, not many can claim to have captivated the spectators in such spellbinding manner as the cherished spinner did in his heydays.

Career Span: 1966/67-1979

Statistics: 266 wickets from 67 matches at an average of 28.71 and strike-rate of 80.3 with 14 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul

#5 Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was the bulwark of India's batting lineup right throughout his stellar career

While Shane Warne declared that 'the bowling equivalent of a dozen cannon firing all at once' was needed to bring him down, Shoaib Akhtar went further and likened Rahul Dravid to the peerless Muhammad Ali. Even if one were to bring these towering plaudits to his cognisance, the man might just epitomise the same level of tranquility which formed the cornerstone of his batting.

Even as bucket-loads of sweat dripped down his face and soaked his shirt, the sight of Dravid summoning every ounce of concentration from his extensive reservoir represented the most deflating sight for any top-ranked bowler. Occupying the crucial number three position in the revered Indian batting lineup, he formed an enduring link between the flamboyant openers and the adored middle-order.

In terms of influencing the course of Test matches, no other Indian batsman has had a greater impact on the game than Dravid. Right from the moment he stepped into the international arena to the subtle nature of his exit from the traditional format, the technically unrivalled right-hander lived and played for the Indian team.

Career Span: 1996-2012

Statistics: 13,288 runs from 164 matches at an average of 52.31 with 36 centuries and 63 fifties

#4 Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev remains one of the finest all-rounders to ever grace the game

In the middle of 2002, Sachin Tendulkar was at the peak of his powers and Sunil Gavaskar's exploits were still fresh in everyone's minds. Yet, it was Kapil Dev who took home Wisden's Indian Cricketer of the Century award. The moment not only emboldened the inimitable all-rounder's reputation in the game but also showed why India would never come close to replacing him. Far beyond plain numbers, Kapil changed the face of Indian cricket in every sense of the word.

Extra Cover: Kapil Dev - The irreplaceable warrior

At a time when India used part-timers to quickly take the shine off the new ball in order to bring their arsenal of spinners into the game, Kapil became a trend setter by venturing into unforeseen territory. Unlike most of his team mates, he did not emerge from a metropolis or traditional power center of cricket. However, that did not prevent him from reaching unprecedented heights in Indian history.

If sharp swing fetched him a whopping 434 wickets and left him at the pedestal of Test bowling by the time he retired, Kapil's aggressive batting as well as instinctive leadership metamorphosed him into an invaluable colossus of the game. Legendary writer John Woodcock declared, "India have never had another cricketer like him, and quite conceivably they never will." Truer words have never been written.

Career Span: 1978-1994

Statistics: 434 wickets from 131 matches at an average of 29.64 and strike-rate of 63.9 with 23 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls; 5248 runs at an average of 31.05 with 8 centuries and 27 fifties

#3 Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker among all Indian Test bowlers

In a country where batsman are being hoisted to endless heights, the bowlers continue to do the heavy lifting and go about their business in an unfettered manner. Despite being surrounded by numerous world-class batsmen, Anil Kumble can lay claim to being the biggest match-winner India have ever had in Test cricket. During the entire course of the 90s, India held an unbeaten series record in the premier format of the game. The reliable leg-spinner was perhaps the most pertinent reason behind the enviable streak.

With his combative approach as well as stifling style of bowling, Kumble consistently delivered against accomplished lineups to propel India to countless memorable victories. The ten-wicket second innings haul against Pakistan on a crumbling surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla remains the most astonishing spell by any Indian bowler.

Naysayers might point to his under whelming record away from the subcontinent during the initial phase of his career. However, after the turn of the millennium, the wrist-spinner transformed himself into a steady operator on non-responsive pitches outside his comfort zone. Upon receiving the privilege of leading his country at Test level, Kumble turned out to be a leader of utmost dignity. The way in which he rallied his troops to recover from a demoralising loss in the controversial Sydney Test to an euphoric triumph at Perth stands as testament to his relentless commitment.

Career Span: 1990-2008

Statistics: 619 wickets from 132 matches at an average of 29.65 and strike-rate of 65.9 with 35 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket hauls

#2 Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar's compact technique and unparalleled temperament made him an immovable opener

Even as countless passionate cricket aficionados go gaga over the current dominance extended by Virat Kohli's top ranked team, not many would know that retrospective ICC rankings rated India as the number one Test side for 15 months in the early 1970s. In the entire decade, a certain Sunil Manohar Gavaskar led the batting charts with a massive tally of 5647 runs at an average of 55.91 including as many as 22 centuries. Among all players with at least 4000 runs in the 1970s, no batsman came close to his batting average or number of centuries.

Armed with seemingly impenetrable defence and unshakeable powers of concentration, the physically diminutive Gavaskar stood tall by blunting the fastest as well as most menacing of bowlers. Admittedly, his batting record against the West Indies was bolstered significantly by a remarkable debut series in 1971 when a slew of spinners and medium pacers formed the bowling attack. However, the respect and admiration that the fearsome Caribbean pace quartet had for the man was evident when they stood up uniformly and hailed him as the 'Master' during a private ceremony.

In the English summer of 1979, Gavaskar's marathon 443-ball 221 helped India come within touching distance of a massive fourth-innings pursuit of 438 against a world-class bowling lineup containing the likes of Bob Willis, Ian Botham and Mike Hendrick. When the exalted right-hander sauntered towards the stage to receive the Player of the Match award, the enchanted audience at The Oval all rose up in unison to acknowledge his greatness. Seldom had an Indian cricketer won over the opposition crowd away from the comforts of home.

Career Span: 1971-1987

Statistics: 10,122 runs from 125 matches at an average of 51.12 with 34 centuries and 45 fifties

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar's humongous career aggregate of 15,921 runs is unlikely to be surpassed

At a time when almost every other budding cricketer of his age were barely entering into the first-class circuit, the then 16-year old Sachin Tendulkar was gearing up to tackle a bowling attack containing the likes of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Qadir in the hostile territory of Pakistan. By the time he turned 20, the rousing talent had Test tons to his name in places as diverse as England, Australia and South Africa. Naturally, the already astronomical expectations would only rise further with each instance of him stepping into the hallowed turf.

Extra Cover: 8 instances which prove that Sachin Tendulkar is the epitome of sportsmanship

In spite of having to shoulder the hopes of a billion plus population aside from carrying the fortunes of a volatile batting lineup during the initial phase of his career, Tendulkar converted every challenge into a platform for attaining unprecedented success. Traversing along with three different generations of Indian cricketers, the meticulous right-hander proceeded to become the symbol of longevity in his storied career.

From being a dashing stroke-maker in the 90s, he re-fashioned himself to a remorseless accumulator of runs during the 2000s when India possessed an intimidating batting lineup. Nearly every batting record in the game belongs to the revered Mumbaikar. Even as plenty may come and go, the vast majority of his feats should continue to stand the test of time.

Career Span: 1989-2013

Statistics: 15,921 runs from 200 matches at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 fifties

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Edited by Anuradha Santhanam