Top 5 First-Class Indian batsmen who did not make it big in International Cricket

First-Class cricket is a laboratory where many of the eventual International stars are produced. A good FC record indicates that the player has become a regular at this level and is ready for the challenges of International cricket.

If they fail to live up to what is expected of these players at the International level, then they are sent back to play domestic cricket. However, many good batsmen who have scored tons of runs in First-Class cricket have either never got the opportunity to play for India or couldn’t quite deliver on the big stage.

Let us have a look at 5 such batsmen.

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#5 Devendra Bundela

Around 60 Kilometers away from the town of Indore is Ujjain and it is here that Devendra Bundela spent his childhood and fell in love with the game of cricket. But Ujjain was not the ideal place in that time for a budding cricketer and so Bundela decided to shift to Indore for his cricketing dream.

It was in Indore that, under the guidance of one of the most renowned administrators of cricket in India, Sanjay Jagdale, Bundela’s cricket started to improve. The third highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history and with the most number of appearances in Ranji Trophy, Bundela’s tale is about self-belief.

He never played for India even with such an impeccable record. However, Bundela carried on with his cricket just for the sheer love of the game. Even at 41, Bundela is one of the finest batsmen in the Madhya Pradesh team and a mentor to many youngsters including the likes of Naman Ojha.

Perhaps, Bundi bhai, as he is known in the cricketing circle, deserved a go in the Indian side.

First-Class Career

Matches: 164; Runs: 10004; Highest Score: 188; Average: 43.68

#4 Mithun Manhas

Manhas scored 27 hundreds and 49 half centuries in his first-class career

Mithun Manhas is all about talent and grace. One of the most talented middle-order batsmen in Indian domestic cricket, Manhas never got a game for India because during the peak of his career there was no vacancy in the Indian batting line up, both in Tests and ODIs.

However, Manhas has been a stalwart of the Delhi side and in the absence of senior players like Gambhir and Sehwag who were on national duty, Manhas even led the Delhi side to various championships in 2007-08. With 27 hundreds and 49 half centuries, Manhas is clearly a big name in the First-Class level.

First-Class Career

Matches: 157; Runs: 9714; Highest Score: 205*; Average: 45.82

#3 S Badrinath

Badrinath has scored more than 10000 FC runs

A batsman who relied on the textbook cricketing shots, S Badrinath averages a whopping 54.49 in First-class cricket, thanks to his immense hunger for runs and his ability to absorb pressure. Badrinath was initially recognized as a grafter but gradually developed other strokes in his arsenal and became one of the most complete batsmen in FC circuit.

Badrinath went on to captain Tamil Nadu. However, when he played for India after a long wait, he couldn’t perform as per expectations in the limited opportunities provided to him and averaged a poor 21 in two Tests and 15.80 in seven ODIs.

Although his heavy run-scoring continued in the domestic circuit, Badrinath never got a national call-up again.

First-Class Career

Matches: 145; Runs: 10245; Highest Score: 250; Average: 54.49

#2 Hrishikesh Kanitkar

Kanitkar played 34 ODIs for India

One of the few batsmen to have scored more than 8000 runs in Ranji Trophy, Kanitkar was a massive name in First Class domestic cricket averaging above 52 in 146 matches. He went on to play 34 ODIs for India but failed to play any significant innings, scoring just one half-century in 27 innings.

Kanitkar led the Rajasthan side to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2010-11 when they defeated Baroda in the finals. A prolific run scorer in first class Cricket, he is best remembered for hitting a boundary when India required 3 runs off 2 balls in the Independence Cup final at Dhaka.

Kanitkar retired from domestic cricket in 2015.

First-Class Career

Matches: 146; Runs: 10400; Highest Score: 290; Average: 52.26

#1 Amol Muzumdar

Muzumdar is unarguably one of the most talented batsmen never to play for the country

A right-handed batsman from Mumbai, Amol Muzumdar was due to come in next when Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli put together a record-breaking stand of 664 runs for the Shardashram English School. His wait for his turn in this match is symbolic to him waiting for his chance in the national side- both of which never came.

Muzumdar is unarguably one of the most talented batsmen never to play for the country. He was said to be the next big thing when he was evolving as a young cricketer and scored loads of runs over the seasons.

At one time the Mumbai-based captain vice-captained an Indian A side which had the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid but yet did not manage to achieve what his fellow teammates did. Muzumdar bid goodbye to domestic cricket in 2014.

First-Class Career

Matches: 171; Runs: 11167; Highest Score: 260; Average: 48.13