Top 5 talented players who were overshadowed by more flamboyant teammates

Often players who have swagger and presence on the cricket field hog the limelight and always make headlines for whatever they do both on and off the field. And then there are players who do not have quite the personality to come to the fore, and irrespective of their brilliance on the field, they somehow slip under the radar or remain in the shadows of the more flamboyant one.

However, after all the euphoria and frenzy subsides, these nonchalant players are by no means less effective and if the performances are compared they by no way were less effective when compared to their flashy counterparts.

Here in this list we take a look at 5 players who have been match-winners in their own right but were never accorded the recognition they deserved.

#1 Chaminda Vaas

Arguably the finest left-arm seamer to have emerged from Sri Lanka, Chaminda Vaas had the ability to seam and swing the ball both ways. With 355 wickets in Test matches and 400 wickets in One Day Internationals, Vaas is easily the most successful Sri Lankan bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan.

However, Vaas was never allowed to revel in any sort of limelight, probably because he played alongside Murali, and the off-spinner who is the most successful bowler in Test cricket history, enjoyed far more fanfare right throughout his career.

The primary reason behind this could be the fact that Murali always was in the eye of some controversy or the other right through his career, and that he mastered wrist spin which is very difficult and mysterious art.

Vaas, on the other hand, was more conventional in his approach, and despite his effectiveness all over the world, was never given the credit he deserved.

#2 Rahul Dravid

Steel and grit of Dravid overshadowed by the flamboyance of Sachin

Many believe that Rahul Dravid has been accorded much more importance after his retirement from the game and that people realised his true worth when he was no longer around.

A man with steel, and grit, there was no flamboyance attached to Dravid's game, but the fact that he is fourth highest run-getter in Test cricket speaks volumes of his ability.

Many also believe, that had Dravid not played alongside one Sachin Tendulkar, his legend would have been much more immense, and that he would have been given the due he so richly deserved. The man himself confesses that he was overawed around Sachin, and was always looking to impress the great man whenever he batted.

This feeling filtered out too, and while Sachin was a naturally gifted player who could control emotions of the entire nation, Dravid was more of a fighter who scrapped for everything all through his career.

While Sachin was the more glitzy one, Dravid was like a calm monk imparting steely presence every time he stepped onto the field. Whatever be the case, the unassuming legend will always be one the brightest stars to have emerged from India.

#3 Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul was seldom noticed when Lara took centre stage

When you have the flamboyance and charisma of a Brian Lara at one end, very few will bat an eyelid for an almost crab-like approach of a Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Brian Lara, on his day, could take your breath away without even breaking a sweat, and the way he glided on and almost flew during his innings made for a compelling watch. And then the numbers he churned out is a testament to his genius.

And then there was a workman in the form of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who dug in and gritted it out almost every time he walked out to bat. His stance, his strokeplay and his stoic approach not meant for aesthetic pleasure, but the man carried the burden of his nation's batting for well over a decade. And when he finally hung his boots, the southpaw had amassed 11,867 Test runs and 8778 ODI runs.

But there is a reason why he was ever accorded his due recognition, and the reasons were for all to see, but then his potency and effectiveness can never be up for debate. His void is still felt by West Indies cricket!

#4 Morne Morkel

Morkel has somehow always come second when pitted against Steyn

Tall, mean and fast, these are the traits which spring to mind whenever Morne Morkel's name comes up, and there would hardly be any team around the world which would not include the lanky fast bowler in their team.

However, Morne has for some reason never been the menacing force in his own country, and irrespective of his several match-winning performances, he has forever remained in the shadows of Dale Steyn.

While Steyn is once in a lifetime bowler, who almost performs as if he is in a theatre, Morkel is more hard working and is not as talented as Steyn. But then this should not take away his worth and contribution to South Africa cricket.

Perhaps, Morkel now steps up and grabs the mantle and realises his true worth, and hence there is no reason why he cannot be a match winner like Steyn.

#5 Mark Waugh

Mark was always the unassuming sibling

Grace, class and poise, and then all combined to produce attractive runs, Mark Waugh was a genuine delight to watch. However, 'Junior', as he was nicknamed, never quite got the recognition. One of the primary reasons was the fact that played alongside his older sibling Steve Waugh, who was always earmarked for greatness.

Mark had style and charm, Steve had grit, Mark was a team player, Steve was a leader, reason enough for the limelight to be hogged by Steve.

Even if one looked beyond Steve, Australia had a brash young talent in the form of Ricky Ponting, and then a world-class keeper/batsman in the form of Adam Gilchrist. Mark was always behind in the recognition ladder, but this never deterred him from churning out match-winning performances for his team.