Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (30-21)

Following in the wake of ranks 40-31 last week, we continue our count down featuring the very best of players to represent India in Test cricket. This particular segment of our exclusive weekend special contains quite a few names from the current Indian team.

Here are the major factors which have been taken into consideration while assessing the impact created by these iconic 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.

(*Note: Statistics for all active players are accurate as of 15th October 2017)

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#30 Vijay Manjrekar

Unlike the rest of his Indian contemporaries, Vijay Manjrekar was brilliant against hostile pace

Even though he had been brought up on pitches predominantly assisting spinners in the domestic circuit, Vijay Manjrekar managed to master the art of batting against raw and hostile pace. Quashing all preconceived notions encircling the Indian batsmen of his era, the Mumbaikar hooked and pulled the quickest of bowlers with consummate ease.

Be it Fred Trueman's fiery spells or Graham McKenzie's deceptively quick deliveries, Vijay Manjrekar stood tall and emerged unscathed to shore up India's fortunes. However, a lackadaisical attitude towards fitness (not uncommon for cricketers of his era) prevented him from realizing his true potential. Nevertheless, his immense courage, as well as a flamboyant style of batting, earned the respect of numerous opponents across the globe. His son Sanjay also enjoyed a productive Test career before becoming a popular commentator.

Career Span: 1952-1965

Statistics: 3208 runs from 55 matches at an average of 39.12 with 7 centuries and 15 fifties

#29 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was among the key reasons for India's ascent to the number one ranking in 2009

On either side of fluctuating troughs, Gautam Gambhir established himself as one of the most reliable top-order batsmen across all three formats of the game between 2008 and 2011. His versatile skills helped him form a formidable opening combination with the dashing Virender Sehwag. Even though he had the ability to match his Delhi team mate stroke for stroke, the left-hander fashioned a mode of batting in his own image and developed the reputation of being a gritty customer in the Test arena.

Extra Cover: 5 best Test knocks by Gautam Gambhir

It was no coincidence that Gambhir walked away with the ICC Test Player of the Year award when India surged to the top of the Test rankings in 2009. In a batting lineup filled with plenty of accomplished stalwarts, he consistently stood out with his remarkable prowess against the turning ball. From the marathon 436-ball 137 which helped his country seal a series win in New Zealand to the fluent 138-ball 104 against Australia on a rapidly deteriorating surface in Mohali, Gambhir's finest encompassed a broad range.

Career Span: 2004-present

Statistics: 4154 runs from 58 matches at an average of 41.95 with 9 centuries and 22 fifties

#28 Polly Umrigar

Polly Umrigar was the bulwark of India's batting lineup during the 1950s

It might be an understatement to insist that Polly Umrigar was a man whose game touched multiple facets. Apart from being the most complete batsman in his lineup, he was also a serviceable bowler capable of drifting from sharp spin to sizzling swing. Adding his towering leadership as well as unwavering slip catching to the equation, the Sholapur-born cricketer was the nerve center of Indian cricket during a barren run in the 1950s.

If his double century against New Zealand in Hyderabad was the first by any batsman from his country, Umrigar also had a hand in India's maiden Test triumph against Australia. His four-wicket haul on a wearing track included the decisive scalps of Neil Harvey and Norman O'Neill. After a successful captaincy stint which comprised of two wins and as many losses, he had the fortitude to relinquish the post amidst a spat with the selectors. Following his death in 2006, the BCCI introduced an award in his honour for the outstanding cricketer of each season.

Career Span: 1948-1962

Statistics: 3631 runs from 59 matches at an average of 42.22 with 12 centuries and 14 fifties

#27 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's attacking captaincy and efficient batting have turned India into a formidable unit

Perhaps, no Indian cricketer represents the ambitions and aspirations of the current generation as much as Virat Kohli. Fuelled by his obstinate commitment to the game, the star batsman leads by example and demands only the very best from his team mates. Although they are yet to be truly tested outside of their comfort zone, India's recent dominance at the top of the Test rankings stems from their captain's fierce determination. It was such a trait that saw him reel one century after another during successive tours to Australia and also become the first man in the history of the game to score a double century each in four consecutive Test series during the 2016/17 season.

Already an all-time great in the limited-overs formats, Kohli is aiming to replicate his white-ball prowess in the Test arena as well. For a batsman of unparalleled work-ethic in the modern era, it is only a matter of time before he carves a niche for himself in the game's purest format too. If his bold captaincy and propensity for playing dynamic knocks are anything to go by, the future certainly looks rosy for the 28-year old from Delhi.

Career Span: 2011-present

Statistics: 4658 runs from 60 matches at an average of 49.55 with 17 centuries and 14 fifties

#26 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja can outclass even well-set batsmen with his remarkable control

From being the focal point of public lampooning in his early years, Ravindra Jadeja has made giant strides during the course of the last few seasons to become one of the most valuable cricketers in the Indian Test team. Possessing an exemplary capacity to land ball after ball on the perfect length, the metronome has proved to be an ideal foil for Ravichandran Ashwin's drift and loop. On pitches not offering much turn, the left-armer even overshadows his senior spin partner. In fact, among all bowlers with at least 100 wickets, his average of 23.60 is comfortably the best in Indian Test history.

Extra Cover: Ravindra Jadeja 2.0 has arrived and how

Apart from being a reputable spinner, Jadeja is also a more than handy batsman lower down the order. During India's 2016/17 home season, his attacking contributions often turned out to be extremely valuable in wresting momentum from visiting teams. The 28-year old's all-round exploits have lent substantial depth to the playing eleven.

Career Span: 2012-present

Statistics: 155 wickets from 32 matches at an average of 23.60 and strike-rate of 60.6 with 9 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul; 1136 runs at an average of 29.89 with 8 fifties

#25 Syed Kirmani

Syed Kirmani is probably the most gifted wicket-keeper produced by India

Among Indian wicket-keepers, only MS Dhoni has effected more Test dismissals than Syed Kirmani's tally of 160 catches and 38 stumpings. After showcasing his admirable dexterity against the venerated spin quartet on challenging pitches during the early phase of his career, he stitched together an enterprising partnership with pace spearhead Kapil Dev in his latter years.

If his work behind the stumps remained tidy right throughout his stay in the Indian team, Kirmani's resolute batting also shaped the lower-order's tenacity. In an era where runs were hard to come by, he managed to score two centuries. Countless wicket-keepers may have emerged since his tenure. However, his legacy in Indian cricket stands undiminished against the test of time.

Career Span: 1976-1986

Statistics: 160 catches and 38 stumpings; 2759 runs from 88 matches at an average of 27.04 with 2 centuries and 12 fifties

#24 Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara's impeccable temperament makes him a natural Test batsman

With his tight technique and unflappable temperament, Cheteshwar Pujara was destined for Test glory right from the moment he chose the tranquility of whites and strapped his pads on. Despite having the services of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, the team management showed tremendous foresight in promoting him up the batting order during his debut Test against Australia in 2010. Pujara promptly responded with an 89-ball 72 to enable India to cruise to a tricky fourth-innings target at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

However, it was the antithesis of his debut knock which helped Pujara obtain control of the crucial number three position in India's Test batting lineup. Upon honing his trade on the benign Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium in Rajkot, the compact right-hander acquired the habit of spending long hours at the crease on a regular basis. A temporary hiccup during the challenging 2014/15 away season as well as inexplicable scrutiny over his strike-rate could not intercept Pujara's insatiable appetite for mammoth scores. He is one of only five Indian batsmen with a Test average in excess of 50 from at least 1000 runs.

Career Span: 2010-present

Statistics: 4107 runs from 51 matches at an average of 52.65 with 13 centuries and 15 fifties

#23 Vijay Hazare

Vijay Hazare played a key role in defining India's rich batting legacy

If Fazal Mahmood paved the way for Pakistan's enviable culture of pace bowling, India's illustrious legacy of producing world-class batsmen began with Vijay Samuel Hazare. During an ignominious mismatch of epic proportions between Sir Don Bradman's invincible Australian team and an inexperienced Indian outfit in Adelaide during the 1947/48 series, Hazare salvaged his country's dignity by scoring a century in each innings.

Having risen through the ranks with an unorthodox batting technique, Hazare was spurred on by the iconic Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett who also served as coach during his formative years. When Trueman made a mockery of India's batting lineup with a sensational new-ball spell, he led from the front and offered steadfast resistance in the face of menacing pace bowling. Although his skills with the ball in hand were quite modest, Hazare can lay claim to something only very few bowlers could manage - clean bowl Bradman not once but twice in the same series.

Career Span: 1946-1953

Statistics: 2192 runs from 30 matches at an average of 47.65 with 7 centuries and 9 fifties

#22 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane has already established himself as one of India's most reliable batsmen in overseas conditions

Despite amassing runs aplenty in the domestic circuit, Ajinkya Rahane had to wait for his turn as the Indian batting lineup contained several proven performers. When the inaugural opportunity came, he put on a pantomime charade instead and came up with a couple of truly horrific shots on a dicey Delhi track. Following the emotional farewell of Sachin Tendulkar, the diminutive right-hander rose to the occasion and gave a solid account of his talent during the team's subsequent round of away tours.

After narrowly missing out on a century in Durban, he reached three figures for the first time in Wellington against a demanding New Zealand seam attack. His tour de force eventually arrived on an absolute greentop at Lord's. Under overcast skies, Rahane held India's innings together with a masterpiece and kept England's predatory seamers at bay. The knock not only set the platform for a famous Indian victory but also heralded the arrival of an all-weather batsman. In his promising career thus far, the soft-spoken cricketer has already played quite a few resounding knocks on testing surfaces away from the comforts of home conditions.

Career Span: 2013-present

Statistics: 2809 runs from 40 matches at an average of 47.61 with 9 centuries and 12 fifties

#21 Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath toiled long and hard on lifeless surfaces to deliver decisive spells for India

When the legendary Kapil Dev was entering the final lap of his captivating journey, a young tearaway broke through the ranks and instantly evoked a feeling of awe in Indian cricket circles. Armed with an unusually high-arm action and oodles of pace, Javagal Srinath created an alluring impression in his first few matches on tour. However, he found himself perched on the sidelines for quite some time as focus shifted to home series and the accompanying rank turners.

After Kapil's retirement and the increasing demand for a trustworthy fast bowler, Srinath metamorphosed himself into a workhorse and began to send down vast amounts of overs on non-conducive surfaces. The right-armer's incredible control of the old ball was on display during a searing spell of reverse-swing which propelled India to their maiden Test victory against South Africa at Ahmedabad. Even as the lack of suitable seam support continued to swell his workload, Srinath continued to respond to his captain's calls with an affable smile and eventually finished with a creditable tally of wickets from a sterling career.

Career Span: 1991-2002

Statistics: 236 wickets from 67 matches at an average of 30.49 and strike-rate of 64 with 10 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul