Top ten Karnataka cricketers to have played for India - Part 1

3. Roger Binny

World Cup 1983 semi final England v India at Old Trafford Roger Binny after bowling Graeme Fowler

Roger Michael Humphrey Binny was the first cricketer of Anglo Indian decent to play for India. He made his debut for India at his home ground in Bangalore in 1979, against Pakistan, and made a good impression against the likes of Imran Khan.

Binny will always be remembered for his exploits in the 1983 World Cup, where he ended up as the highest wicket taker with 18 wickets and in the process helped India win their first World cup. Binny was always an under rated bowler, who generally bowled medium pace swingers dipping into and moving out from the batsmen. But if there was anything in the pitch, he would be your man to exploit it.

Binny had some notable performances in Test cricket both with ball and bat. The seven wickets that he picked up in the Test match against England at Headingley in 1986 and his 6 for 56 against Pakistan at Calcutta were notable, as was the unbeaten 83 he scored against Pakistan at Bangalore in 1983.

There is this continued talk in Indian cricket over who was the best all-rounder to have played for India after Kapil Dev. Roger Binny has strong credentials to stake a claim.