10 great players who failed to make a mark in India

Cricket has had its fair share of legends. There are players who have shown class irrespective of pitch, conditions and opponents. Then there are some players who have done exactly the same at all places but one. You can call it jinx or luck or anything you want to.It doesn’t take their greatness away, but it does provide a talking point on their illustrious career. India, for example, has been a tough country to visit due to its turning tracks and scorching heat. Let’s have a look at some great cricketers who failed to adapt to the Indian conditions.

#10 Muttiah Muralitharan (SL)

No other bowler has picked 800 wickets in Test Cricket

Voted as the best Test bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in 2002, Muralitharan holds numerous records in Test cricket including most wickets (800) and most five-fors (67). Being from the sub-continent, Indian conditions should not have bothered him much.

But his enviable bowling average of 22.72 goes up to 45.45 which is shocking to say the least. Fondly known as the Smiling Assassin for his ever-present smile, Murali managed only 40 wickets in the 11 Tests he played in India which is nowhere near the legend’s usual self.

#9 Ricky Ponting (AUS)

Ponting became only the second batsman to aggregate 13000 Test runs

Arguably the most successful captain to have graced the game, the legendary Aussie skipper has miserably struggled in India. Having amassed more than 13000 Test runs at an average of 51.85, his average on Indian soil is as low as 26.48.

In the 27 innings he has played in India, he managed to reach triple figures only once. In fact, his average in India is the lowest amongst all other countries he has played in. He has registered a duck thrice on these pitches, which is also joint highest in his career alongside South Africa.

#8 Shane Warne (AUS)

Warne is regarded as the greatest leg-spinner of all time

One of the best (if not the best) leg-spinners the game has ever seen, Shane Warne’s inclusion in the list might not come as a surprise to ardent cricket followers. The stylish leggie has 708 wickets to his name but has surprisingly struggled in Indian conditions.

His enviable average of 25.41 goes as high as 43.11 and he could manage only 34 wickets in 9 Tests on turning Indian tracks which is substandard for a spinner known for his turning deliveries.

#7 Graeme Smith (SA)

Smith became captain at the age of 22

Touted as one of the most successful captains in Test history let alone South Africa’s, the left-handed opener was a delight to watch in his prime. Over 9000 runs at an average of 48.25 with 27 centuries are indeed stats of a great career.

But, India is the only Test playing nation where he couldn’t score a hundred and his average dropped below 36 which is below par for a player of his class and quality.

#6 Brett Lee (AUS)

Lee has taken more than 300 Test wickets

One of the fastest bowlers to have played the game, Brett Lee was a key member of the Australian cricket team that dominated world cricket for almost a decade. “Binga” as he is fondly called, has a career average of 30.81 that almost doubles (61.62) on Indian soil.

The New South Wales speedster has scalped 310 Test wickets but could manage only 8 wickets in the 4 Tests he played in India. Even though, fast bowlers generally do not get much assistance, world class seamers have always found a way to bowl and have used reverse swing to good effect.

#5 Chris Gayle (WI)

Despite scoring two triple 100’s, he hasn’t done well in India

Those of you who think that the big Jamaican is a limited overs specialist, Chris Gayle has a formidable record in Test matches. 7214 runs with a career average of 42.18 with 2 triple hundreds is by no means a bad record for a batsman in this format.

Most of us have seen him tormenting the bowlers in the IPL and hence his lowly average of 28.55 and failure to register a Test century in India comes as a shock.

#4 Adam Gilchrist (AUS)

Gilly is regarded as the finest Wicket-keeper batsman ever

Arguably the best wicket-keeper batsman of all time, Adam Gilchrist’s name is enough to send shivers down the bowler’s spine. He is the one who redefined the wicket-keeper’s role in a team. “Gilly” as he is fondly called, has an enviable batting average of 47.60 (17 hundreds) for a keeper who spent most of his career batting at No.7.

His average of 28.50 on Indian soil is quite low by the high standards set by himself. Even though he is usually severe against the spinners, the unexpected turn and bounce has had the better of him on most of the occassions.

#3 Mohammad Yousuf (PAK)

Mohammad Yousuf has tasted success all over the world

The stylish Pakistan batsman holds the record for most runs in a calendar year(1788 in 2006). He and the then skipper Inzamam-Ul-Haq made a formidable pairing in the Pakistan middle order. While his average in India of 33.73 is decent, it is fairly low as compared to his stunning career average of 52.29.

Considered as one of the most reliable middle order batsmen, Yousuf could only score a single hundred in the 17 innings he played in India.

#2 Martin Crowe (NZ)

Martin Crowe is widely regarded as the greatest New Zealand batsman

Once credited as one of the “best young batsman in the world”, the legendary New Zealand batsman scored runs at will against all oppositions. An average of 44.65 in a career consisting 77 Test matches came down to a lowly 16.66 in matches played in India.

The Wisden cricketer of the year in 1985 failed to register a 50 on Indian soil. In fact, India is the only country where he could not register a half-century or century which is quite shocking considering some of the names who have been successful here.

#1 Desmond Haynes (WI)

Desmond Haynes played 116 Tests

Known as one of the most destructive openers of all-time, West Indies great Desmond Haynes has struggled in India. The Wisden cricketer of the year in 1991 has a career average of 42.29 with 18 centuries in 116 Test matches.

But while playing in India, his average drops down to 22.17. The right-handed maestro failed to score a single century in the 18 innings he played in India which is quite surprising by his high standards.