5 unlikely Indian heroes who have now been forgotten

#4 Narendra Hirwani

Narendra Hirwani terrorised the West Indies batsmen in a Test in 1988

For a leg spinner who was touted to be the next Indian legend, Narendra Hirwani is unfortunately remembered only by a handful of cricket historians these days. Though never considered to be an ODI specialist having bagged a modest 23 wickets in his 18 ODIs, he picked up an incredible 66 wickets from the 17 Tests he played for India.

His most famous achievement was perhaps his match-winning spells in his debut Test against the West Indies at Chennai in 1988. Hirwani turned the ball prodigiously and slipped in googlies in between to quickly get rid of Richardson, Logie and Hopper. The West Indies ended the day at 147 for 5 with Sir Viv Richards unbeaten on 62.

According to one popular anecdote, the rookie leg-spinner had pledged to get rid of the legendary Richards the next day. He had told his roommate Chetan Sharma: “Uska danda maroonga.” (I will get him bowled.) He was true to this word as the West Indian great failed to read a flipper and Hirwani castled him in his second over the next day.

Hirwani finished with 1st innings figures of 18.3-3-61-8. Chasing a huge total of 416 to win, the West Indies once again succumbed to Hirwani's magic in the 2nd innings. Hirwani was almost unplayable now as he ran through the famous West Indian line-up once again, coming away with figures of 15.2-3-75-8.

Hirwani picked 16 wickets in his debut Test to equal Bob Massie's record for most Test wickets in a match by a debutant -- a joint record that still stands to this day. Hirwani continued his great form against the Kiwis in the next series and had an astounding tally of 36 wickets from his first 4 Tests.