India is regarded as a batting juggernaut ever since the country made its debut in Test cricket eight decades ago. Since when the royals and elite controlled this sport, India has sent some truly outstanding batsmen to the field to represent the nation. Since batting has received so much attention, it is difficult to remember any famous Indian test bowlers. The Indian spinning quartet, known for their skill and ability to outwit the batsmen, won over Indian cricket fans in the 1960s, changing the situation from what it was earlier.
The majority of Indian cricket’s history has seen administrators and spectators alike perceive bowlers as “inferior subjects.” This is among the factors contributing to the Indian team’s inability to defeat rivals in Test matches. The nation has produced its fair share of batting icons indisputably, but that is a tale for another day. This article highlights a few of the ICC- batsmen who have represented India globally.
- Sachin Tendulkar
Who could dispute the claim that Sachin Tendulkar was destined just to play cricket? He became the best batsman in the world, justifying the excitement which enveloped him from his teenage years. In India, he is regarded as a god and a running machine.
Tendulkar continued to scale peaks and shatter records for 24 years at the prime level. He started with his debut match against Pakistan as a 16-year-old boy. Sachin was a flawless stroke maker who crushed bowling assaults globally while amassing hundreds against every Test-playing nation he faced.
He retired after playing a remarkable 200 Test matches with a total of 15,921 runs at an all-time average of 53.78 and hitting 51 hundred. This made him the most prestigious, accomplished, and perhaps the greatest batsman in history.
- Sunil Gavaskar
The Indian cricket team had created stars in various series and seasons. But, they had never had one player in their ranks who could completely dominate the opposition. Gavaskar, regardless of who the bowler was and in any weather anywhere in the world.
Gavaskar made his name by earning 774 runs in 4 Test matches during his debut series against West Indies in 1971 (with 4 hundred & 3 fifties). It was an impressive beginning to a dazzling career despite a fierce and violent attack.
He continued on to become one of the best opening batsmen in the world, and there was no turning back. He was one of the most reliable and the first person to ever surpass the coveted 10,000-run milestone. Sunny scored 10,122 runs with an average – of 51.12 in 125 Test matches, including 34 centuries and 45 fifties.
- Rahul Dravid
There are valid arguments claiming that Rahul Dravid is indeed the greatest batsman to have represented India in Test cricket. As a result of his perseverance and patience, ‘The Wall’ became known as being among the game’s all-time greatest players and the fourth-highest run scorer.
In a phase of stroke makers, Dravid made his debut at Lord’s with a stunning 95 and went on to revive the romance of traditional Test match batting. He was able to always squeeze the most out of an inning thanks to his perseverance and methodical approach. He currently holds the mark for the most balls faced in a Test match.
Rahul Dravid played in 164 Test Matches during which he made an astounding 13,288 runs with an average of 52.31. He managed to score 36 centuries and 63 fifty-sixes. Notably, he also made 210 catches, which is a record for a non-wicketkeeper in the sport’s history.
- VVS Laxman
Laxman’s 281-run marathon against Australia at Eden Gardens Stadium in Calcutta in 2001 is regarded as his best Test inning. After that historic victory, India’s attitude is said to have changed, transforming them into a team motivated by ambition.
The “Very Very Special” Laxman, however, was much more than a one-inning sensation. As a replacement opener, he didn’t have the best start but he quickly improved to become a fearsome batter in the game. He frequently shone in the face of hardship and was at his finest when the going got tough.Â
He was a skilled player with powerful wrists who could dominate the best assaults in unfavourable batting situations. In 134 Test Matches, he completed his career by scoring a total of 8781 runs at 45.97, with 17 hundred and 56 fifties.
- Virender Sehwag
After observing Virender Sehwag’s combative and reckless style of play. No one would have wagered on his becoming a Test cricketer. However, Sehwag not only performed admirably in the five-day format and developed into one of the most perilous opening batsmen to ever hold the willow.
He is only the fourth batsman in cricket history to have scored two triple-hundreds, and his third was just missed when he was out for 293 runs. He led all batters who performed in over 100 Test Matches in terms of strike rate, with an incredible 82.33.
Sehwag scored 8586 runs with an average of 49.34, smashing 23 centuries and 32 fifties in 104 Test Matches.
- Gundappa Viswanath
Viswanath possessed a unique blend of superb stroke play and magician’s wrists. This is an uncommon combination in Indian cricket and has had a fair amount of stroke players. Viswanath is one of the rare Indian batters who has excelled on either side of the wicket.
People who supported Indian cricket or played against him claim that he was as good a batter as Gavaskar. Despite statistics showing that he was well below Gavaskar (in terms of runs & hundreds). In 91 tests, he scored 6080 runs for an average of 41.93, including 14 notable centuries and 35 fifties.
- Sourav Ganguly
It wasn’t a perfect lead-up to Sourav Ganguly’s test debut because some viewed him as a “quota cricketer” and wanted to see him end his career with a defeat. Ganguly was fortunate to score 100 runs in both his first test match at Lord’s and his subsequent match at Trent Bridge, proving that fate was on his side.
He solidified his position in the team and went on to radically transform the Indian team with his skilled leadership. After a heated argument with the team’s then-coach Greg Chappell, Ganguly was fired. But, he later made a great comeback and delivered some of his greatest memorable hits before hanging up his cleats.
He scored 7212 runs with an average – of 42.17 in 100 plus Test Matches, including 16 hundreds and 35 fifty-pluses.
- Virat Kohli
Being named one of the nation’s all-time greatest Test batters in the middle of their career is uncommon, but the Indian skipper is no ordinary cricketer. The ICC ranking batsman in the entire world now, Kohli has produced an amazing performance in red-ball cricket.
Based on his recent exploits, experts have already predicted that he will eventually smash the majority of batting records that remain unbroken. Virat is a competitive cricketer with a traditional stroke who saves his best play for the most difficult opponents.
He has played in 60 plus Test Matches and scored 5754 runs at a rate of 54.28, including 22 centuries and 17 fifty-sevens. For someone who hasn’t yet reached the height of his abilities.
