Beyond The 20
260 cricketers have represented India in Tests in the last 77 years.
Here, we throw light on many of the remaining 240.
Here, we throw light on many of the remaining 240.
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The highest level of the game is an unforgiving place. And usually an unsentimental one - just plain black-and-white results count for anything here. Very often, it wasn't talent that prevented many of these wonderful cricketers from achieving greater things for themselves and the team (and being on the Top 20 list). Political compulsions (Merchant, Hazare), being on the wrong side of political correctness (Lala Amarnath, Deepak Shodhan, Budhi Kunderan), unavoidable physical injury (Pataudi Jr, Nari Contractor), being at the wrong place at the wrong time (Doshi, Amre, Das, Chopra), temperamental flaws (Patil, Sivaramakrishnan, Kambli, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel), inability to handle pressure (S Viswanath, Jaffer, Agarkar) or quite simply a lack of focus and application (the most common problem) all have had their say at different times.
Before the commercialization of the game really began, which is pretty much anytime before the last two decades, cricketers played more for pride and respect rather than money. But despite the innocence of the early days, it is staggering to comprehend the amount of scheming and machinations that took place around the national cricket team.
In the 1930s, India played 7 Tests, losing 5 and drawing 2. They were still finding their feet in international cricket.
In the early days of Indian Test cricket, there were figures like CK Nayudu (1932-1936: avg 25 in 7 Tests; 9 wickets at 43) - India's first Test captain, who led India out in 1932 at the age of 37. With an impressive first-class record (avg 36 in 207 matches; 411 wickets at 29) he was a formidable figure in Indian cricket when India entered international cricket. His Test record clearly does not do justice to his abilities or his reputation, but unfortunately our parameters don't allow us to accommodate what could have been but for the grace of God.
Two of India's most talked-about players in the early days were pace bowlers Md Nissar (1932-1936; 25 wkts in 6 Tests at 28) and Amar Singh (1932-36; 28 wkts in 7 Tests at 31) - both had their careers nipped in the bud due to the War (Amar Singh died in 1940 at the age of 29). Legendary batsmen like Sutcliffe, Hutton and Hammond rated these two as among the greatest fast bowling duos ever - they were both quick; they could swing the ball and cut it sharply. Their reputation was built on performances in "unofficial tests" in India and English domestic cricket, which is a pity really.
Nawab of Pataudi Sr (1932-1934 for England; 1946 for India; avg 20 in 6 Tests) is the only Test cricketer to have played for both England and India. He played just 3 Tests for India (as captain) in 1946 and his impact as a player was negligible here, averaging just 11 (he was 36, way past his prime). Maharaja of Vizianagram - Vizzy (1936; averaged 8 in 3 Tests) used his wealth and power to captain India in the 1936 tour to England. He was a poor captain and an even worse player, and certainly one of the worst influences in the history of Indian cricket.
In the 1940s, India played 13 Tests, losing 6 and drawing 7. India lost 10 years of Test cricket between 1936 and 1946, thanks to the Second World War. This prevented some of the finest talent to express itself in its prime.
Vijay Merchant (1933-1951; avg 48 in 10 Tests) is considered India's finest pre-independence batsman; his first class batting average is an unbelievable 72 in 150 matches. He played all his ten Tests against England and made his highest Test score in his last innings - 154 vs England (the oldest Indian, at 40, to score a Test century). A shoulder injury forced him to retire after that, enabling him to make the famous comment that "Why?" is a better response than "Why not?" when mulling about someone's retirement.
Lala Amarnath (1933-1952; avg 24 in 24 Tests; 45 wkts at 33) scored a dashing century on debut (in just 3 hours) against England but never another one. His first-class record (avg 41 in 186 matches; 463 wkts at 23) made him India's first non-elite cricket star. He went on to court controversy when he rocked the "royalty" domination of Indian cricket which made him unpopular with the establishment. He paid the price (some say even his son Mohinder did later) and had to jostle with cricket politics for the rest of his playing career, which might have affected his performance too. He even captained India in 15 Tests (winning 2 and losing 6).
Cricket politics and intrigue was a big part of the international career package for an Indian Test cricketer in those days, and well, later too, but those early days were something else.
Mushtaq Ali (1934-1952; avg 32 in 11 Tests) - a supremely stylish player, famous for his pull shot, also paid the price for rubbing the establishment the wrong way. Not much else can also explain the short careers of Rusi Modi (1946-1952; avg 46 in 10 Tests) or Madhav Apte (1952-53; avg 49 in 7 Tests) or Jasu Patel (1955-1960; 29 wkts in 7 tests at 22) or most notoriously Deepak Shodhan (1952-1953; avg 60 in 3 Tests). Shodhan still tops the list of Indian Test cricket's batting averages but could not make the team then because of his reported non-alignment with team politics. Vinoo Mankad allegedly asked him if he was in his faction or Hazare's, and Shodhan is supposed to have famously replied - India's. Ironically, that was the one group he went on to not be a part of, since he was never picked to play for India again.
From the 1950s, Test cricket began in earnest in India. In that decade, India played 44 Tests, winning 6 and losing 17. The first Test victory came in Chennai 1952, vs England. That was also the first Test series India drew. In 1959, India beat Australia for the first time (in Kanpur) in a Test and drew the series 1-1.
Vijay Manjrekar (1951-1965; avg 39 in 55 Tests) was considered by many to be the finest Indian player of fast bowling in his era; centuries in Headingly and Kingston sealed that reputation. He scored most of his runs in India though, averaging 46 in 35 Tests at home. Unfortunately, his weight problems led to heavy footwork which affected his performance and he is considered by many to have underachieved.
Dattu Phadkar (1947-1959; avg 32 in 31 Tests; 62 wkts at 37) was a genuine star attraction in his playing days. A middle-order batsman who bowled medium pace, he played some crucial innings for India in Test cricket. Pankaj Roy (1951-1960: avg 33 in 43 Tests) is most famous for his world record 413-run opening partnership with Vinoo Mankad. He was consistent in success as well as failure, which perhaps explains his overall average. GS Ramchand (1952-1960; avg 25 in 33 Tests; 41 wkts for 46) captained India in 5 Tests, with his sole victory being the landmark first one ever against Australia. His lack of consistency resulted in mediocre Test figures overall but he was capable of some stunning innings like 109 (out of 251) vs Australia in 1956 or the twin 48 and 67* against West Indies in 1958. Hemu Adhikari (1947-1959; avg 31 in 21 tests) ended his career with a bang - by scoring his second highest tally of runs in one match (103), and by taking his only three test wickets. It was also the only time he captained India. Bizarrely, he was never picked again and thus ended a career that had promised much more than it had delivered overall. He was unfortunate as it was to have made his debut at 29 because of the War and for missing out on half the Tests after that because of his day job - as an army officer. That discipline served him well when he came back as coach and manager of the triumphant Indian side of the 1971 and instilled the value of physical fitness, which, as it turned out, would have a significant impact.
Ghulam Ahmed (1948-1958; 68 wkts at 30 in 22 Tests) was a fine off-break bowler who formed India's first spinning trio with Mankad and Gupte (both on the main list). His 10-130 against Australia in Calcutta 1956 is an example of how effective he could be even on his own. Led India in 3 Tests. DK Gaekwad (1952-1961; avg 18 in 11 Tests), also from a royal background, captained India in 4 Tests to England (lost all four). Sadly, his Test career was equally disheartening and he never managed to fully establish himself. Bapu Nadkarni (1955-1968; avg 26 in 41 Tests; 88 wkts at 29) bowled over 1500 overs of left arm spin in Tests and till date has one of the finest economy rates of just 1.7 runs per over. Bowling figures like 32-27-5-0 (vs England, Madras 1964) were not uncommon for him. Was also a difficult batsman to dislodge and played some important innings for India. Would have been a perfect ODI player.
In the 1960s, India played 52 Tests, winning 9 and losing 21. In 1962, the first Test series victory against England was completed 2-0. Sadly, this was followed by a 0-5 thrashing in the West Indies. In 1964, India won its 2nd Test against Australia and drew a series for the first time against this opponent (1-1). In 1968, India won an away series for the first time, beating New Zealand 3-1.
Nari Contractor (1955-1962; avg 32 in 31 Tests) was a tragic figure in Indian cricket history after a Charlie Griffith bouncer knocked him out unconscious (and it wasn't even a Test match) and ended his career. He'd had a good run with the bat but an even better one as captain - as India's youngest ever captain at 26 (till then) and winning India's first ever series against England in 1961-62. Chandu Borde (1958-1969; avg 36 in 55 Tests; 52 wkts at 46) was a genuine all-rounder in first-class cricket (331 wkts at 27) but is more famous internationally as one of India's most reliable batsmen during his time. Seen as a more dashing version of Hazare, he was also considered a fine player of fast bowling. Scoring 109 and 96 in just his fourth Test against a strong West Indies attack, Borde raised expectations higher than he could fulfill for the rest of his career. Still, there were many stirring performances from him - like the 2 fifties and 4 wickets he took in Calcutta and then 5 wickets in Madras during India's first series victory against England in 1961. Or the two centuries against West Indies in 1966-67. After a poor run of 11 Tests, he was replaced by Gundappa Viswanath (no. 7 on our main list). ML Jaisimha (1959-1971; avg 31 in 39 Tests) was the cricketing heartthrob of his time - inherently stylish in everything he did, on and off the field. Was the first in a line of Hyderabadi cricketing stylists, which later produced Azharuddin and VVS Laxman. Had some highly substantial moments on the field (such as 74 and 101 in Brisbane 1968, or 33 and 129 vs England in Calcutta 1964) - unfortunately was consistent both at his best and worst form.
Ramakant Desai (1959-1968; 74 wkts at 37) was India's best medium pacer of his era. He was short (barely 5ft 4') but powerful enough to carry the pace department for India for most of the 1960s. With little support at the other end (except for spinners), he was predictably over-bowled. Budhi Kunderan (1960-1967; avg 33 in 18 Tests; 23 ct, 7 St) was one of India's most underrated cricketers who possibly did not get his due. A fine wicketkeeper batsman, he opened in more than 60 % of his Test innings, scoring two centuries against England. Perhaps he was a victim of the same politics and intrigue that has plagued Indian sport eternally, which made him play his last Test at the age of 29.
Nawab of Pataudi Jr (1961-1975; avg 35 in 46 Tests) became Indian captain in just his fourth Test at the age of 21, just months after he had lost sight of his right eye due to a car accident in England. His potential as a batsman is therefore difficult to judge fully but to average 35 with just one eye, he must have been pretty special. It is as captain that his major contribution to Indian cricket was made - not just for the confidence he instilled in the team as a unit, but also the strategic choices he effected, like playing to the team's strength always even if it meant playing three spinners. Captained India in 40 tests (won 9, lost 19 drew 12). Hanumant Singh (1964-1969; avg 31 in 14 Tests) too had a royal background, but his gentle, easy demeanor perhaps was not the best accompaniment to his considerable talent. Many feel he significantly underachieved.
Salim Durrani (1960-1973; avg 25 in 29 Tests; 75 wkts at 35) was the first "rock star" of Indian cricket. A mercurial player with both bat (left hand dasher) and ball (left arm slow) - he could turn games around on his own steam, on his day. And there were a few of those - which made him one of the biggest crowd-pullers of his time, filmstars notwithstanding. The "we want a six" chant probably originated with him at the crease. Farokh Engineer (1961-1975; avg 31 in 46 Tests; 66 ct, 16 st) was the premier Indian wicketkeeper batsman of his time. For someone who set new paradigms for keeping to spinners (like the awesome quartet) he was no mean bat, as his 94 before lunch against the West Indies (off Hall, Sobers, Griffith and Gibbs) in 1967 testifies. 55% of his innings were in the opening position - where he averaged 33.
In the 1970s, India played 64 Tests, winning 17 and losing 19. In 1971, there were two landmark away series wins, in West Indies and England (both by 1-0). Then, just to prove it was no fluke, India beat England at home again - 2-1. Unfortunately, this euphoria was somewhat neutralized in an extreme way with a 0-4 thrashing in England in 1974. Two memorable series followed against the West Indies in 1975 and 1976 though India lost both (2-3 and 1-2) with an away win against New Zealand (2-0) in between. India won its first Test in Australia in 1977 (against a Packer-compromised side), though losing the series 2-3.
Dilip Sardesai (1961-1972; avg 39 in 30 Tests) In February 1971, Sardesai got his last shot at Test cricket in West Indies. In his last 5 Tests, he averaged 12, and he hadn't hit a 50 in 6 years. And then, everything changed - starting with 212 in the very first Test. He hit another century in the next Test - a landmark one - India beat West Indies for the first time in their backyard, and a legend made his debut in the same Test. Sunil Gavaskar got 774 in the series, but Sardesai was not far behind with 642. He would play critical knocks of 54 and 40 in the next landmark win at the Oval too, just six months later - a last hurrah in a career that perhaps could have reached out for more.
Abid Ali (1967-1974; avg 21 in 29 Tests; 47 wkts at 42) was an effective bits and pieces cricketer who could be outstanding on his day. For a tidy medium medium-pacer, he made a dream debut against Australia with 6-55 but for most of his career he was a shine-remover before the maestro spinners came on. Was an effective lower order batsman. Would have been a great ODI asset. Eknath Solkar (1969-1977; avg 25 in 27 Tests; 18 wkts at 59) is the only Indian cricketer in history remembered more as a specialist catcher and fielder than for any other accomplishment on the field (53 catches in 27 tests, most at short leg - the best matches-catches ratio in Test history internationally). The 4 spinners counted him as their closest ally, even more than the wicketkeeper. A useful medium pace bowler and lower order bat, much like Abid Ali, he too would have been a valued ODI player. Ashok Mankad (avg 25 in 22 Tests), like most cricketer sons of illustrious fathers (in this case a legend), suffered immensely in comparison. He batted in all positions between 1 and 8 and never got established in the side, despite substantial opening partnerships with Gavaskar in West Indies (1971). Inconsistency (perhaps stemming from uncertainty) finished his international career before he had got his eye in perhaps (despite 44, 38 and 16 in his last 3 Test innings). His first-class career (avg 51 in 218 matches) flourished for a while.
S Venkatraghavan (1965-1983; 156 wkts in 57 Tests at 36) was one of the famed spin quartet, but is considered (by us too) behind the other three. Ironically, Venkat played longer than any of the four, and more Tests than Prasanna - the preferred off-spinner over him for the most part. He was also Indian captain for the 1979 tour to England (and the first two ODI World Cups) and vice-captain during the twin overseas triumphs of 1971. His overall bowling average of 36 and away bowling average of 44 belie his status as a fine spinner who would perhaps have made his place in most international teams. Between 1993 and 2004, he was also a highly respected international umpire.
Ajit Wadekar (1966-1974; avg 31 in 37 Tests) was immortalized because of the hat trick of series victories between 1971 and 1973 against West Indies and England, when he was Indian captain. He was very lucky that a bunch of hugely talented players established themselves during his reign which definitely reflected in the results (most notably Gavaskar, Viswanath and the quartet of spinners). As a batsman, he played some fine innings and occupied the no. 3 position with success. He tended to get bogged down as captain though (averaged 27 with the bat as captain) and the disastrous England series of 1974 ended his career on a sad, and perhaps undeserving, low. Both the highs and lows of his career caused over-reactions amongst the Indian public, the media and the cricket administration. A sign of things to come perhaps.
Illustrations by Shriya Ghate
