5 Greatest India Test batsmen ever

It often turns out to be a disputable topic if there ever has to be a ‘greatest of all time’ list. Opinions are split and there could be various contradictions and discussions that could arise. This is one of those never-ending dialectics and the ‘5 Greatest Test batsmen that India has ever produced’ is no exception.

However, this brings out the cricket appeal amongst the fans and incites them to involve in a rather healthy discussion. India has always been a batting power-house. From time to time, eras irrespective, we’ve witnessed many great batsmen burst onto the scene. These players frequently left the aficionadi spellbound with the magic they yielded from their willows.

Since there are so many greats that are fabricated regularly in India, it gets really puzzling to pick the best five out of them. It is quite a challenging task to leave out any player. Hence, this list doesn’t take away anything from any player and has no intentions of undermining their contributions. On that note, here is the list of five greatest batsmen India has ever produced.

Five greatest Test batsmen from India:

5. VVS Laxman

“I hope his back for the next week as well and he can’t play” – Ricky Ponting. These words are enough to prove what a wizard Laxman was. Australia, which was one of the most intimidating teams in the 2000s could just take on and outsmart any batsman in the world. But, it was very much different with this ‘Very, Very Special’ batsman from the City of Nizams. So much so that a fearless Aussie captain in the form of Ricky Ponting prayed that he wouldn’t play.

Green seaming pitches? Half the side back in the hut without many runs on the board? Come what may, there was always one assurance in the Indian dressing room for more than a decade. Despite the situation and the pressure, VVS always had his ice-cool shower bath before he came out to bat and it only reflected on the field. With his wristy hands, he has left everyone mesmerised, right from his teammates, coaches to the opponents. His 281 against Australia in 2001 is certainly one of the best Test knocks you’ll ever see.

As Harsha Bhogle rightly described, Laxman has always been the artist and never the superstar in his entire career. He never hogged the limelight like many of his counterparts, yet it is the trance that he has drawn the audience into which has garnered him with a lot of fans. As quoted by Ian Chappel: “You will have to see VVS Laxman bat to understand his magic.”

Career stats:

Matches – 134 | Runs scored – 8,781 | Batting Average – 45.5 | 100s/50s – 17/56 | Best score – 281

4. Gundappa Viswanath

Not many from the current age would have seen Gundappa Viswanath play. He is one of those few players who relied immensely on timing and very few batsmen play the square cut or the flick better than him. VVS Laxman and Mohammad Azharuddin are the only two players who could come close to his wristy shots. During his playing days, fans were split into two groups, the Gavaskar disciples and his own followers. However, the duo shared a wonderful rapport and Vishy went on to marry Sunny G’s sister, Kavita.

Of the very few players that Sunil used to adore, Viswanath is right there at the top. The Karnataka batsman scored a double century on his Ranji debut. On his international debut, he bagged a duck first up and then followed it up with a century in the second innings. This match, however, ended up being a draw. After this, he scored 13 centuries and not for once did India lose the game which is a testimony of how a dominative force he was. Remember, batsmen used to play without helmets back in those days facing some of the best pacers in the business.

His unbeaten 97 against the West Indies back in 1975 which took India home is one of his knocks that will remain etched in the memories of fans forever. That knock was rated the second best non-century knock by Wisden. In 2009, Vishy was bestowed with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Award for lifetime achievement, which is the highest honour in Indian cricket.

Career stats:

Matches – 91 | Runs scored – 6,080 | Batting Average – 41.93 | 100s/50s – 35/14 | Best score – 222

3. Rahul Dravid

As described by Harsha Bhogle, “The wolf who lived for the pack” is the perfect way one could sum up the career of Rahul Dravid. This man has lived under the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar throughout his career. He was the man who relied on hard work more than anything else. Known to be one of the finest gentlemen who has played the game, Dravid is just the perfect example for any youngster who wants to take up the sport.

The number three batsman always put the team ahead of him. Irrespective of what was demanded, he always put his hand up and delivered. Be it keeping the wickets or batting anywhere in the lineup, he was always there. “The Wall” bailed the side out of the toughest of situations on several occasions. Dravid is such a patient person that he could easily bat for hours and take the pulp out of the opposition. He has faced over 31k deliveries in his Test career. He is always there to help the players, be it his teammates or his opponents which makes him a true role model for many.

Dravid never really sought glory and went about his work silently. He was also inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame recently for all his contributions. A fan’s placard that read: Sachin is the god. Sourav is the god on the off-side. Laxman is the god of 4th innings. But when the doors of the temple are closed, even the gods are behind the ‘Wall’, shows how highly this legend was regarded.

Career stats:

Matches – 164 | Runs scored – 13,288 | Batting Average – 52.31 | 100s/50s – 63/36 | Best score – 270

2. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar was probably one of those first ‘run machines’ ever in international cricket. The man with some extreme grit and courage completely redefined how batting is looked at. Facing some of the fiercest bowling lineups of all time, this ‘little master’ never backed off and is arguably one of the best openers ever.

He was technically one of the most gifted batsmen and had every shot in the book. Sunny was an astute judge of the line and length of the ball and went onto either the front foot or the back foot with so much ease. He was that most prized wicket for the opposition having dominated almost every bowling line-up in the 70s and the 80s. Gavaskar’s conversion rate from the 50s to the 100s is something which is still quite exemplary.

The first man to 10,000 Test runs, Gavaskar had the most centuries (34) in the longest format at the time of his retirement. He has also got four Test double centuries to his name. One would hardly find batsmen who prized their wicket as much as this little man did. A veteran of 125 Tests, Gavaskar had quite a few feathers in his hat by the time he retired before, of course, Sachin Tendulkar took him over.

Career stats:

Matches – 125 | Runs scored – 10,122 | Batting Average – 51.12 | 100s/50s – 45/34 | Best score – 236

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachiiiiiiin, Sachin! These are the chants that still reverberate in the minds of the fans even after all these years. Sachin Tendulkar– a man who carried the burden of a billion dreams on his shoulders changed the way the world looks at cricket. Having made his Test debut at a tender age of 16, his career spanned for over 24 years leaving many absolutely mesmerised.

He has represented the country across generations and has seen several players come and go right in front of him. His dream run in 1998, the exceptional show in World Cup 2003, the battles against Shane Warne, they were all a treat to watch. Sachin owns almost every record in international cricket and terrified the oppositions just with his presence in the middle.

There were several occasions where he alone carried the entire Indian lineup on his shoulders and fans turned their television sets off once he got out. With over 34,000 international runs and 100 international centuries, he has managed to inspire people of all ages. A fatal injury like the ‘tennis elbow’ failed to stop him and similar was the case with many other injuries and powers that tried to halt his progress. Hailed to be the ‘God’, he is undoubtedly the man who would top this list.

Career stats:

Matches – 200 | Runs scored – 15,921 | Batting Average – 53.79 | 100s/50s – 68/51 | Best score – 248