They say cricket is a religion in India. It’s the common thread that runs across the length and breadth of the country and unites the nation. We have social media platforms that fuel the passion of Indian fans who follow the beautiful game by offering them the latest insights and analysis/reviews, while on the other, there are players who make the fans fall in love with the game all the more. Let’s take a look at some of the modern Indian cricketing greats who have inspired a generation of fans:
- Sachin Tendulkar: Referred to as the Little Master, Tendulkar is considered one of the best batsmen to have ever played the game. He is also known as the ‘God of Cricket’. From most matches to most runs, he holds almost every batting record in the game’s history. He was the mainstay of the Indian batting for more than two decades. His contribution to the game is unmeasurable as he has inspired people for generations and given them countless moments of joy.
- Kapil Dev: The first-ever captain to lead India to World Cup glory in 1983. He is one of the finest all-rounders - could turn the match on its head with his batting as well as bowling. He once was the highest wicket-taker in the world. He played the game with a lot of passion. The Haryana Hurricane, as he was famously known, was voted India's Cricketer of the Century in 2002. When it came to fast bowling, Kapil Dev was a pioneer in Indian cricket.
- Sunil Gavaskar: Sunil Gavaskar was one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time. He had a very strong defence. His technique was so impeccable that during the West Indies tour of 1971, the hosts penned a calypso for him - “We couldn’t out Gavaskar at all.” His solid batting at the top helped India win its first-ever series against the West Indies, overseas. He was the first person to reach 10,000 runs in Tests. He is now a famous commentator who still brings joy to the fans with his analogy of the game. As per reports, this legendary Indian cricketer, is expected to be a brand ambassador for Betindia, a leading online sports platform in India which provides latest insights and analysis/reviews.
- Anil Kumble: Anil Kumble has made a ‘Jumbo’ (his nickname) contribution to Indian cricket. After Jim Laker, he is the only bowler to have picked up all ten wickets in a Test innings - a feat that he achieved against Pakistan at Delhi. He would give it his all on the field; bowled with a banded fractured jaw in a Test match against the West Indies at Antigua in 2002. He was no mug with the bat either, after all, he has a Test century against his name.
- Rahul Dravid: Known as ‘The Wall’, Rahul Dravid was one of the last batsmen who could be bucketed as classical and orthodox. He has gone on to save several Tests for India with his grit and determination. In 2001, he stitched a mammoth partnership of 376 with Laxman that helped India to beat the Aussies after following-on. He was a complete team player, who went on to keep wickets for a considerable amount of time in ODIs just to lend balance to the team.
- M.S. Dhoni: Dhoni has undoubtedly been one of India’s best captains. His cricketing acumen is second to none. He proved his leadership skills early in his captaincy career when India went on to win the inaugural T20 World Cup with a relatively young side. India also won the ODI World Cup under his captaincy. Be it his batting or his wicketkeeping, he wasn’t natural, however, he had his ways of being effective and getting the job done.
- Virat Kohli: A modern-day legend, Virat Kohli’s aggressive batting and captaincy redefined Indian cricket. Kohli was always a gifted batter, but he knew that to make it big, he would need to work on his fitness as well. He worked on his physique and his diet and transformed himself into a world-class athlete. India played some attacking cricket under his captaincy as he always believed in giving it back to the opposition. The way he is batting, it’s a matter of time before he breaks one record after another.
Along with these, there have been many wonderful cricketers who have touched people’s lives and inspired them with their exploits on the field. They continue to be loved and celebrated across the country and have become an important part of our lives.
Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.
