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Cricket in India is not just a sport, it’s an emotion that every Indian feels deep in the Heart and Bones. We feel proud every time we reminisce about the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup, or 1983 when the legendary Indian team beat West Indies at the Lords.
We don’t just watch cricket but celebrate it like a festival and every cricketer for us is no less than a celebrity. We even worship some of the legendary cricketers like Gods and Kings.
I mean who doesn’t know these legendary Indian cricketers of all time like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Right? But there are some greatest old Indian Cricketers in the past you should know about.
All these top 20 Indian cricketers were the best of their time and played an important role in Indian cricket history. This blog will unravel more about the top 20 old Indian cricket players who were legends during their time.
So here’s the list of the top 20 legendary cricketers in India
Top 20 Legendary Old Indian Cricket Players of All Time
20. Zaheer Khan
Born on 7 October 1978, Zaheer Khan is undoubtedly one of the legendary Indian bowlers of his time. The master of reverse swing doesn’t matter if the ball’s new or old, Zaheer would do the magic anyway. In his more than a decade-long career, he has been a top-notch fastest bowler in the Test matches. Zaheer finally became a part of the legendary squad of the 2011 ICC World Cup. However, his road to success was full of injuries and poor form which he overshadowed with his determination and willpower to become one of the legendary Indian cricketers.
- Career: 2000-2014
- Total wickets: 610
- Bowling average: 31.14
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I): 2,036
- Batting average: 11.90
19. V. V. S. Laxman
Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman is the full name of former legendary Indian batsman VVS Laxman known for his powerful strokes and fast scoring. The great-nephew of India’s second President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Laxman is one the greatest Indian batter who has played more than 100 Test matches without appearing in the World Cup. The right-handed middle-order batter, VVS started his career in 1996 and shortly after found his name in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 2002. Retired in 2012, VVS Laxman is still contributing to Indian cricket. Recently he became interim coach of Team India during the Zimbabwe Tour.
- Career: 1996-2012
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 11,119
- Batting average: 41.64
18. Yuvraj Singh
The first-ever T20 World Cup 2007 success story is incomplete without Yuvraj Singh hitting straight 6 sixes in an over in a T20I. Son of former Indian fast bowler and Punjabi actor Yograj Singh, Yuvraj Singh has made a special place in the white ball cricket. His batting caliber can be marked by his 7-time as player of the series in ODI which is the joint 3rd highest by an Indian cricketer shared with Sourav Ganguli. The 2011 World Cup Hero, Yuvraj Singh’s life has been full of interesting ups and downs like fighting cancer, years of rejection from his wife Hazel Kheech, and a dip in his. But Yuvraj Singh never gave up and regained his form, health, and finally his love of life. Yuvraj Singh is an inspiration to many youngsters and a true legendary cricketer.
- Career: 2000-2017
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I): 11,778
- Batting average: 35.05
- Total wickets:148
- Bowling average: 36.08
17. Anil Kumble
Famous with his nickname ‘Jumbo’ among the fans is one of the greatest spin bowlers in history. Former cricket captain, coach, and commentator Anil Kumble has been playing many roles in Indian cricket history. Legbreak Googly champion Anil Kumble has won more Test matches for India than any cricketer in history. With his 619 wickets, Anil Kumble is the third-highest wicket-taker in test cricket history. He also holds the record for the highest 40,850 balls bowled in Test cricket. He also scalped all 10 wickets in the Test match in 1999.
- Career: 1990 – 2008
- Total wickets(ODI+Test): 956
- Total Match(ODI+Test): 403
16. Virender Sehwag
Indian former opener Virender Sehwag is one of the legendary batsmen in Cricket history. Virender Sehwag became the fastest run scorer in the Test cricket format and also holds the highest strike rate among batsmen with a minimum of 3000 Test runs. Debuted in 1999, Sehwag was often mistaken as a Sachin Tendulkar on the field by the fans. However, he soon changed that when he hit his Test Triple Century and became one of the four batsmen who achieved this rare phenomenon twice in the world. He also played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL and now is a cricket analyst for many sports channels.
- Career: 1999 – 2013
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I):17253
- Batting average: 40.31
- Total wickets: 136
- Bowling average: 42.40
15. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid has earned the title of ‘the Wall’ of Team India who batted solidly and became reliable, especially in stressful situations. There is no match for Rahul Dravid when it comes to hard work and concentration, man is a true living legend. He has registered many records to his name but one unique record is never receiving a Golden Duck during his Test career. This is an incredible record for someone who scored 13288 runs in the 286 Test innings. Recently, he retired from the Head coach position of Team India after his stint over.
- Career: 1996 – 2012
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I): 24,208
- Batting average: 45.41
- Highest Score: 270
- Total Matches: 509
14. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni aka MS Dhoni is probably the most successful captain in Indian history. Under the captaincy of legendary former wicket keeper and batter MS Dhoni, India won three major ICC titles including ICC T20 World Cup 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, and ICC Champions Trophy 2013. He also earned his ‘Captain Cool’ tag for his extremely cool and calm nature on the field especially in the tense situation.
2004 debut MS Dhoni gained popularity among the fans with his fearless destructive batting style like Helicopter Shots. Ahead of the T20 World Cup inaugural MS Dhoni took the Team India Command which lasted for the 72 T20 Matches. He retired from all the cricket formats but continued to entertain fans in the IPL.
- Career: 2004 – 2019
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I): 17,266
- Batting average: 44.96
- Total Catches: 634
- Total matches: 538
13. Saurav Ganguli
Saurav Ganguli is one of the best test captains Team India has ever produced. After becoming the captain in 2000, Sourav Ganguli led Team Blue to the Finals of the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time. He also led the squad into the final knockout of the 2003 ICC World Cup. Scored more than 10,000 runs in the ODI, Ganguli is among the top ten batters who score this much. He has also amassed 16 centuries in Test matches and 22 in ODIs. Out of 195 matches, Saurav Ganguli successfully led team India in 97 matches. After his retirement, he served as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- Career: 1992 – 2008
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 18,575
- Total wickets: 132
- Total Matches: 424
12. Vinod Mankad
Mulvantrai Mankad was the full name of one of the greatest Indian allrounder Vinoo Mankad. He had a remarkable test career in which he played 44 Test matches, scored 2109 runs, and took 162 wickets. He has registered many records including 2nd most hit wickets taken to 2nd 413 highest runs partnership for the first wicket. He also achieved the feat of completing 1000 runs and scalped 100 wickets in 23 matches which was an unbreakable record for a quarter of a century until overtaken by Ian Botham.
- Career: 1946 – 1959
- Total Runs (Test): 2,109
- Batting average: 31.47
- Total wickets: 162
- Bowling average: 32.32
11. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was India’s youngest Test captain who comes from the Royal family. Despite his tag Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan made a name for himself on the Cricket field. Out of his 46 Test matches, Mansoor Ali Khan led Team India in the 40 matches and won 9 of them. Under his captaincy, India also won their first overseas Test victory against New Zealand in 1967.
- Career: 1961 – 1975
- Total Runs (Test): 2,793
- Batting average: 34.91
- Total Matches:46
10. Bishan Bedi
Former southpaw bowler Kishan Bedi was a master of deception who brought variations in his bowling without changing any action. For most of his cricket career, Kishan Bedi was a consistent wicket-taker who played 67 test matches and only 10 ODI games. He finished his First Class cricket career by scalping 1560 wickets which is more than any Indian bowler in cricket history. He died in October 2023 at the age of 77.
- Career: 1966 – 1979
- Total Test wickets: 266
- Bowling average: 28.71
- Total Match: 67
9. Krishnamachari Srikkanth
The swashbuckling opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth was mostly famous for his unique and creative style of batting. Famous with the Indiana Jones tag Srikkanth is the most entertaining cricketer who can bound the stadium crowd with his batting spell. In his decade-long career, Srikkanth scored more than 4000 runs in 145 ODI matches. After saying bye to his cricketing days, Srikkanth worked as a color commentator for various news channels.
- Career: 1981 – 1992
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 6,153
- Total Matches: 188
8. Javagal Srinath
Javagal Srinath is one of the few fastest bowlers who played four World Cups for India including 1992, 1996, 1999, and 2003. He also has a joint record of taking 44 wickets in the World Cup with Zaheer Khan. One of the finest Indian bowlers Srinath was the first Indian bowler to take more than 300 wickets in One Day Internationals. He is one the few nineties pacers who had bowled at the speed of 156 Kmph between 1996 and 1997 making him impossible to play for the batsman. After his retirement, Srinath took the role of judgment and became the ICC Match referee.
- Career: 1991 – 2003
- Total wickets: 551
- Bowling average: 29.11
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 1892
- Batting average: 12.28
7. Mohinder Amarnath
The 1983 Cricket World Cup star Mohinder Amarnath is one of the greatest batsmen according to Sunil Gavaskar. The king of comebacks, Mohinder Amarnath had quite a rollercoaster ride during his two-decade-long career. Among his fans and friends, Amarnath is famous for his nickname Jimmy. This Indian legend played a great role in the 1983 ICC World and was awarded Man of the Match for both Semi-Final and Final.
- Career: 1969 – 1989
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 6,302
- Total Matches: 154
- Total wickets: 78
6. Lala Amarnath
Lala Amarnath Bhardwaj was the full name of the father figure of an Indian cricketer. He became the very first Indian cricketer who hit a century in Test cricket. He played 24 Test matches from 1933 to 1952 and scored 878 runs including his 118 highest score. He continued his career in cricket as a selector, manager, coach, and broadcaster. Not only him but his three sons were also first-class cricketers including the World Cup Champion Mohinder Amarnath.
- Career: 1933 – 1952
- Total Runs (Test): 878
- Batting average: 24.38
- Total Matches: 24
5. Vijay Hazare
Vijay Hazare was the best Indian cricketer, especially in the Test cricket format. Born on March 11, 1915, Vijay Samuel Hazare was the full name of this legendary Indian cricketer. He only played 30 Test matches in his career and led the India squad in 14 matches. He left a forever mark with his performance in India’s first tour of Australia in 1947-48. When Australia posted 674 runs it was Hazare who posted 145 in his second innings, the remaining team couldn’t even score any runs. However, India lost the innings but Vijay Hazare’s efforts gave him recognition and he earned a Zonal domestic Test league after his name.
- Career: 1946 – 1953
- Total Runs (Test): 2192
- Batting average: 47.65
- Total wickets: 20
- Total matches: 30
4. Sunil Gavaskar
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar is another prominent name in the cricket world and is now a renowned commentator. Sunil Gavaskar is also one of the greatest openers of his time gifted with excellent judgment of line and length. He became the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. His record for the highest number of Test hundreds was surpassed by Sachin Tendulkar. However, it would be unfair to judge Gavaskar’s achievement based on the stats. His virtually unbreachable defense made it nearly impossible for bowlers to take his wickets.
- Career: 1971 – 1987
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 13,214
- Total matches: 233
3. Mohammad Azharuddin
Next, we have a former Indian captain of the national cricket team, Mohammad Azharuddin. The right-handed middle batter Azharuddin is known for his wristy strokeplay. It was a tough time for Indian cricket when Mohammad Azharuddin handled the captaincy of Team Blue. Team India came out victorious in the 14 Test and 90 ODI matches during his leadership in the 47 Test and 174 ODI matches. He is not only one of the greatest captains Indian Cricket has ever seen but also one of the greatest batsmen as well.
- Career: 1984 – 2000
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 15,593
- Total Matches: 433
2. Kapil Dev
Legendary Indian former captain Kapil Dev was one of the greatest pace-bowling all-rounders of his time. Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, India lifted their first-ever ICC World Cup in 1983. He is the only cricketer who has more than 5000 runs and 400+ wickets in Test Cricket. His record remained unbroken until 2000 when Jamaica’s Courtney Walsh surpassed and set a new milestone. For the ODI, Kapil Dev took 253 wickets in 225 international matches. After his retirement from cricket Kapil Dev became an entrepreneur and motivational speaker and wrote several books
- Career: 1978 – 1994
- Test wickets: 434
- ODI wickets: 253
- Total Runs (ODI+Test): 9031
1. Sachin Tendulkar
When the world is talking about the greatest cricketer of all time, Sachin Tendulkar is the name everyone chants from the bottom of their hearts. Sachin is not only India’s legendary cricketer but he has already surpassed many of the legendary cricketers like Sir Vivian Richards, Don Bradman, and many others. Tendulkar holds several records for most matches, runs, 100s, 90s, 4s, runs in a calendar year, longest career, etc. And these are all just his Test cricket records. He has several ODI records including 18426 most runs. The list of Sachin Tendulkar International records goes on and on. At the age of 16 years and 205 days, Sachin became the youngest player to debut for India for Tests and ODI. Apart from his exceptional career, Sachin has gained massive respect for his dedication to cricket, work ethic, improving his skills, and focusing on small details. All this led him to forever success and earned a name like a little master, master blaster, and God of Cricket.
- Career: 1989 – 2013
- Total Runs (ODI+Test+T20I): 34,357
- Batting average: 48.52
- Total wickets: 201
- Bowling average: 46.53
So these are our top 20 legendary Indian cricketers list of all time. Tell us which one inspires you the most and you think is one of the greatest cricketers in Indian sports history.
