India has produced legendary batsmen who have dominated world cricket with exceptional records and unmatched consistency. Their contributions to the sport have solidified their place among the game’s all-time greats, earning them recognition as true masters of the willow and leaving an indelible mark on the cricketing world.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, widely considered the greatest Indian batsman, holds the record for most Test runs (15,921) and ODI runs, surpassing second place by over 4,000 runs. Known as the ‘Little Master,’ he dominated all formats of the game before retiring in 2013. Tendulkar’s elegance and balance at the crease made him a joy to watch. He remains involved in the IPL with Mumbai Indians, continuing to inspire future generations of cricketers.
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar made an immediate impact in international cricket, scoring a century in his second Test during his debut series in 1971 against the West Indies. He was the first player to reach 10,000 Test runs, a milestone later achieved by only 14 players. Renowned for his ability against fast bowlers, especially the formidable West Indies attack, Gavaskar became one of the greatest opening batsmen. Post-retirement, he transitioned to cricket commentary, offering valuable insights.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, still playing at the top level, is one of the greatest ODI players, with 13,848 runs and an average of 58.67, the highest among the top 5 run-scorers. He also tops the T20I run charts with over 4,000 runs and holds the IPL record for most runs. Kohli’s brilliance was evident in the 2015/16 T20 series against Australia, where his exceptional batting demonstrated his dominance in T20 cricket.
Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, known as ‘The Wall,’ is one of the top four Test run-scorers of all time, amassing over 13,000 runs. Renowned for his concentration and defensive style, Dravid once batted for 12 hours in a Test against Pakistan. His batting average was better abroad, and after retirement, he transitioned into coaching, becoming the head coach of the Indian team, delivering a powerful speech after the 2024 Test victory over England.
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag, renowned for his aggressive batting, is one of the best opening batsmen to ever take the game to the opposition. He made history in 2009 by becoming the first Indian to be awarded the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World, retaining it the following year. Sehwag holds the record for the highest strike rate (82.23) among batsmen with over 3,000 Test runs and is one of only two players to score both a double century in ODIs and a triple century in Tests.