Top 5: Greatest Indian Batters of All Time in Cricket History

India is a cricket-crazy country, which has produced several prominent batters and bowlers. But it’s the batters who enjoy elite status, all thanks to their ability to attract billions of eyeballs with their batting mastery.

And it won’t be inappropriate to say that India is a goldmine of batters. Over the years, we have seen many youngsters build a stellar career with their batting excellence.

This article looks at the top 5 greatest Indian batters of all time in cricket.

5. Rahul Dravid

When one thinks of a solid No. 3 batter, Rahul Dravid’s name pops up in mind. Dravid made the No. 3 batting position his own with his concrete technique, earning the tag of ‘The Wall’.

The right-hander would tire out bowling attacks with his steady and firm knocks. His ability to hold on to one end allowed other batters to play more freely.

Dravid was the backbone of the Indian batting lineup and his overall numbers justify it. He scored 13288 runs at an average of 52.31 in 164 Tests, while he amassed 10889 runs at an average of 39.16 in 344 ODIs.

Dravid’s ability to soak up the pressure and stand firm on the crease with full concentration allowed him to score runs. This alone sets him apart from many batters.

4. Rohit Sharma

Despite having a lot of talent, Rohit Sharma didn’t have the fancy start to his international cricketing career one would imagine. But he didn’t lose hope and staged a massive comeback 5 years after his debut.

The team management asked him to open the innings, and that’s when things started to fall into place for him. Rohit went on to become one of the greatest openers to play for India.

He displayed his mastery for scoring huge knocks while staying on the pitch for a longer time. That’s evident from his 3 double centuries in ODIs and 5 hundreds in T20Is.

Rohit is still going strong in Tests and ODIs, with over 20000 runs across formats. He hung his boots from T20Is with a tally of 4231 runs at a strike rate of 140.89 and many notable records.

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3. Sunil Gavaskar

If Rohit Sharma is the modern-day opening great, then Sunil Gavaskar is the legendary opener of his time. His sheer technique and strong defence made bowlers toil hard to dismiss him.

Gavaskar could execute almost every classic shot from the cricketing book. His elegant batting was backed by solid performances that lifted India in world cricket.

Gavaskar’s run-scoring ability was supreme, given he faced some of the most dreadful bowling attacks. Despite that, he mastered the Test format, and if we purely consider his Test numbers, then Gavaskar is one of the best Test batters.

The Little Master had a stellar career in Tests, scoring 10122 runs at an average of 51.12, including 32 centuries and 45 fifties. In ODIs, Gavaskar amassed 3092 runs at an average of 35.13 in 108 matches.

2. Virat Kohli

There are quite a few batters who have made scoring runs a habit. Virat Kohli falls among them, having been a consistent run-maker for India across formats.

Kohli is such a good accumulator that he has earned the tag of the ‘run machine’. Ever since the Delhi batter made his debut, he has left everyone in awe with his wonderful batting.

The top-level fitness and concentration have done wonders for him, churning out memorable performances for India. This has transpired in him becoming the finest all-format batter the world has seen.

Kohli has plenty of cricket left in him, with over 27000 runs and 80 centuries under his belt. He may have retired from T20Is, but he left a lasting impression in the shortest format.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Without a tinge of doubt, Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest Indian batter of all time. Why? 

The man finds his name in almost every record book, breaking and setting many impressive records. Tendulkar’s pure batting technique allowed him to score runs on almost every surface and in different conditions.

He stepped onto the field as a 16-year-old kid and went on to become the ‘Master Blaster’. The Mumbai batter learnt the craft on the maidans of his home city and displayed it on the grand stage.

That mastery resulted in him securing the top position among the run-scorers in Tests and ODIs. Tendulkar bowed out of cricket, with 15921 runs in 200 Tests and 18426 runs in 463 ODIs.

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