Are these India's greatest-ever cricketers?

One of the true powerhouses of world cricket, India has produced world-class cricketers for decades with a seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of talent coming through. Given the cricketing riches of India, it’s impossible to put all the greats in one piece, but here is a selection of some of the very best.

Kohli’s form in tests has dropped off slightly in recent years, but he still boasts an average of 48.93 which is impressive enough in itself, but it is his one-day record that is truly mind-boggling. Over 274 matches Kohli averages 57.32 and has amassed 46 centuries and 65 50s. Remarkable.

The Sub-Continent has produced many incredible spinners over the years, and Harbhajan is amongst the very best. One of a very small number to take over 400 test wickets, Singh also recorded India’s first test hat-trick.

India’s finest fast-bowling all-rounder and one of the greatest ever players, Dev captained India to the 1983 World Cup trophy all whilst taking 434 test wickets at under 30 and scoring 8 tons and 27 50s with the bat in red-ball cricket.

Life as an opening bat in tests is a tough one, yet Gavaskar managed to flourish in this role. Amassing over 10,000 test runs at an average of 51.12 is truly a remarkable accomplishment, but his 34 centuries truly mark his career as a class apart.

There are some Indian players who are so good they become beloved by fans around the world, and Viru was certainly one of them. Averaging over 50 with a strike rate of 82 as a test opener is almost freakish, but it was his laconic style of batting that captured the hearts of many. A true icon.

Kumble currently sits fourth in the all-time test wickets-taking record book, an incredibly tall legspinner who bowled with unerring accuracy, his 619 test wickets tell the tale of a true great.

Perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing cricketers of all time, Azharuddin deserves to be recognised as one of India’s greatest despite match-fixing allegations prematurely ending his career. Despite that, 22 test centuries at an average of 45.03 is an incredible record.

India is not renowned for producing fast bowlers, although more and more seem to be appearing. Before the recent generation there was Sharma, tall and gangly he could move the ball in the air and off the seam and collected 311 test wickets along the way.

Ganguly was a very good batter in his day and was more than useful with ball in hand, bowling stump-to-stump medium pace, but it was his leadership which made him truly stand out. He played and led in an uncompromising manner which helped set the scene for India’s rise to a truly elite side.

India has had no shortage of sublimely talented middle-order batters who drip with talent and class, but Laxman may well be the very best of them all, at least to watch. Never hurried or rushed, he would simply turn his wrists and watch the ball disappear to the boundary. He finished his career with 8781 test runs at an average of 45.97. Talent.

Possibly the greatest off-spinner of all time, Ashwin’s record in tests is unfathomably good, with 474 wickets at 23.93. It is not just his bowling that has got him on this list, it’s his willingness to study and learn about his opponents, understanding their strengths and weaknesses. He is a true cricketing nerd and his hard work has paid off in abundance.

Dravid was known as ‘The Wall’ during his playing career with bowlers constantly trying to break him down, he stood firm, obstinate in his refusal to get out. 13288 test runs and 36 centuries followed, placing him amongst the very best to ever play the game.

Jadeja has a decent claim to being the best all-rounder in the world over the past few years, and is amongst the best ever. 264 test wickets at 24 along with a batting average of 35.91 are outrageously good stats for anyone, but when you also have three first-class triple centuries to your name, there must be something special going on.

4876 test runs at 38.09, 10773 ODI runs at 50.56 and 1617 T20i runs at 37.60 paint part of the picture of Dhoni’s remarkable career, but there are so many intangibles it is impossible to tell the story with stats alone. A legend in all formats and one of the greatest captains in history, MS is a true legend of the game.

The only man to have scored 100 international centuries, Tendulkar is one of a kind. Holding the record for most runs in both tests (15921) and ODIs (18426), ‘The Little Master’ is a great of the game by any measure. On a list featuring otherworldly talent, Tendulkar stands alone as India’s greatest-ever player.