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Famous Indian cricketers of all time help students enhance their understanding of the sports world. Reading about them can also help gain valuable insights into the sports world, especially for sports GK questions in quiz competitions. From retired legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev to modern icons like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, these players have shaped the history of cricket in India. In this blog, you will read about famous Indian cricketers of all time to motivate students to excel in both academics and extracurricular activities.
Table of Contents
Famous Indian Cricketers of All Time
These famous Indian cricketers are not only recognised for their achievements and role in the team but also for representing India on the global stage.
| Famous Indian Cricketers of All Time | Role |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman |
| Rohit Sharma | Batsman |
| Hardik Pandya | All-Rounder |
| Mahendra Singh Dhoni | Wicketkeeper |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-Rounder |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Batsman |
| KL Rahul | Batsman |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler |
| Suresh Raina | Batsman |
| Shikhar Dhawan | Batsman |
| Gautam Gambhir | Batsman |
| Sourav Ganguly | Batsman |
| Virender Sehwag | Batsman |
| Yuvraj Singh | All-Rounder |
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, known for his aggressive style, made his mark in 2008 by leading India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup. He debuted in the senior team in 2008 and scored his first ODI century in 2009. Kohli became the fastest to 10,000 ODI runs in 2018, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar by 54 innings. Under his captaincy, India reached No. 1 in the Test rankings and won the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series 2-1 in Australia.
| Parameter | Description |
| Born | November 5, 1988 |
| IPL Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Major Achievements | The most individual hundreds in ODI matches and the most runs scored in a single edition of an ODI World Cup. |
2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, born on April 30, 1987, is the current captain of India’s Test and ODI teams. He led India to T20I World Cup victories in 2007 and 2024. Known as “Hitman,” he holds the record for the most international sixes and three double centuries in ODIs. Sharma has won five IPL titles with Mumbai Indians and was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2020. He also holds the ODI World Cup record for most centuries.
| Parameter | Description |
| Full name | Rohit Gurunath Sharma |
| Born | April 30, 1987 |
| IPL Team | Mumbai Indians |
| Major Achievement | He holds the record for most international sixes across all formats, most sixes in World Cups, and the highest individual score in an ODI. |
3. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, a standout all-rounder from Gujarat, rose to prominence with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015, contributing with both bat and ball. In the 2017 IPL, he played a key role in their second title win, earning two Man of the Match awards. Pandya has since become crucial in India’s ODI lineup, scoring match-winning runs, including a vital 93 in Cape Town, and taking a 5-wicket haul in England’s Test series.
| Parameter | Description |
| Full name | Hardik Himanshu Pandya |
| Born | 11 October 1993 |
| IPL Team | Mumbai Indians |
4. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, hailing from Jharkhand, made a remarkable rise to international cricket, starting as a ticket collector for the Railways. His breakthrough came in 2004, and by 2005, he made his mark with a stunning 148 against Pakistan. As captain, he led India to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Dhoni also captained Chennai Super Kings to IPL glory in 2010 and 2011, showcasing his leadership skills.
| Parameter | Description |
| Full name | Mahendra Singh Dhoni |
| Born | July 7, 1981 |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings |
5. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, affectionately known as ‘Sir’, has had an incredible journey in international cricket. After a tough start in 2009, he turned things around with immense support from MS Dhoni. With three triple centuries in first-class cricket and a brilliant debut in Tests, Jadeja became a key player, especially in India’s historic 2013 series win against Australia. A valuable all-rounder, he played crucial roles in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win and has been a match-winner in home Tests.
| Parameter | Description |
| Full name | Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja |
| Born | 6 December 1988 |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings |
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Famous Indian Women Cricketers
Indian women cricketers have made significant contributions to the sport, achieving numerous milestones in international cricket. Here are some of the most famous Indian women cricketers.
| Famous Indian Women Cricketers | Role |
| Mithali Raj | Batter |
| Jhulan Goswami | Bowler |
| Smriti Mandhana | Batter |
| Anjum Chopra | Batter |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | All-rounder |
| Neetu Lawrence David | Bowler |
| Squadron Leader Shikha Pandey | All-rounder and Bowler |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder |
| Shafali Verma | Batter |
1. Mithali Raj
Mithali Dorai Raj, born on December 3, 1982, in Rajasthan, is an Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian women’s national cricket team. Known as the “Sachin Tendulkar of Indian women’s cricket,” she became the first Indian woman to score 10,000 international runs. Raj has played all three formats for India and holds numerous records, including the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
| Parameters | Description |
| Date of Birth | 3 December 1982 |
| Major achievements | Second women cricketer to score more than 5000 runs in ODI matches. |
2. Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana, hailing from a sports-loving family, started her cricket journey at just nine years old in Maharashtra. Known for her elegant stroke play and aggressive style, she quickly rose through the ranks, debuting for India in 2013. Mandhana became a key player for India, making a mark in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup. Her exceptional batting skills and powerful shots continue to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.
| Parameters | Description |
| Date of Birth | 18 July 1996 |
| Major achievements | She led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 title. |
3. Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma, a talented all-rounder, has been a consistent performer for India across formats. Known for her clever off-spin and ability to pressure batters, Sharma excels in various roles, from bowling in all phases to being a versatile batter. She made her debut at just 17 and has since set records, including a 320-run opening stand in ODIs. Sharma is the first Indian woman to have 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is.
| Parameters | Description |
| Date of Birth | 24 August 1997 |
| Major achievements | Smashed a record-breaking 188 runs against Ireland in 2017, becoming the second-highest scorer in Women’s ODIs. |
4. Shefali Verma
Shefali Verma, the youngest ever to play T20I cricket for India, gained fame during the 2019 women’s exhibition match at the IPL. At just 15, her fearless gameplay and sharp shot selection impressed everyone, earning her a place in the national team. Known for her attacking style, Shefali’s passion for cricket began in her hometown of Rohtak, where she disguised as a boy to train. She idolizes Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers, and her aggressive approach reflects Virender Sehwag’s influence.
| Parameters | Description |
| Date of Birth | 28 January 2004 |
| Major achievements | The youngest player to debut for India in women’s cricket |
5. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Nishit Goswami, once the fastest bowler in the women’s cricket circuit, now holds the record for the most wickets in ODI history. A passionate cricketer from Chakdaha, she travelled two hours for practice before making her mark. Known for her aggression and impeccable line and length, Goswami’s 15-year career saw her become an allrounder, earning accolades like the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the Padma Shri. Despite her intimidating stature, her dedication, work ethic, and commitment to learning have been key to her success.
| Parameters | Description |
| Date of Birth | 25 November 1982 |
| Major achievements | ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2007) and the leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket. |
FAQs
India has had many legendary cricketers, but Sachin Tendulkar is often considered the best. Known as the “God of Cricket,” his incredible records and consistency inspire millions worldwide.
Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as the biggest legend in Indian cricket. With over 100 international centuries, his achievements and contributions to Indian cricket are unparalleled.
The No. 1 player can vary, but Virat Kohli is often considered India’s top cricketer for his consistency across all formats and record-breaking performances.
Both are great in their own ways! Dhoni is known for his leadership and calmness, while Virat is praised for his aggression and consistent batting. It depends on what you value more in cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar is the most loved Indian cricketer for his humility and unmatched records. However, players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are also adored by fans worldwide.
Interesting Reads
Hope you enjoyed reading about the famous Indian cricketers of all time. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!