The Saga Of Indian Cricketing Legends Of This Millennium

Most of us grew with chants of Sachin or Dhoni. With the turn of the decade, century Ganguly stepped in as the captain and the rest is history. The Aussies dominated world cricket for a large part of the 2000s, but then came M.S Dhoni. Ganguly changed the Indian landscape and Dhoni put India on the map. India started giving healthy competition to other teams and slowly but steadily started bossing teams. Many players came and went, but a few players will always remain etched in our memories, they are the Indian cricketing legends. Some scored mammoth runs while some piled on wickets to destroy opponents. Throughout these years, fans witnessed mesmerizing moments, pick of the lot being ICC World Cup 2011.

India is home to a population of 1.3 billion people and also the motherland to the legends we are going to talk about. Cricket is a religion in our country and legends of the game are worshiped. The Tendulkars, Dravids and the Gangulys have left a legacy behind. The likes of Kohli and Rohit are carrying it on their shoulders now. The lineage should continue after all.

Here’s a look at our legends of this Millenium

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Well, there is no introduction to someone who is referred to as God of cricket. Amassing 34000 runs in international cricket, he was the heartthrob of a billion people. Sachiiin, Sachin! He demolished bowling attacks at will, sending the ball for a vacation. Although it was a time of great swing fast bowling, yet Tendulkar remained intact scoring colossal scores. Winning matches across the globe, he was once a lone warrior in the 90s. His fans remember his Sharjah knock against Australia, where he humiliated Warne and the entire pack of kangaroos. A legend both on and off the field, he remains one of the greatest Indian cricketing legends.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahi mar Raha hai! Captain cool! Dhoni is often regarded as the best finisher of the game with an ice-cool head. Whatever may be the situation, you will find him placid and calm. A leader leading by example, backing the players and getting the best out of them. He started his career in 2004 but rose to center-stage with his blitzkrieg against Pakistan and SriLanka. Winning won T20 world cup, Champions Trophy, and ICC World Cup in his tenure as captain, He also took India to NO.1 in tests. Dhoni has finished numerous last-over matches, be it international or an IPL match. CSK has also 3 titles under his captaincy, making it to the finals 8 times in total. A living legend, MSD will always be remembered for his pressure-handling abilities and delivering on the biggest stages.

Sourav Ganguly

Dada, as his fans call him lovingly, was the face of the new Indian team. Trying out new players and then backing them helped India develop next-gen players. Sehwag, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer were all in the nascent stages. Ganguly gave them a longer rope, the time to settle in, it paid off finally. Left-handed batsmen, he scored more than 10,000 runs in ODI and took India to 2003 WC Finals. An aggressive leader, he changed India’s approach and transformed it into a completely new one. Ganguly’s contribution to Indian cricket both as a player and as a captain is phenomenal. His heroics will be remembered for generations to come, especially his t-shirt celebration in the Lord’s balcony.

Rahul Dravid

The Wall, as he is often regarded to, is the most complete batsman India has ever seen. A technically strong and gifted player, he was just a beast when it came to survival on the field. With both 10,000 plus runs in ODIs as well as tests, he was new India’s pillar. The most reliable and calm person, hardly had he ever been angry. He also captained India for a few years, also did wicket-keeping till Dhoni made the cut. He was an epitome of discipline and dedication, widely regarded as one of the best defensive Indian cricketing legends.

Yuvraj Singh

He was the most exciting of the lot, the face of modern-day cricket. He took the world by storm with his six sixes in an over against England in a World Cup match. Often touted as a future star to watch out for, he delivered the goods at the biggest stages. Exceptional performances in ICC WC 2007 and ICC WC 2011 handed India, the silverware. He battled cancer, made a comeback, and showed that he is a true fighter. A complete swashbuckler, brutal with the bat, cricket will hardly find batsmen like him. Singh is king! Yuvraj announced his retirement from the game last year. Yuvi pa! India will miss your heroics and the fighting spirit to ace the game.

Zaheer Khan

India’s bowling spearhead, he led the pack with the new ball. Swinging the new ball and reversing the new ball, he was a menace for the batsmen. He remains one of India’s most successful bowlers to have played the game. Be it Australia, England, or any side, he was there to lead India’s reply with the ball. With 600 international wickets, he remained the backbone of India’s bowling for a long time. Some of his exceptional performances include a fiery spell against England in WC 2011 and his Wc 2003 heroics. He quenched the thirst of India which was starving for fast bowlers and thus laid the foundation for a whole new generation of fast bowlers. Injuries plagued his career with hamstring issues being a major hurdle. Despite all odds, he went on to join Indian cricketing legends.

Virendra Sehwag

The most destructive opening batsmen, with two triple test and a double century in ODI. Viru paaji is often regarded as the most feared batsman ever. India got off to a flying start, he remained the crusader. Striking the ball out of the park, he dictated terms a did all the talking with his bat. Delivering runs at lightning speed, he won matches on his own. What he could on his day was visible with his daunting strike-rate. 8000 plus runs in ODIs and tests, he had a brilliant stint with the national team. Najafgarh ka nawab or Multan ka Sultan, Sehwag remains at the forefront of India’s transformation. A patron and flag-bearer of an aggressive Indian squad, he is a modern-day maverick.

Suresh Raina

One of the most underrated players, whose contribution remained unnoticed for years. The man behind the scenes, a stylish batsman from UP, Suresh Raina. He made it to the national squad in 2005, a lower order explosive batsman, he caught everyone’s eyes with brilliant stroke play. The silent performer scored vital runs in ICC WC 2011, with the 30s and 40s making the difference. An elegant player, his short-ball horrific play made things hard in tests. He made the shorter format his own though, with some exceptional performances. Batting mostly at no.6 or 7 he bailed the team out of trouble. Indian fans will remember his heroics with Yuvi and Dhoni being partners in crime.

Harbhajan Singh

The turbanator – Bhajji, often regarded as the best off-spinner India has ever produced. His career was full of achievements and controversies, the monkey gate drama, or the brawl with Akhtar. He famously developed his own variation – the Doosra. His 2011 World Cup performance remains a forever memory, where he spun teams into ambiguity and got the better of them. With almost 700 wickets, he remains one of India’s finest spinners ever produced. He will go down as one of the finest ever Indian cricketing Legends.

Gautam Gambhir

One of the most underrated batsmen, alongside Raina, the Delhi lad remains one of India’s greatest ever production. Shot to limelight in 2002 with a 217 run knock against Zimbabwe, he found it hard to stay in the team. Grinding it out, he hit a purple patch between 2008 and 2011, where he scored match-winning knocks and formed a great pair with Sehwag. His 97 in the 2011 World Cup Final got overshadowed by Dhoni’s 91. Often in the media, with his short-temperedness and losing his cool, he has been part of some infamous fights. Despite all controversies and allegations, Gauti remains the pillar of strength that sailed the boat for India. I fear he might be forgotten, being so underrated and an unsung hero in India’s glorious generation.

VVS Laxman

Those wristy shots drove through cover, that lovely on drive. This is India’s magician VVS Laxman, the pillar of strength when the entire team fell like a pack of cards. The Hyderabadi prodigy scored around 9000 test runs and 2800 ODI runs. His patience and perseverance paid off handsomely, with he pulling off some scintillating match-winning knocks. Snatching victory from the brink of defeat, 1 wicket victory against Aussies still remain etched in our memories. A true legend and gentleman of the game, he remains of the most humble Indian cricketing legends.