Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

Siva first drew attention as a 12-year-old claiming 7 for 2 in a Madras inter-schools championship game. Siva's second Test appearance was in the first Test against England at the Bombay. His first wicket was Graeme Fowler who was caught and bowled off a full toss. Many of Siva's wickets came off full-tosses and half volleys. He could make the ball dip sharply late in its flight which often made the dismissed batsman look silly. His 6 for 64 and 6 for 117 helped India to an eight wicket win. It was India's first win in a Test match since 1981. Siva took another six wickets in the next innings at Delhi. He took only five more wickets in the series.

In the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in the same season, he finished as the top wicket taker. It was a time when spinners, especially leg-spinners, were considered a luxury in one day cricket. A memorable dismissal was of Javed Miandad who was stumped off a leg break in the final. Siva did similarly well in the four nations tournament in Sharjah a few weeks later.

Amar Singh

Ladhabhai Nakum Amar Singh Lodha is one of the forgotten lads of the Indian cricket. The ace Indian medium fast bowler was nothing less than a gem to Indian cricket.

Polly Umrigar

Polly Umrigar is a kind of “lost” name in Indian cricket. His achievements as a player didn’t get the required recognition.

He made the most important contribution to Indian cricket by scoring the first double century by an Indian in Test cricket against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

Ricky Ponting- Special lad from Kangaroo island

Arguably, Ponting was one of the most prolific batsmen after Sir Don Bradman. He not only led Australia to some spectacular glories instead emerged as the greatest man in the business. Initially, though Punter didn't do justice with his talent in

Mohammad Nissar- Maestro of the “ancient” Indian cricket

Another maestro of the “ancient” Indian cricket was Mohammad Nissar. Nissar was a fast bowler who dislodged the English willow line up in the first ever Test match at Lord’s ground.

Lala Amarnath & the "conspiracy" that surrounded the maestro

Nanik Amarnath Bharadwaj popularly known as Lala Amarnath wasn’t just an ordinary cricketer. But he was someone who defined the way of playing the sports in his own terms. A ferocious wicket-keeper batsman, Lala had another ability of medium-pace bowling to serve his team and nation.

Joel Garner- The “Big Bird”

Joel Garner is a former West Indian cricketer, and a

Carl Hooper

Carl Llewellyn Hooper is a former West Indian cricket player and captain.

1.    He was a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler, who came to prominenc

The greatest Test of all

Australia and West Indies played out Test cricket's first tie in a sensational finish in Brisbane.

CSK and RR to get abandoned ?

With 2 IPL titles in their pockets, the Chennai Super Kings have been shown the exit gate for the next two

years from Indian premier league. CSK has always shown the

Debut of The Don

There was little hint of what was to follow as Don Bradman made only 18 and 1 in his first Test appearance, against England in Brisbane. Bradman was only 20, but fellow new boy Bert Ironmonger was 46, Australia's oldest Test debutant at the time. It's not a match either man would have remembered too fondly - England won by a mighty 675 runs. Injuries to Jack Gregory, who didn't bat in either innings, and Charles Kelleway, who didn't bat in the second, didn't help, but even allowing for that Australia were hammered: they mustered just 122 and 66.

Phil Hughes

The flamboyant youngster from the Australian island made his mark in the international cricket

Bert Vogler

Bert Vogler,  was regarded by many as the best bowler in the world in 1907,

The unbeaten “willow child”

The cricket world received a terrible jolt when ‪Phillip Hughes‬ died at the age of 25, after being struck by a bouncer on the side of his head, below the helmet. Playing a Shield game in Sydney, Hughes was hit when he missed an attempted hook, causing a cerebral haemorrhage. He underwent surgery after being rushed to hospital from the SCG but did not regain consciousness. His hometown, Macksville, came to a standstill for his funeral on December 3, which was attended by cricketers of every stripe, and dignitaries including the Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

Raina- The "Silent" winner

Suresh Raina is one of India’s talents who hasn’t got the best of the recognition which

Indian Women's bowling "backbone"- Jhulan Goswami

Jhulan Goswami is an all round cricketer who plays for the India national women's cricket team.

Pakistan's Man of Steel - Imran Khan

Khan was Pakistan's most successful cricket captain, leading his country to victory at the 1992 Cricket World Cup, playing for the Pakistani cricket team from 1971 to 1992, and serving as its captain intermittently throughout 1982–1992. Imran made his Test debut against England in 1971. One of the finest all-rounders of his era in both formats, Imran scored 3807 runs in Tests along with 362 wickets to his name. His limited overs debut came three years later after he represented Pakistan in Tests against the same opponent. Khan never disappointed his team as he had 182 scalps to his name and 3709 runs in the shorter format as well.

A change after 138 years

After a long time the Test cricket would have a new face. Test matches have always been known for the orthodox cricket i.e. "days' cricket. It's always been a format where players play during the "daylight" but the new form will be played under flood lights. Test cricket with pink balls and within the night light. Some more excitement will surely make it up. some more records are waiting to be witnessed.

Ian Botham- The legend from England

 Botham was the fastest to the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Test cricket.

India's World cup man

Gary Kirsten, who was born today, may not have emptied too many bars b

Merv Hughes- The sledging king

Sledging, drinking, and the most famous moustache in modern cricket history - the round-bellied Australian legend Merv Hughes, who was born today, is a true one-off

3 Indian players who could have been “hot shot"

Indian cricket team has always produced

Rustomji Jamshedji - The "oldest Indian"

Jamshedji was a little left arm spinner who played a single Test for India. He made his debut at the age of 41 years and 27 days and is still the oldest Indian on his debut

When Gundappa Vishwanath reprieved Bob Taylor

This was one of the earliest incidents that set the precedent of fair cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar calls it a day

2013
The day India wept. Sachin Tendulkar retired from cricket at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium

Hemang Badani

1976
Birth of Hemang Badani, who came into the team in the throes of change post match-fixing, and instantly seemed prepared for the void left down the order by the absence of Ajay Jadeja. Upright, and given to scoring in the V, Badani proved adept at remaining not out, and his high point was a wonderfully paced hundred against Australia in Pune in 2001-02.

Adam Craig Gilchrist

Adam Craig Gilchrist nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy" is a former Australian cricketer and one of the most explosive batsmen in world cricket.

Manoj Tiwary- The “finest” of all

Manoj Tiwary is a well known face in the Indian domestic cricket. The Bengal tiger is a well equipped batsman with a power of making strokes quite dramatically

India's "breakthrough" against Australia

On 7th November, 1979  India created history clinching a marvelous series win against Australia.

Happy Birthday to the most “stunning” cricketer, Virat

The heart-throb sportsman of the country, Virat Kohli has turned 27 today. Crictoday wishes a very happy birthday to Indian Test skipper

Sir Don Bradman

Triple hundred in a single day in Tests

Sunil Gavaskar's walking out of the match

During India's tour to Australia in 1980-81, skipper Sunil Gavaskar almost conceded a Test at Melbourne in an apparent fit of anger.

An exception- Javed Miandad

On 31st October 1976, at 19 years, 141 days, Javed Miandad became the youngest person to make a Test double-century. He cracked 206 in only his third Test - he'd already made 163 in his first - as Pakistan racked up 565 for 9 in their first innings in Karachi. It looked more than enough when New Zealand fell to 195 for 6, but Warren Lees (152) and Richard Hadlee (81) added a then national-record 186 for the seventh wicket to ward off the follow-on, and a draw was a formality after that. In all, 1585 runs were scored for the loss of 31 wickets.

7 things you don’t know about Vijay Merchant

Vijay Madhavji Thakersey was a cricketer who played Test cricket for India between1933 to 1951. Though, he missed out some years of cricket due to World War 2 but made his name in the domestic circuit scoring runs at an average of 72.64.

Chetan Sharma- The History man

On 31^st October 1987 Chetan Sharma became the first man to pick a World cup Hattrick. He achieved the fate against New Zealand where he dismissed Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith and Ewen

Chatfield.  

CK Nayudu- First skipper of Indian team

Also known as 'CK', was the first captain of the Indian cricket team

Indian Cricket’s finest hour

When it was first achieved almost 40 years ago it was hailed as the greatest triumph in Indian cricket. And despite the number of notable victories notched up by Indian teams since then – particularly in the new millennium – the win over the West Indies at Port of Spain in April 1976 has not lost any of its lustre. It still takes its place right up there with the most remarkable victories in Test cricket. Coming into the third game of the series India were one down having lost the first Test at Bridgetown in three days by an innings while the second Test at Port of Spain was drawn with India very much on top. The third Test was scheduled to be played at Georgetown, Guyana but persistent rain meant a shift back to Port of Spain. This in a way was heartening news for the visitors as the Queen’s Park Oval had proved to be a lucky ground. Not only had the West Indies just about managed to avert defeat in the previous game on the previous tour in 1971 the Indians had scored a historic maiden victory over the West Indies in the second Test at the same ground and then had clinched the series with a draw in the final Test at the same venue. All the same midway through the match it appeared that the West Indies would coast to victory and take a winning 2-0 lead in the four Test series. They led off by getting 359 with Vivian Richards then in the form of his life top scoring with 177.

Remembring wicket keeper batsman Nana Joshi

Joshi was born in Baroda, Gujarat, India in 1926. He first gained attention as a cricket player when he scored 100 notout for Central Province Governor's XI against the touring Commonwealth XI in addition to dismissing six batsmen. This earned him a place in two unofficial Tests against the same team. Joshi played cricket at a time when India had three or four wicket keepers of the same class. In a career that lasted for nearly ten years, Joshi played only twelve Test matches.

He made his Test debut against England in the first Test at Delhi in 1951-52. Joshi captained Maharastra team between 1960–61 and 1962-63. He also served in the Maharashtra cricket selection committee. His benefit match in Sangli in 1974 earned him 1,25,000 rupees. He dismissed nine batsmen against Gujarat in 1959-60 which equalled the then Indian record.

Vijay Merchant

Vijay Madhavji Thakersey was a cricketer who played Test cricket for India between1933 to 1951. Though, he missed out some years of cricket due to World War  but made his name in the domestic circuit scoring runs at an average of 72.64.

1.     His batting average of 71.64 is the second highest first class average in history, behind only that of Don Bradman.

Madhav Apte - India's most unfortunate cricketer

Despite having a healthy overseas tour of West Indies where he averaged around 50, Apte was never considered for the Test side again. In the 7 Test matches that he played for India, he scored 542 runs at 49.27, notching up three fifties and one hundred.

 Madhav Apte started his career as a leg-spin googly bowler. He performed decently in that role as well and made people sit up and take notice with his 10 wickets for 10 runs in a match during the Gilles and Shield tournament.

Apte attended Elphinstone College in Mumbai, where Vinoo Mankad became the coach in 1948. The star Indian all-rounder felt that Apte would make a good opener, and asked him to carefully watch Vijay Merchant in order to learn the right technique. At 20, Apte made his debut for India against Pakistan in their 1952 tour of India. He opened the innings with his guru Vinoo Mankad and scored 30 and 10* in the match.

Apte is the only player to have played alongside D.B Deodhar – the “Grand Old Man of Indian Cricket”, and Sachin Tendulkar. In the 1987-88 domestic season, 55-year old Apte was playing for the CCI at Shivaji Park Gymkhana against a 14-year old Tendulkar. The following year, as the president of CCI, it was Apte who bent the rules of the dressing room to allow Tendulkar to be a playing member of the club.

The old man Richie Benaud

On this an ace commentator and former Australian cricket Richie Benaud was born. Benaud was a Test cricket all-rounder, blending thoughtful leg spin bowling with lower-order batting aggression. Along with fellow bowling all-rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. In 1958 he became Australia's Test captain until his retirement in 1964. He became the first player to reach 200 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket, arriving at that milestone in 1963.

Anthony William "Tony" Greig

• Born in South Africa, Greig qualified to play for the English national team by virtue of his Scottish parentage.
  

The centre of Test cricket's only forfeit- Darrell Hair

Darrell Bruce Hair (born 30 September 1952 in Mudgee, New South Wales) is an Australian former Test match cricket umpire, from New South Wales.

 

Chris Broad

•  As an opening batsman, he played 26 Test matches for England and scored six centuries, together with 34 One Day International matches with a respectable over 40 average. 
  
• He is known largely for his feats during the1986/87 Ashes series where he hit three centuries in consecutive Tests, and for his fiery demeanour at the crease.

The magistic- Lance Gibbs

Lancelot Richard Gibbs (born 29 September 1934) is a former West Indies cricketer, one of the most successful spin bowlers in Test cricket history. He was the first spinner to pass that

milestone, and had an exceptional economy rate of under two runs per over.The early 1960s were Gibbs' most productive period in Test cricket, and his greatest achievements came in the 1961–62 home series against India.

Some points about Majid Khan

1. Born on 28 September 1946 in Ludhiana, in the state of Punjab in India.
2. His father, Jahangir Khan, had played Test cricket for British India before the independence of Pakistan in 1947.

FrankTyson‬

Tyson represented England team between 1954 and 1959, he played 17 Test matches and picked 76 wickets at an average of 19.56. The 1954 Ashes series is well-known for his deadly performance where he picked up 28 wickets in the five-match series in Australia.

Vijay Manjrekar

Vijay Manjrekar was a former Indian cricketer who played 55 Tests. A small man, he was a fine cutter and hooker of the ball. He was the father of Sanjay Manjrekar.His debut came against England at Calcutta in 1951, making a composed 48.He scored his first Test hundred in June 1952 against England at Headingley making 133.

The spin Maestro- Bishen Singh Bedi

He is a former Indian cricketer who was primarily a  slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He formed part of the famous Indian spin quartet and also captained the national side in 22 Test matches. Bedi wore a colourfulpatka and has voiced outspoken and forthright views on cricketing matters. He moved to Delhi in 1968–69 and in the 1974–75 season of the Ranji Trophy, he took a record 64 wickets. Bedi also represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket for many years. He finished his career with 1560 wickets in first-class matches.

Mohinder Amarnath- The backbone of the Indian team

The backbone of the Indian team that won the 1983 World cup Mohinder Amarnath .He was the Man of the series in this tournament. 

The Great Wall of India – Anshuman Gaekwad

We have heard about Rahul Dravid being one of the most patient batsmen in Indian cricket. But years before Dravid made his debut in the international arena, Anshuman Gaekwad used to be the defensive

stroke maker of the Indian batting line up. He was known for his defensive technique which proved to be a great weapon against the mighty fast bowlers of that time.

The first Indian opener and wicket keeper- Janardan Navle

• Navle faced the historic first delivery of India's first Test innings in 1932.
• He opened in both innings at Lord's in 1932 and also kept wickets.
  

(The 1932 Indian Test Cricket team that toured England. Janardan Navle is seen standing last in the first row of the team Captained by Maharaja of Porbandar.)

Lala Amarnath- The first skipper of Independent India

•        He was the first cricketer to score a Test century for the Indian cricket team, which he achieved on his debut.
  
•    He made his debut against England at Mumbai in the year 1933.
•      He was also independent India's first Test captain, leading the team on a tour of Australia in 1947-1948.
•         Amarnath as captain was complimented for being straightforward and aggressive, and possessing great tactical acumen.
•     U nder his leadership, India won its first-ever Test against the Pakistan cricket team in Delhi in 1952, and went on to win the series 2-1.

Ranjitsinhji

• Ranji, was the ruler of the Indian princely state ofNawanagar from 1907 to 1933, as Maharaja Jam Saheb, and a noted Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team.
  
• He also played first-class cricket for Cambridge University, and county cricket for Sussex.
•  Neville Cardus described him as "the Midsummer night's dream of cricket".
• He played more on the back foot.
• The first-class cricket tournament in India, the Ranji Trophy, was named in his honour and inaugurated in 1935 by the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. 
• Ranjitsinhji began to establish a reputation for unorthodox cricket, and attracted some interest to his play, but important cricketers did not take him seriously as he played contrary to the accepted way for an amateur or university batsman, established by the conventions in English public schools. In one match, he was observed by the captain of the Cambridge University cricket team and future England captain Stanley Jackson, who found his batting and probably his appearance unusual but was not impressed.

Cricket World Cup- History

• The first World Cup was organised in England in June 1975, with the first ODI cricket match having been played only four years prior. 

History of Zimbabwe cricket

• In common with all the other full members of the ICC, Zimbabwe – known as Rhodesia until independence from the United Kingdom in 1980 – had a national cricket team before it achieved Test status.

History of the Pakistani cricket team

• The Pakistan cricket team made its Test cricket debut in 1952.

History of cricket in Bangladesh

• Between the 1954-55 and 1970-71 seasons, 10 East Pakistan first-class cricket teams teams from East Pakistan played in the Pakistan domestic cricket competitions.

History of cricket in Sri Lanka

• The Sri Lanka national cricket team has played Test cricket from 1982. Domestic first-class cricket began in 1988.
• Cricket was brought to the nation when it was colonized by the English. The first recorded cricket match was played in the country as for back as 1832.

History of New Zealand cricket

History of New Zealand cricket

• They played their first Test in 1930 against England in Christchurch. 
• New Zealand became the fifth country to play Test cricket.

History of West Indies cricket

The Calypso islands saw more and more emergence of cricket and soon started to dominate the world of cricket.

• An English team  toured the West Indies in 1934–35.