Hansie Cronje, born September 25, 1969, will be forever linked to bookmakers and match-fixing and the murkier side of cricket. However, he was also one of the greatest captains the world has seen who lives on in many minds as a splendid leader who somehow lost his way.
Read MoreMohinder Amarnath: Guts, grit and a lop-sided career
Mohinder Amarnath, born 24 September 1950, is synonymous with guts and glory in Indian cricket, the man who hooked the fastest bowlers off his face and for one golden year enjoyed magical success against the best of them. Arunabha Sengupta look back at a career which saw some staggering highs and an equal number of inexplicable lows.
Read MoreLearie Constantine: A marvellous cricketing life
On 21 September 1901 was born the first great West Indian cricketer to capture public imagination. Arunabha Sengupta recounts the all-round genius of Baron Learie Constantine — on the field of play and in the greater arena of life.
Read MoreMike Procter: Greatness in obscurity
Mike Procter, born 15 September 1946, was a devastating fast bowler and a destructive batsman who had enough polish to become a pillar of the top order. Unfortunately, what promised to be a glittering career for one of the best all-rounders of all time was restricted to a mere seven Tests due to South Africa’s isolation. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the playing days of this extraordinary cricketer.
Read MoreShane Warne: The rockstar of spinners
Shane Warne, born 13 September 1969, resurrected the art of leg-spin bowling, adding substance, style and glamour to the most intriguing of cricketing crafts, writing a new chapter big enough to merit a dedicated volume. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the career, wickets and transgressions of this living headline of the world of cricket.
Read MoreWes Hall: Pace like Fire
Wes Hall, born 12 September 1937, was a legendary fast bowler, who later played the roles of a selector, manager and even Board President. He also became a minister in both the political and religious senses of the word. Arunabha Sengupta pays tribute to the big man with a great heart.
Read MoreSaeed Anwar: Destroyer with silken grace
Saeed Anwar, born September 6, 1968, was one of the greatest opening batsmen produced by Pakistan, who could destroy bowlers with silken grace. Arunabha Sengupta remembers the career of the southpaw who held the record for the highest score in One Day Internationals for 13 years.
Read MoreGarth le Roux: The unknown fast bowling great
Garth le Roux was born September 4, 1955 — too late to play Test cricket before South Africa’s isolation and too early to represent his country after their return to the fold. But, as he demonstrated in World Series Cricket, during his stint for Sussex and in the ‘Tests’ played against the rebel sides, he was one of the foremost fast bowlers of his generation. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the playing days of the man who finished as the highest wicket taker for South Africa in the rebel ‘Tests’.
Read MoreIqbal Qasim: Champion and underrated left-arm spinner
Iqbal Qasim, born 6 August 1953, was one of the foremost left-arm spinners of his era, whose record speaks eloquently for his quality. Arunabha Sengupta takes a look at the career of the man who played under the shadow of Abdul Qadir most of his life, but ended with figures better than the legendary leg-spinner.
Read MoreFrank Worrell: Skipper and Statesman
Frank Worrell, born 1 August 1924, was a most delightful batsman to watch and became immortal as the first black man to lead West Indies in a full series. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the life and career of the man who formed a third of the Three Ws of West Indian cricket and left the world tragically at the young age of 42.
Read MoreClive Rice: In the league of the greatest of them
Clive Rice, born 23 July 1949, was one of the greatest all-rounders of his day, on par with the likes of Garry Sobers, Imran Khan and Ian Botham — a huge force with bat and ball. Cruelly, his career coincided with the years of isolation faced by South Africa. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who remains a legendary name around the world, especially for his exploits for Transvaal and Nottinghamshire.
Read MoreSunil Gavaskar - India's first world-class icon
Sunil Gavaskar, born on July 10, 1949, was more than the greatest opening batsman produced by India. He was the icon who led India from an also ran to a leader in the world of cricket world with his peerless batsmanship as well as relentless pursuit of proper recognition. Arunabha Sengupta takes a look at the humungous contribution of the man to Indian and world cricket through his playing career and beyond.
Read MoreWilton St Hill: The cricketer lionised out of proportion by CLR James
Wilton St Hill, born 6 July 1893, was one of the first black cricketers of West Indies to eke out a long career. More importantly, he was lionised by CLR James to an extent that stretches into the farcical. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the career of this popular but less than brilliant cricketer, and tries to peel off the layers of myth endowed upon his persona by Beyond a Boundary.
Read MoreBob Appleyard: No Coward Soul
Bob Appleyard, born 27 June 1924, was widely acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers of his day. If health had not let him down and his life had not been buffeted by tragedies, he might have had figures to underline the same. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the Yorkshire bowler who captured 200 wickets in his first full season and won a battle against tuberculosis.
Read MoreTerry Alderman: 83 wickets in 12 Tests in England at 19 apiece
Terry Alderman, born 12 June 1956, was an Aussie master of the English conditions. With 83 wickets in 12 Tests played in England, he remains one of the enduring Ashes heroes of history. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the career of the man who was once engaged in a rugby-style tackle during a Test match.
Read MoreBhagwat Chandrasekhar: Diasbility became dangerous weapon
Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, born May 17 1945, was afflicted by poliomyelitis as a child and his right-arm remained withered as he grew into manhood. Yet, it became the most potent match-winning weapon for India for 14 years. Arunabha Sengupta remembers his extraordinary career.
Read MoreDickie Bird: Superstar among umpires
Dickie Bird, born April 19, 1933, was more than an umpire. He was an institution within cricket, universally loved and respected, and instantly recognisable. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the life and career of this only superstar among umpires.
Read MoreSaleem Malik: Velvet gloves, tainted palms
Saleem Malik, born April 16, 1963, was all flair and grace while batting; he was one of the greatest Pakistan batsmen of the eighties and nineties. He was Pakistan’s emergency attendant on many an occasion. However, people remember him more in context of the slimy cricketing underbelly of bookmakers and match-fixing. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the career of the most visually gratifying of batsmen whose career ended under obscurity of allegations.
Read MoreJack Noreiga: Club cricketer who became main bowler of a feeble West Indies attack
Jack Noreiga, born April 15, 1936, was drafted into the West Indies team due to sheer desperation and depleted resources. However, the only series he played in was a successful one. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the life and career of the only West Indian bowler to capture 9 wickets in an innings.
Read MoreManoj Prabhakar: One of the few to open with both bat and ball in Tests
Manoj Prabhakar, born April 15, 1963, was a gutsy batsman anywhere in the order and a bowler who swung the ball prodigiously. He is part of many trivia questions like: Who was Allan Lamb’s only Test victim? Who was the first Indian to open batting and bowling on Test debut? He was a cunning bowler who made defined the face of Indian bowling in the nineties.However, in spite of some commendable achievements in his career; he continues to be remembered for the wrong reasons. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the career of the man who opened both the batting and bowling for India in a record 21 Tests.
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