Overview:
In 2025, seven new inductees joined the elite list, with MS Dhoni being the most celebrated name among them. His inclusion sent waves of celebration across India, and rightly so.
The ICC Hall of Fame is a prestigious honour that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of cricketing legends who have helped shape the sport’s vibrant history. Players become eligible for induction only five years after their last international appearance, ensuring that the list includes only retired icons and not current stars. That means modern legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and even Ravichandran Ashwin are not yet eligible.
In 2025, seven new inductees joined the elite list, with MS Dhoni being the most celebrated name among them. His inclusion sent waves of celebration across India, and rightly so. With Dhoni, the total number of Indian cricketers in the Hall of Fame rose to 11.
It’s also the right time to look at other Indian greats who truly deserve a place in this hallowed list. Here are five Indian players who have the records, impact, and legacy worthy of the ICC Hall of Fame.
1. Sourav Ganguly – The Architect of Modern Indian Cricket
When Sourav Ganguly took over as captain, Indian cricket was at its lowest. The match fixing scandal had rocked the sport, and morale was at an all time low. But Ganguly led with intent, aggression, and a fierce belief in his team. Under his leadership, India not only became competitive abroad but also fearless at home. He instilled a culture of self belief and resilience that laid the foundation for future generations.
More than just a captain, Ganguly was a prolific batsman who scored 18,575 international runs across formats, including 38 centuries and 107 half centuries. He led India to the finals of the 2003 World Cup and lifted the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy as joint winners. Ganguly’s keen eye for talent brought in legends like Dhoni, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, and Zaheer, players who went on to become match winners.
Awarded the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri, Ganguly’s contributions go beyond the numbers. He transformed India from a timid team to one that played with passion, pride, and grit. A Hall of Fame honour would be a fitting tribute to the man who made India believe.
2. Harbhajan Singh – The Warrior Who Tamed the Aussies
Often overshadowed by his spin contemporaries, Harbhajan Singh, fondly known as Bhajji or Bajju Pa, was the unsung hero of many Indian triumphs. The 2001 Test series against Australia remains a watershed moment in Indian cricket, and Harbhajan was at the heart of it. His 32 wickets in three Tests not only halted Steve Waugh’s “Final Frontier” dream but also resurrected India’s dominance in the longest format.
With 417 Test wickets in 103 matches, including 25 five wicket hauls, Harbhajan is India’s third highest wicket taker in Tests. He also picked up 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and was a part of India’s victorious squads in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Not just a bowler, Harbhajan was handy with the bat too, scoring 2224 Test runs with 2 centuries and 9 fifties, a testament to his all-round value. Fierce, passionate, and ever reliable, Bhajji deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with the game’s greats in the ICC Hall of Fame.
3. VVS Laxman – The Middle Order Magician
Very, Very Special Laxman, how aptly that nickname sums up one of India’s finest Test match batters. Known for his silken wrist work and steely temperament, VVS Laxman was India’s go-to man during crises. His most iconic knock, the epic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, not only won a Test match but also turned around an entire series and mindset.
Laxman played 134 Tests and scored 8781 runs with 17 centuries and 56 fifties. He also featured in 86 ODIs, amassing 2338 runs, including 6 centuries and 10 fifties. His game was tailor made for Test cricket, particularly in challenging overseas conditions where India often struggled.
A master of the middle order, Laxman’s ability to absorb pressure and rescue India from collapse became his trademark. He was the calm amidst the storm and formed crucial partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar, and Ganguly. Though never flashy, Laxman was indispensable. His contribution to Indian Test cricket is Hall of Fame worthy in every sense.
4. Javagal Srinath – The Silent Destroyer
In an era dominated by spinners, Javagal Srinath emerged as a rare fast bowling gem from India. Bowling on slow and dusty tracks, he carried India’s pace attack on his shoulders for over a decade. A workhorse and a warrior, Srinath gave everything for the team, often without much recognition.
Srinath picked up 551 international wickets, with 236 Test wickets in 67 matches and 315 ODI wickets in 229 games. His pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the ball made him lethal even on unresponsive Indian pitches. He featured in four World Cups and was instrumental in India’s run to the finals in 2003.
What makes Srinath’s achievements more special is the lack of support he had for most of his career. While the world was in awe of fast bowling partnerships, Srinath toiled alone. His commitment, longevity, and performance in testing conditions warrant a place in cricket’s highest honour roll.
5. Yuvraj Singh – The Warrior of White Ball Cricket
No list of deserving Hall of Fame candidates can be complete without Yuvraj Singh. The flamboyant left hander is arguably India’s greatest white ball all rounder. From six sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup to being the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj delivered when it mattered most.
In ODIs, Yuvraj scored 8701 runs in 304 matches, including 14 centuries and 52 fifties, while also picking up 111 wickets. In T20Is, he added 1177 runs and 28 wickets to his tally. Even in Tests, where opportunities were fewer, he managed 1900 runs in 40 matches, with 3 centuries and 9 fifties.
6. Zaheer Khan – From Villain to World Cup Hero
From being the villain in the 2003 World Cup final, where he crumbled under pressure against Australia, to becoming India’s bowling spearhead and top wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup, Zaheer Khan’s redemption arc is one of Indian cricket’s finest.
In the 2011 tournament, Zaheer picked up 21 wickets in 9 matches, including a vital spell in the final against Sri Lanka. That performance was not a one off. Over his career, Zaheer took 311 Test wickets in 92 matches, 282 ODI wickets in 200 matches, and 17 T20I wickets in 17 games. His ability to swing the ball both ways, especially with the old ball, made him lethal across formats.
Zaheer wasn’t just a wicket taker; he was a thinker. He mentored young bowlers and often led from the front in tough overseas tours. A true leader of India’s pace revolution, Zaheer deserves his place among the immortals of the game.
What makes Yuvraj’s story legendary is his battle with cancer, which he fought and won while winning the World Cup for India. His resilience, big match temperament, and all round brilliance have etched his name in Indian cricket folklore. A Hall of Fame induction would immortalize his heroic journey.
While the ICC Hall of Fame rightly enshrines the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and now MS Dhoni, the legacy of Indian cricket is incomplete without recognising other key contributors. Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh have not only delivered stellar individual performances but have also played transformative roles in India’s cricketing evolution.
Each of these legends has left an indelible mark on the sport, and it’s only a matter of time before the Hall of Fame opens its doors for them.
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