5 Indian wicket-keepers who played less than 10 Tests
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s foray into international cricket during the mid 2000s resolved India’s much debated conundrum- the search for a reliable wicket-keeper batsman. However, prior to that, Indian cricket had its fair share of woes in this particular department of the game.
India’s wicket-keeping struggle started from Nayan Mongia’s eviction in 2000 and ended with Dhoni’s introduction in 2004. In between the two stalwarts, the selectors drafted in several wicket-keepers. However, none of them could survive the rigours of playing at the highest level for a significant stretch of time.
Let us take a close look at five Indian wicket-keepers who played less than ten Test matches.
#5 Deep Dasgupta - 8 Tests
Deep Dasgupta, the right-handed wicket-keeper batsman from Kolkata, was a skilled cricketer. However, he played only 8 Tests for India and scored 344 runs at an average of 28.66. He made his debut in 2001 at Bloemfontein against South Africa and immediately impressed with a gutsy knock.
He scored 34 runs off 71 balls against the Proteas pace-battery of Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini. After the opening Test, he was promoted to the opening slot. The right-hander responded with a patient innings of 63 runs off 281 balls.
His most significant performance came against England when he racked up his maiden Test ton at Chandigarh. However, after the home series, he played only a handful of matches. Five months after his debut, Dasgupta last represented India in Test cricket against West Indies in Georgetown.