5 cricketers born in the wrong era who never got a chance to shine
Cricket, being the unpredictable game that it is, requires a combination of fortune and other factors (such as maybe knowing the right people) to reach success. There have been cricketers who have had ample talent, have shown utmost dedication on the field and have contributed significantly to the game but have still not been able to make a mark for themselves.
These names usually die out without getting ample opportunity to showcase their talent. They are ‘unlucky’ in the sense that they were born in a wrong era which placed these talented cricketers against well-established players or exposed them to stiff competition from their teammates.
Here are five such cricketers who, if born in a different era, could have achieved unquestionable glory.
5. Subramaniam Badrinath
The Tamil Nadu batsman is best known for his sound technique and calm approach towards the game, which has helped him perform in tight situations.
Representing Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, Badrinath amassed almost 10,245 first-class runs in the domestic circuit at an average of 55 with 32 centuries, making him one of the finest contenders who could have played for India. He has also had a brilliant stint in T20 playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
It indeed has to be his poor fate that he was born in the wrong era. An era which saw the ‘Fab 4’ (Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman) dominating Indian cricket, youngsters like Badrinath were forced to be sidelined. He played only two Tests and seven ODIs for India, which arguably is significantly less, considering the class batsman that he was.
4. Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge has been a prolific Australian batting all-rounder who is known for his smart cricketing talent. He is one of the few Australian cricketers who have been successful across all three formats of the game. His quality of adapting to various situations is outstanding. He can be technical in Tests and can be equally destructive in T20s. He still remains one of Australia's most unlucky and underutilised cricketers.
Hodge has been one of those devoted cricketers whose records speak for his performance. Despite Hodge’s magical numbers in all formats and at all levels, he faced tough competition from the already established batting lineup which consisted of Ponting, Martyn and Hayden.
Michael Clarke was given a chance to fit into the Australian team over Hodge and since then Clarke has grown as a cricketer and Hodge’s chances to play for Australia have diminished. Despite performing so well, he could only manage 6 Tests and 25 ODIs for Australia.
3. Graham Onions
A dedicated, committed and professional cricketer at heart, Graham Onions, without a doubt, is one of the finest cricketing talents to have emerged from England. A right-arm fast bowler, he was best known for his outstanding seam bowling abilities.
Onions announced himself in world cricket when he rattled the strong Middlesex batting line up in 2006 by taking a five-wicket haul. But his best came when he took a whopping 69 wickets at a stunning average of 19.95 in the 2009 season of County Cricket. With more than 700 scalps in first-class cricket, Onions has been a consistent performer for Durham. His ability to bowl long and continuous spells and maintain a sturdy line and length has been his defining strength.
Onions has played just 9 Tests and 4 ODIs for England, something which is significantly less considering his potential and talent. He faced stiff competition from other English fast-bowlers, especially from his counterpart James Anderson who has been brilliant over the years.
Selectors had a tough choice between him and Anderson, and eventually, it was Anderson who was preferred. Onions, despite being so committed and successful, never got the opportunity to prove his worth just because he was born in an era that gave England abundant seam bowling options.
2. Stuart MacGill
Stuart Macgill is a right-arm leg spinner from Australia. A quality leg break googly bowler, MacGill was a threat to the batsman on turning pitches. His ability to deceive the batsman by tossing the ball up yielded him many wickets. Macgill has taken 208 wickets in the 44 Tests he played for Australia.
Both MacGill and Shane Warne were masters of their trade, but it was Warne who became captain’s first choice and was preferred by the selectors. Macgill, despite performing brilliantly with the ball, didn’t get enough opportunities to prove his worth. With Warne having cemented his place in the Australian team, MacGill was consigned to being Australia’s second-choice spinner in a pace-heavy attack.
1. Murali Kartik
Murali Kartik is an Indian spinner who is best known for his ability to bowl quick and flat. Being rated as one of India's best left-arm spinners, Kartik’s journey could be termed as unfortunate as he didn’t get enough opportunities to showcase his talent. A very talented and hard-working cricketer, his ability to bowl with variation was his major strength.
Possessing a mind-boggling domestic record, he can truly be regarded as one of India’s true spin sensations. With 644 first-class wickets at an average of 26.70, he was a threat to the batsman irrespective of where he played. His success has not been limited to sub-continent pitches as he has been equally successful overseas as well.
Murali Kartik was unfortunate in the sense that he managed to play only 8 Tests and 37 ODIs for India despite performing brilliantly in the domestic circuit. He was not able to fix his place in the team owing to good performances by Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. With all three being equally competent, the selectors had a tough choice and it was Kartik who was dropped.