Have you ever imagined about best overseas batsmen for India? From Lala Amarnath, who scored the first century in 1933, India has owned players like Polly Umrigar, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and recently King Virat Kohli. Many players from India have earned the reputation as the greatest batsman in their period. We called them GOATs (greatest of all time).
Criteria For Picking Best Overseas Batsmen For India
But how do you tell if a player is a great player? So, unlike others, a player is significant when he performs consistently against big teams under challenging conditions. So any Indian or Asian batter faces most difficulties in SENA countries when they play against SENA countries. Because in countries like South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia, the pitches are very helpful for fast bowlers.
Also, the weather conditions are very different compared to sub-continent conditions. The pace and bounce on the pitches are very high, and grassy pitches tend to help seam bowlers swing the ball at their best. Regarding sub-continent conditions, we mostly see spin-friendly wickets. Even in countries like the West Indies, we can see spin tracks. So except for SENA countries, the remaining places are mostly suitable and helpful for Indian players. Also, SENA countries are very strong compared to all other teams in the cricketing world.
Hence we can judge that Indian players who played at their best in SENA countries against SENA countries are the best overseas batsmen for India. So in this article, we will look at all time top 5 overseas batsmen for India. The criteria for this selection are very simple. We included the stats across all formats that Indian players played in SENA against SENA with having a minimum of 2500 runs in their careers. Finally, we also mention the best overseas batsmen for India according to each format.
Top 5 Best Overseas Batsmen For India
5. VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman is a former Indian cricketer widely known as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of Indian cricket. He was a right-handed middle-order batsman who played for the Indian national team from 1996 to 2012. Laxman was known for his elegant stroke play and ability to score runs quickly. He was also a very effective player in pressure situations and played several match-winning innings for India over the years. Laxman was a key member of the Indian team that won the historic Test series against Australia in 2001, and he also played a pivotal role in several other memorable victories.
VVS Laxman’s overseas stats across formats against SENA in SENA
Innings – 93
Runs – 3101
Average – 37.4
100s – 7
50s – 15
Highest Score – 178
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4. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is considered as one of the greatest opening batsmen in cricket history. He played for the Indian national team from 1971 to 1987 and was known for his technical proficiency and ability to score runs consistently. Gavaskar was particularly successful against the West Indies and played a key role in several of India’s Test victories against them. He scored 34 centuries in his Test career, a world record at retirement.
Sunil Gavaskar’s overseas stats across formats against SENA in SENA
Innings – 90
Runs – 3343
Average – 39.8
100s – 8
50s – 18
Highest Score – 221
3. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is another greatest batsman in the sport’s history. He played for the Indian national team from 1989 to 2013 and holds numerous batting records, including the most runs scored in both Test and One Day International cricket. Tendulkar was known for his impeccable technique and ability to score runs in all conditions. He was also a part of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Sachin Tendulkar’s overseas stats across formats against SENA in SENA
Innings – 208
Runs – 8263
Average – 42.1
100s – 21
50s – 38
Highest Score – 241*
2. Virat Kohli*
Virat Kohli is the former captain of the Indian national team and the modern GOAT. He is considered one of the best batsmen in the world and has numerous records to his name. Kohli has led the Indian team to many victories and is known for his aggressive and dynamic leadership style. He has also received numerous awards and accolades for outstanding performances in various cricket tournaments.
Virat Kohli’s overseas stats across formats against SENA in SENA
Innings – 175
Runs – 7345
Average – 45.1
100s – 19
50s – 39
Highest Score – 169
Note: Virat Kohli has not yet retired from International cricket. So his stats may vary in the future. We took up to WTC final 2023 vs. Australia in England.
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1. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid is considered a man of crisis for Indian cricket. He has earned a reputation for his remarkable technique and sportsmanship. Dravid is known for his calm and composed demeanor on and off the field and has been a role model for many aspiring cricketers. He has also served as a coach for the Indian national team and has contributed significantly to developing young talent in the country.
Rahul Dravid’s overseas stats across formats against SENA in SENA
Innings – 150
Runs – 6110
Average – 45.6
100s – 11
50s – 40
Highest Score – 233
Best Overseas Batsmen For India In Each Format
Test Format – Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is a legendary cricketer who had an illustrious test career. He played 200 test matches for India and scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. Tendulkar also holds the record for the most test centuries, with 51 centuries to his name. He was known for his elegant batting style and ability to play spin and pace bowling with equal ease. Tendulkar’s contribution to Indian cricket is immeasurable, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers ever.
Sachin Tendulkar’s overseas stats in Test Format against SENA in SENA
Innings – 114
Runs – 5387
Average – 51.3
100s – 17
50s – 23
Highest Score – 241*
ODI Format – Virat Kohli*
Virat Kohli is a world-class cricketer who has had an impressive ODI career. Kohli is the fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 runs in ODI cricket. He is known for his aggressive batting style and ability to chase down targets easily. Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket is immense, and he is already considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
Virat Kohli’s overseas stats in ODI Format against SENA in SENA
Innings – 69
Runs – 3061
Average – 49.4
Strike Rate – 87.9
100s – 8
50s – 19
Highest Score – 160*
Note: Stats up to July 2023 only
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T20I Format – Virat Kohli*
Virat Kohli has also had a successful T20 career. His ability to score runs quickly and his aggressive style of play make him a valuable asset to the Indian T20 team. He has also captained the team in T20 matches, leading them to many victories. Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket is truly remarkable, and he is a true inspiration to young cricketers worldwide.
Virat Kohli’s overseas stats in T20I Format against SENA in SENA
Innings – 26
Runs – 865
Average – 39.3
Strike Rate – 137
100s – 0
50s – 7
Highest Score – 90*
Note: Stats up to July 2023 only