Five Indian Players Who Faded Away After Promising Starts
Published - 04 Apr 2020, 10:40 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:05 AM
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India is one of the largest countries in terms of the population across the globe. And cricket is arguably the most followed sport in the nation. Thus, a host of aspiring cricketers takes birth in every nook and corner every year. Due to this, the competition intensifies, which forces a player to stay on the top of the game at all times to keep their place in the team.
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Over the years, Indian cricket has witnessed plenty of stars come and go. Few of these stars manifested flashes of brilliance and were one-hit wonders. They boasted of potential in their armoury; however, a string of inconsistent performances made them fade away.
We take a look at 5 Indian players who disappeared after promising starts:
Robin Uthappa:
Wicketkeeper-batsman Robin Uthappa made a reasonably good start to his international cricket. He made 86 runs in his ODI debut in April 2006. While still in the Indian team, he didn’t particularly set the stage on fire; he kept giving enough performances to maintain his spot. Notably, Uthappa’s most significant innings came against England in the 2007 Natwest Series in the sixth ODI when he steered India to a series-levelling victory.
The 34-year-old also scored a crucial fifty against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2007 when the Men in Blue struggled at 39 for four. Later, as India won by bowl-out, he was one of the men to hit the stumps successfully.
The veteran was chosen in a few tours and series after that, but he couldn’t make the most of it. And while Uthappa continues to feature in the IPL, it is unlikely to see him in international colours.
Parthiv Patel:
Parthiv Patel made his Test debut at an exceptionally young age of 17 in 2002 against England. In the first half of his career, he mostly represented India in overseas Tests. Despite his mediocre returns with the bat, his presence behind the stumps received admirations. Nevertheless, with the likes of Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni emerging rapidly, the Gujarat-born keeper was sidelined.
Even after Dhoni retired from Tests in late 2014, he remained a distant option as a gloveman. Parthiv Patel finally returned to the Test team in 2018 against South Africa, keeping wickets for the first and second Test, taking ten catches. But with Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha as first-choice options at present, the 35-year old would likely again not get a chance.
Yusuf Pathan:
Yusuf Pathan‘s ability to smash the ball out of the park at will caught the eye of selectors. With his robust performances in the inaugural edition of the IPL, he substantiated his case for regular inclusion in the national side. In 50-over cricket, Pathan did have a few fruitful series against top teams like South Africa and New Zealand before the World Cup.
However, the older of the Pathan brothers was reckless at times. Besides, the consistencies of men like Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina gave rise to the selectors overlooking him entirely. The 37-year old last played for the men in blue in 2012.
Dinesh Mongia:
A handy batting all-rounder belonging to Punjab, Dinesh Mongia. Mongia may have lacked grace and flamboyance; however, he possesses a wide range of strokes in his repertoire. After indifferent displays before the 2003 World Cup, he forced his way into the squad for the mega event. However, in 11 matches, he could score only 120 runs at 20. His last of his 57 ODIs came in 2007.
The 42-year-old played in the first-ever T20 international for India. In that game, Mongia top-scored for his side with 38 in a winning cause. Despite that, he couldn’t make it to the T20 World Cup in 2007. The Punjab-born announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last September.
Karun Nair:
Few players may have had a dream start to their Test career as Karun Nair did. In only his third Test for India, Karun Nair romped his way to a triple-century against England in Chennai in 2016. By reaching the 300-mark, he became only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to do so. He remained unbeaten at 303 during that innings.
And yet, after a rollicking start, the 28-year old couldn’t cross even 50 in his next three Tests across four innings. In the subsequent series against Australia, the Jodhpur-born averaged only 13.50 without getting any chances moving forward. He was included in the first three Tests in England in 2018 but couldn’t make it to the playing eleven. But with age on his side currently, he can make his way back to the outfit.
