I must say it?s good idea for debate. I am sure we can ask ten different people and each one of them would disagree to certain extent on this subject. I would consider following as my top five.
5) Viv Richards: Because he was the most dominant batsman of his time. He put fear into opponents. He had presence on the pitch that is yet to be matched.
4) Imran Khan: Most feared bowler of all time. Like Richards and Lloyd he also had a presence that commanded respect. He, in my opinion was responsible for making Pakistan the world class cricket team.
3) Clyve Lloyd: Hands down he was the best captain (leader). I know some people may disagree with me on this one but he commanded respect on and off the field. He arguably had one of the most talented teams ever to step on the cricket grounds yet there was never a question about who was the leader of the team.
2) Sachin Tendulkar: Hardly any question that he is the most dominant cricket of past ten years. It is scary to think that he is only 28. He has taken standards for batting to a different level. Only thing left for him to do is win World Cup. :) Hey, 2006-07 is not that far away.
1) Kapil Dev: I know I will get enough argument from most people on making Kapil as the best cricketer ever but lets put it this way, Kapil Dev took Indian cricket to a level we never dreamed of. India had won total of ONE MATCH in first two World Cups. If you told someone in 1980 that India will win the next cup they would have told you that man will walk on Mars before India wins World Cup. Now we expect India to win every match they play.
I will undoubtedly get argument from many cricket experts about not listing some of the Australians and British greats as top 5 and understandably so, but most of them played alongside a supporting cast that took pressure away. They didn’t have the burden of carrying the nation on their shoulders as did Imran, Tendulkar or Kapil.
This is a fun debate and I would love to hear other cricket lover’s opinion and choices.