As I reflect on the evolution of cricket and the multitude of changes it has undergone, my mind fondly recalls some of the cricketers who might have shone brightly in today’s formats or simply missed their chance back then. I hold immense admiration and love for these players, whose careers I followed with great passion.

From my early days in Delhi, I remember a few cricketers who had the potential to excel in different formats. Among them was Man Mohan Sood, who played a few games for India—a prolific batsman who could have fit well in today’s game. Akash Lal and Prakash Bhandari, both good openers for Delhi, were aggressive in their approach and always a delight to watch. Another talented player, Venkat Sundaram, also from Delhi, was a fine batsman.

From Chennai, I remember Michael Dalvi, a stylish and aggressive batsman who was always on the cusp of selection for India. J.R. Maruti, whom I knew through a friend, was another good batsman with great potential. Kalyanasundaram, a promising fast bowler, Rajagopal, and Belliappa, a reliable wicket-keeper and batsman, all made significant contributions. Vasudevan, a left-handed all-rounder, and Venkataramana, an off-spinner, were also notable names. Sunil Subramaniam, another spinner, and Sivaramakrishnan, a left-handed opener, narrowly missed national selection. Satwender Singh, despite his knee issues, was a joy to watch.

From Bangalore, Jayaprakash, who later became a renowned umpire, showcased his all-round skills, and Vijayakumar was known for his aggressive batting style, which made listening to his commentary a pleasure. Sudhakar Rao and Jayantilal, who played one Test, also deserve mention. Hyderabad had talents like Ramnarayan, a great off-spinner whose career coincided with the legendary Prasanna and Venkataraghavan, and Kanwaljit Singh, another off-spinner. Ashokanand was a stylish batsman who left his mark.

Among those who represented India in my time, I fondly remember Farokh Engineer, Budhi Kunderan, Salim Durani, and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Others include Hanumant Singh, Ramakant Desai, and the illustrious spin quartet of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna, and Venkataraghavan. Batsmen like Mohinder Amarnath, Kris Srikkanth, and the great Sunil Gavaskar were inspirational figures. All-rounders like Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, and bowlers such as Srinath and Zaheer brought pride to the nation. I also recall Azharuddin, Vengsarkar, and the stylish Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy. It’s a challenge to remember every name, and I apologize if I’ve missed anyone.

Then, of course, there’s MS Dhoni—fondly known as ‘Thala’—whose calm demeanor, strategic acumen, and infectious smile endeared him to fans worldwide. His humble nature, astute leadership, and remarkable skills make him a true legend. He remains an inspiration, and his legacy will continue to be celebrated.

I am grateful to all these cricketers, past and present, for the immense joy they’ve brought to fans like me. Watching cricket remains one of my greatest pleasures, and I look forward to continuing this journey as a fan.

To be continued... 75. What Did the Kids Do That I Didn’t - Part 1