Indians in the Wisden hall of fame

Anant Gaundalkar

Indian Skipper Sachin Tendulkar has been named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year for 1996-1997 cricketing year.

Tendulkar earns the honour for his outstanding performance during India's tour of England in 1996. In three Test matches during that tour, he notched up 428 runs with the help of two centuries and a fifty, at an impressive average of 85.60. Further, in seven first-class matches, he plundered 707 runs.

This is the second year in succession that an Indian has bagged this coveted honour. Last year, it was the turn of leg-spinner Anil Kumble who, while playing for Northamptonshire in the county championships a couple of years back, captured 105 wickets at an impressive average of 20.40. His tally of victims was the highest during that season.

Tendulkar now becomes the 15th Indian player to be nominated in the Wisden's annual rating. The complete list is: Ranjisinhji, Duleepsinhji, Iftiqar Ali Khan Pataudi, C K Nayudu, Vijay Merchant, Vinoo Mankad, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Bhagwat Chandrashekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Anil Kumble and Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Continued