Ravi Shastri names top five Indian cricketers of all time, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Dravid fail to secure spots

Published - 22 Jul 2025, 22:56 IST | Updated - 22 Jul 2025, 23:27 IST

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri did not keep Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Dravid in his list of top-five Indian cricketers of all time. While Bumrah developed his game and became a force to reckon with during Shastri's years as India's head coach, Dravid is regarded as one of the finest red-ball players to have played for the Men in Blue.

Shastri picked Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev on the list. Both of them shared the dressing room with Ravi Shastri during India's triumphant 1983 World Cup campaign. Shastri has also done commentary duties alongside Gavaskar and Dev.

The former all-rounder also picked the iconic Sachin Tendulkar on his list. Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket. Shastri's last two picks were former India captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. While Dhoni has the most wins as India's captain in white-ball cricket, Kohli has the same achievement in Tests.

"Definitely Gavaskar will start. Kapil, Sachin, Virat definitely. I am looking at the most influential players of their era. MS again. Bumrah is still got cricket. So the five will be Sunny, Kapil, Sachin, Dhoni and Virat," Shastri said on an episode of 'Stick to Cricket'.

Shastri kept Tendulkar at the top of the pile because of his longevity and the pressure of expectations he had to contend with. The 63-year-old also mentioned that the Master Blaster had to face some of the most formidable pace attacks during his time.

Shastri was also asked to name the biggest rivalry in cricket. He said that during his time, the India-Pakistan rivalry was the pinnacle. However, in the last 10 years, he mentioned that the India versus Australia rivalry has picked up. The MCG Test during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy drew the most number of spectators for a Test match in Australia.

Sundar can be a genuine all-rounder for India: Shastri

"In the years I have played, India-Pakistan. The interest it generates from the outside, massive. Having said that, I think in the last ten years, India-Australia has taken up. India, England, and Australia have had some fantastic series. We got more crowds in during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG this time. The highest number of people that came in since Bradman's team in 1936. People come in from all parts," he said.