Indian "Golden Oldies" T20 11

[Sooda]

Bit of a rare lull between international fixtures so wanted share this team I thought of pre modern era players who could have made good T20 players. Fun criteria being they should not have played ODI cricket either...

 

Combines deep and aggressive, if a bit inconsistent, batting line up; pacy new ball bowlers; legendary spinners and a few useful all rounders. Some decent fielders too.

 

1. Syed Mushtaq Ali

 

There's a reason why India's T20 domestic tournament is named after him: Syed Mushtaq Ali was a flamboyant left-handed opener known for his fearless strokeplay and impeccable timing, rare in the pre-independence era. He scored 612 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 32.21. His 112 at Old Trafford in 1936 made him the first Indian to score a century overseas. A quick mover in the field, he was regarded as an alert and athletic fielder, especially in the covers.

 

2. Vinoo Mankad

 

An all time great all-rounder, combining resilience as a left-handed opener with clever, flighted slow left-arm orthodox bowling. He scored 2,109 runs and took 162 wickets in 44 Tests. His 231 against New Zealand in 1956 was then India’s highest Test score. With the ball, he took 8/52 against England in 1952. 

 

3. Budhi Kunderan (WK)

 

 Kunderan was an aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman who attacked from the top of the order. He scored 981 runs in 18 Tests at 32.70, including two centuries. His 192 against England in Madras in 1964 was then the highest score by an Indian keeper. Behind the stumps, he claimed 23 catches and made 7 stumpings.

 

4. Polly Umrigar

 

Umrigar was a powerful middle-order batsman, strong against pace, and a useful off-spinner. He scored 3,631 runs in 59 Tests at 42.22, including 12 centuries. His 172* against the West Indies in 1962 was a commanding knock under pressure. With the ball, he took 35 wickets, including 6/74 against the same opposition in 1952. 

 

5. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (captain)

 

"Tiger", was a stylish right-hander known for his wristy strokeplay and nimble footwork despite losing vision in one eye. He captained India in 40 of his 46 Tests, scoring 2,793 runs at 34.91 with six centuries. Under his leadership, India secured its first overseas series win in New Zealand in 1968. An exceptional fielder, especially in the covers, his anticipation and reflexes set new standards for Indian fielding.

 

6. Chandu Borde

 

Chandu Borde was a technically sound middle-order batsman and part-time leg-spinner. He played 55 Tests, scoring 3,061 runs at 35.59 with five centuries. His 177 against Pakistan in Delhi in 1961 was a match-defining effort. With the ball, he took 52 wickets and was known for breaking partnerships.

 

7. CK Nayudu

 

CK Nayudu was a commanding right-handed batsman and India’s first Test captain, known for his raw power and aggressive strokeplay. He also bowled right-arm medium pace and was a genuine all-rounder in domestic cricket, taking over 400 first-class wickets. Though he played only 7 Tests, he was a towering figure in Indian cricket. His 153 for Hindus vs MCC in 1933, which included 11 sixes, remains iconic. He was also a sharp fielder, particularly known for his strong throwing arm and commitment.

 

8. Dattu Phadkar

 

Dattu Phadkar was a composed right-handed batsman and a steady medium-pacer, known for his utility in all conditions. In 31 Tests, he scored 1,229 runs at 32.34 and took 62 wickets. His top score was 123, and he made a strong debut with 51 runs and 3 wickets against Australia in 1947. 

 

9. L Amar Singh

 

L Amar Singh was one of India’s earliest fast-bowling all-rounders, known for his ability to swing the ball and hit powerfully down the order. In 7 Tests, he took 28 wickets at 30.64, with a best of 7/86 at Lord’s in 1936. He also scored 292 Test runs and was highly respected in English county circles. 

 

10. Mohammed Nissar

 

Mohammed Nissar may have been one of the fastest bowlers India has produced, capable of generating genuine pace and bounce. He took 25 wickets in 6 Tests at 28.28. In India’s debut Test at Lord’s in 1932, he dismissed both English openers early, claiming the Indias first Test wicket. 

 

11. Subhash Gupte

 

Subhash Gupte was a master leg-spinner known for his sharp turn, disguised googly, and control over flight and loop. He took 149 wickets in 36 Tests at an average of 29.55, with 12 five-wicket hauls. His best figures, 9/102 against West Indies in 1958 at Kanpur, nearly earned him all 10 wickets in an innings. Gupte was also an excellent close-in fielder, particularly at short leg or silly point, with quick reflexes and sure hands.

 

..

 

Special mentions:

 

12. Eknath Solkar

 

Cheating a bit as he has played a ODI  but Solkar is of course one of the finest close-in fielders in the history of the game.  His fielding at short leg was revolutionary — he took 53 catches in Tests, many of them reflex efforts inches from the bat. His most iconic performance came in the 1971 Port of Spain Test, where his sharp catch off Sobers was pivotal in India's historic win over the West Indies. 

 

He was a gritty left-handed batsman, a useful medium-pace and off-spin bowler. In 27 Tests, he scored 1,068 runs at 25.42 and took 18 wickets, often used as a change bowler in helpful conditions

 

13. Salim Durrani

 

Salim Durrani was a charismatic all-rounder known for his left-arm spin and flamboyant left-handed batting. He played 29 Tests between 1960 and 1973, scoring 1,202 runs at 25.04 and taking 75 wickets at 35.42. Durrani was a match-winner with the ball, famously taking 6/73 and 3/66 in India’s victory over England in Kolkata in 1961–62. With the bat, he was known for his six-hitting ability and crowd-pleasing style.

 

 

14. Bapu Nadkarni

 

Bapu Nadkarni was a left-arm orthodox spinner renowned for his unerring accuracy and economy, often strangling batsmen into submission. He played 41 Tests for India between 1955 and 1968, taking 88 wickets at an average of 29.07, with best figures of 6/43. With the bat, he was a reliable lower-order contributor, scoring 1,414 runs at 25.70, including a highest score of 122*. Nadkarni's most iconic performance came against England in Madras in 1964, where he bowled 21 consecutive maiden overs — a world record. 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Sooda

[Gollum]

Bapu Nadkarni would have been an interesting choice. Supposed to be the most economical bowler of all time, and scored a test 100 against England, so no mug with the bat. 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Gollum

[Sooda]

16 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Bapu Nadkarni would have been an interesting choice. Supposed to be the most economical bowler of all time, and scored a test 100 against England, so no mug with the bat. 

 

Good shout! Yes, vice tight accuracy and could bat. I had thought of him before but the team had a good SLA already. I'll include him in the special mentions 

[putrevus]

I would put Durani in playing XI.Heard lot of stories on how Durani used to hit sixes on demand.

Edited September 30, 2025 by putrevus

[Sooda]

2 hours ago, putrevus said:

I would put Durani in playing XI.Heard lot of stories on how Durani used to hit sixes on demand.

 

That's probably a bit romanticised :-) but yeah I wanted to pick him in, I can only see him in for Nayudu but I don't think I want to do that 

[putrevus]

20 minutes ago, Sooda said:

 

That's probably a bit romanticised :-) but yeah I wanted to pick him in, I can only see him in for Nayudu but I don't think I want to do that 

You don't need all three Polly Umrigar, Pataudi and Chandu Borde in t20 .I would take one of them out for Durani.

 

CK Nayudu would have been great t20 player with his power, so he is must.He should be the captain not Pataudi.

[Sooda]

32 minutes ago, putrevus said:

You don't need all three Polly Umrigar, Pataudi and Chandu Borde in t20 .I would take one of them out for Durani.

 

CK Nayudu would have been great t20 player with his power, so he is must.He should be the captain not Pataudi.

 

Yeah you're Probably right and it'd be Borde out Durrani in

[Lord]

Srikanth

Vinoo Mankad

Engineer

Jimmy Amarnath

Sandeep Patil

Kapil Dev

Durrani

 

 

[Majestic]

On 10/1/2025 at 7:05 AM, Lord said:

Srikanth

Vinoo Mankad

Engineer

Jimmy Amarnath

Sandeep Patil

Kapil Dev

Durrani

 

 

Pataudi as well

[Sooda]

On 10/1/2025 at 2:35 AM, Lord said:

Srikanth

Vinoo Mankad

Engineer

Jimmy Amarnath

Sandeep Patil

Kapil Dev

Durrani

 

 

 

Yep

 

The criteria I set myself, just to make it more interesting, was the players should not have played any limited overs cricket at all so have to go pre 1970s

[jf1gp_1]

I am old but thankfully not that old to have seen any of them play