5 promising Indian cricketers who had an unceremonious end to their career

Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. It isn't a garden where you reap what you sow. Such has been the case of some talented cricketers. They did all that is required to play longer than what they did but other possibilities prevailed over their consistency and hard work.

Here is a look at some promising cricketers whose stint at the international level did not do justice to their talent.

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#1 Vinod Kambli

An extremely gifted and talented batsman – Vinod Kambli was well-known for his flashy stroke play and his on-field flamboyance. Kambli kicked off his short-lived test career with two double hundreds and two hundreds in his first seven Test matches. He announced himself to the world of international cricket with his fearless approach.

Earlier, Kambli began his Ranji Trophy career with a six off the first ball he faced and later caned Shane Warne for 22 runs in a single over while chasing in a semi-final game of Austral-Asia cup in Sharjah in 1994. He is the fastest Indian ever to 1000 Test runs as he reached the milestone in just 14 innings.

Sadly, Kambli wasn't considered for the selections after scoring consistent runs at international as well as at the first-class level. He played his last Test match at the age of 23 and his Test career ended with 1084 runs at an average of 54.20.

Kambli had a relatively longer One Day International career as he played over 100 ODIs and was a regular middle-order batsman in the side until his performance declined in 1996. He was later given chances but the pressure took its toll on him and he was never able to cement his place into the side.

Kambli's ODI career ended in 2000 with 2477 runs at an average of 32.59. His career soon started fading away while dark whiskers spoke of his lack of temperament (on and off the field), his addiction to alcohol, and his bad relationship with the teammates.

#2 Nari Contractor

Critical injuries derailed Nari Contractor's career

Nari Contractor was one of the most fearless batsmen India ever produced. Beginning his Ranji career with hundreds in both the innings of his debut game (second batsman to do so after Arthur Morris), Contractor made headlines with his unflinching batting approach. In 1959, playing at Lord’s against England, he was severely injured by Brian Statham resulting in two broken ribs but the gutsy opener went on to score 81 runs before he was dismissed by Greenhough.

A couple of years later, Contractor led India to a famous series win against England and was made the captain in the same season before the tour to the West Indies. India lost the first two games and was under pressure to make their mark against a fearsome bowling attack.

In a practice game against Barbados, Contractor was severely injured after being hit on the back of skull by a bouncer bowled by Charlie Griffith. He immediately fell unconscious and was rushed to the hospital.

Contractor didn't move for six days and had a blood transfusion. He made a remarkable recovery and made a comeback to First Class cricket but was never picked for the national side. Thus, a promising career ended in a misery.

#3 Sandeep Patil

Disciplinary issues caused the downfall of Sandeep Patil

The Mumbaikar was a versatile middle-order batsman and an occasional medium-pace bowler. Patil proved his mettle soon after making his Test debut in his first tour as he scored 174 off 240 balls against Australia whose bowling department comprised of the deadly duo of Dennis Lillee and Len Pascoe.

In 1982, the Old Trafford stadium in England witnessed something extraordinary as Patil smashed Bob Willis for six consecutive boundaries. His middle-order heroics were crucial for India.

After the World Cup victory, he played a few handy knocks but his attitude and indiscipline could not help him stay longer in the team. Thus, a blossoming career ended with just 28 Tests and 45 ODIs to his name.

#4 Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan was one of India's best seam bowlers

This blue-eyed man from Baroda whose name often resonates with the word ‘swing’ arrived to the international cricket scene like a thunderstorm but went like the wind. Averaging 32 with both bat & ball in Tests, Irfan Pathan was a key contributor. Although his average in ODIs was lesser at 23 with the bat and 29 with the ball, Irfan's talent was way above his numbers.

Irfan kicked open the gates of Indian cricket team after performing well with his left-arm seam bowling in the under-19 and the First Class level. Playing his first match against Australia at a tender age of 19, Pathan couldn't prove his mettle picking just 1 wicket and giving away runs at the rate of five per over. His career was filled with crests and troughs.

Pathan's substantial swing bowling in the year 2004 troubled batsman of higher dexterity as he ended the year with 32 Test and 47 ODI wickets. Picking up 18 wickets in two tests against Bangladesh, he was adjudged the Emerging Player of the year by ICC.

Chappell-Dravid era saw him getting groomed as a batsman. Often promoted up the order, his careful batting approach often was a boon for India. His remarkable stint against Pakistan in the 2005-06 test series saw him notching a 210-run partnership with MS Dhoni in the second test. In the following match, Pathan took a hat-trick in the very first over picking up the wickets of Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Mohammed Yousuf. This made people compare him to the Indian legend Kapil Dev.

It seemed as if the quest for a seaming all-rounder since Kapil Dev's retirement had come to an end but the fall of 2006 saw a dip in his form and his confidence crumbled. Injuries continued to haunt him as he made comebacks, but the world couldn't see the vintage Irfan Pathan again.

#5 Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's career tanked due to inconsistency

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan made his First Class debut at the age of 16 and scaled 7 for 28 against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals. He made headlines when he dismissed Sunil Gavaskar in a game against West Zone.

The lean leg spinner from Tamil Nadu made his international debut at the age of 17 against West Indies in 1983 on the backing of these amazing performances at the First Class level. While playing for India he failed to pick a wicket against the strong West Indies on his debut and was not picked again for 18 months.

On his return to the side, Siva picked up three consecutive six-wicket hauls against England in a home series. Siva was well-known for his ability to flight the ball. His 12 for 181 in a single test match and 25 wickets in the series earned him the Man of the Series award against England.

His sudden decline in form resulted in his getting dropped from the side. He tried to make a comeback as an all rounder but with little luck. He seemed to be scaling the heights of cricket in a very short period but fell eventually. He played in the domestic circuit for another 10 years before retiring in 1999.