5 Most Selfless Indian Cricketers 

Since its inception in the late 16th century, cricket is considered to be a gentleman’s game. The famous examples of Adam Gilchrist walking off the field after edging the ball which the umpire deemed he had not edged in the semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee after Australia fell extremely close to England’s total at Edgbaston in 2005 and Sir Richard Hadlee denying himself a 10-wicket haul by selflessly taking the catch proves that cricket is indeed a gentlemen's game.

But this new age cricket is being questioned by the purists if it still remains to be a gentleman’s game. The incidents of sledging, match-fixing, and spot-fixing prove that the game is not being played in the right spirit. One can find only a few cricketers in this modern-cricket who play selfless cricket.

However, there have been a few cricketers who have always kept the team first and have done everything that the team needed of them. So, now let us take a look at five most selfless Indian cricketers who have done everything that team asked them to and have equally celebrated the achievements of their teammates.

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#5 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir has always been a player who keeps the team first. From providing an invaluable support as an opener in Tests and T20Is to batting as a floater in ODIs - Gautam Gambhir has done everything his team asked of him.

The elegant southpaw has played a crucial role in India winning the ICC World T20 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with his aggregates of 227 and 393 runs respectively. Besides these, the Delhi-born cricketer has played numerous valuable knocks to bail India out of trouble.

However, most of his valuable contributions have been masked by the achievements of his better-placed teammates. He is one of the few cricketers whose achievements are under-appreciated.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is one of the very few cricketers who would never shy away from taking responsibility and taking on challenges for the team’s cause. Rahane with his old-school game is one of the most technically solid batsmen in the world cricket at the moment.

Rahane has been one of the most successful Indian players both with the bat and in the slips in the longer form of the game with an average in excess of 40. When it comes to limited overs cricket, Rahane has mostly played as a floater for team's cause before going out of favour.

Rahane is very humble off the field but he is a real fighter on it. He is one of the few players whose aggression reflects their actions, not in their words. His selflessness towards the team is as admirable as his excellent batting skills.

The Mumbai-born cricketer has thus far played 52 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is scoring in excess of 6500 runs with the help of 12 tons in all formats combined.

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

He may not have the sheer numbers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but Suresh Raina has been a match winner for India in limited overs cricket. He is one of the very few cricketers who hardly have any haters. His valuable partnerships with Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni in the first decade of the 21st-century and his valuable contributions in the knock-out matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 are priceless for team India.

Besides his elegant batting, Raina is an excellent player. He usually adds 15 to 20 runs to the team score with his tremendous fielding skills. He is a complete player who can bat, bowl and field. The best thing about Raina is that he will always be the first one on the field to go and hug the bowler with plenty of enthusiasm as if he took that wicket.

The Uttar Pradesh born-player has thus represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is and scored around 8000 runs with the help of 7 tons in all formats combined.

#2 Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev fondly known as Haryana Hurricane is without a doubt the greatest all-rounder Indian cricket has ever produced. One can understand the impact that Kapil has made on Indian cricket with his exceptional cricketing skills as India is still searching for a quality all-rounder who matches the quality of the legendary player.

Kapil is the first Indian captain to win the World Cup when he led the Indian team to glory in the 1983 World Cup by defeating the giants West Indies in the Finals at Lord's. Kapil Dev becoming emotional and crying like a child in an interview when his name was dragged into the match-fixing scandal shows how much he values the game and his country. A selfless player and an exceptional leader, Kapil is most remembered for his dignity and conduct on and off the field.

The Haryana-born cricketer has donned the Indian jersey in 131 Tests and 225 ODIs, scoring in excess of 9000 runs, scalping around 700 wickets in both formats combined. Kapil is the only cricketer in the history of Tests to score 5000 runs and take 400 wickets.

#1 Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, fondly known as "The Wall" was the crisis man for India whenever they were in trouble. Though Dravid has played second fiddle for the most part of his career he still scored in excess of 13000 Test runs at an average of 52.31 and 10,000 ODI runs at an average of nearly 40.

Throughout his career, he was always there for the team. Be it opening in Tests or keeping the wickets when the team needed an extra batsman or bowler in ODIs - Rahul Dravid had always been India's go-to man.

Even now, he is serving the Indian cricket quietly by coaching the India Under-19 and India ‘A’ team. Harsha Bhogle famously said Dravid is the wolf who lived for the pack. That perfectly sums up Dravid's services to the Indian cricket team.