5 promising Indian cricketers whose career faded away

Maninder Singh

As a 17-year-old, Maninder Singh was hailed as the heir-apparent to the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. Even after an impressive started that had opposing batsmen fearing his arrival to the bowling crease, his Test career ended at the age of 27 with just 88 wickets an average of 37.

Following in Bishan Bedi's footsteps isn't easy. There were many protégés who tried it in the 1980s but none were especially successful. But with excellent flight, variety and ability to turn the ball viciously on surfaces that suited spin, Maninder Singh had it all. Match-winning performances against England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were proof of that.

However, as soon as he established himself, it all went away. After his 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in Bangalore in 1987, he picked up just two wickets in the next three Tests he played. Thereafter he was dropped from the side, unsuccessfully tried to come back in 1989 where he picked up two wickets in three matches. He played his last Test in 1993 and picked up seven wickets against Zimbabwe but it wasn't enough as he never played for India again.