Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (40-31)

#32 Dilip Sardesai

Dilip Sardesai reserved his best for crisis situations and hostile conditions

If 1983 re-defined ODI cricket in India, 1971 served as the watershed moment in the country's Test history. Often derided for their lack of potency away from home, Ajit Wadekar's team finally turned the tide with successive series victories in West Indies and England. While many fondly recall the prolific run-making of Sunil Gavaskar and the game-changing spells of Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, the resilient efforts of Dilip Sardesai are not remembered by the masses with the same vigour.

Yet, it was Sardesai who kept the Caribbean bowlers at bay with a whopping 642 runs at an average of 80.25 including a spectacular double ton on a quick surface at Sabina Park. Were it not for his dogged 139-ball 54 and spirited 156-ball 40, India might not have plotted their euphoric conquest of The Oval and the accompanying maiden Test series triumph in England. The commendable aspect of his feats stemmed from the right-hander's wherewithal to curb his extensive array of shots and bat according to the situation.

Career Span: 1961-1972

Statistics: 2001 runs from 30 matches at an average of 39.23 with 5 centuries and 9 fifties