Top 7 Indian Sultans of Swing: Exponents of a Mysterious Craft

#4 Manoj Prabhakar

Prabhakar took 96 wickets in tests

One of the rare Indian fast-bowling all-rounders to open with bat and ball, the Delhi sensation had an ignominious end to his career. But, in his prime, he could put Kapil to shade. He was one of India’s first truly talented ODI specialists, who had the capability of bowling six different balls in an over.

Prabhakar garnered 253 wickets in all, 157 in ODIs at an impressive average of 28.87 and an economy of 4.27 and 96 wickets in Tests. The beginning of the end came with Prabhakar’s mistreatment in the hands of Sanath Jayasuriya in the 1996 World Cup.

The controversial bowler, though, could have imparted a lot of knowledge to future bowlers if not for the shadow of various controversies. A big fan of rhythm-run-up-follow-through, Prabhakar belonged to the school of thought that valued swing over raw pace and wily tricks.