5 former SA cricketers that every Indian fan wished had played for India in their prime

South African cricket gems for IndiaThe number of legends in cricket produced by South Africa is immeasurable. Each player whom they hope to represent the country, invariably becomes a notable name in the cricket circles, sometimes even from a very young age.From Allan Donald to AB de Villiers, the variety of talent sourced from South Africa is innumerable. Fans belonging to other countries have often indulged in wishful thinking of how amazing it would be if some of the Proteas played for their country instead.As far as the wishes of Indian fans are considered, here are 5 such former South Africa players for whom fans have had all eyes and have often yearned that they played for India.

#1 Jacques Kallis

Kallis would have been perfect in the Indian XI

One of the outstanding names in the history of all-rounders, Jacques Kallis has a phenomenal career record that speaks volumes about his abilities with both the bat and the ball. He is South Africa’s leading run-scorer in all formats of the game, with a cumulative tally of 25422 runs from 513 matches. He is also South Africa’s 5th highest wicket-taker overall, registering 572 scalps to his name.

Kallis has had a profound 20-year-long career from 1995 till 2014. India have always been found wanting in the case of a consistent all-rounder. All the all-rounders that India have had so far, have peaked at sometimes and quite predictably, waned off. Surely, a man of Kallis’ cailbre would have found a slot open any time for him in the Indian team.

#2 Shaun Pollock

Polly would have added the edge which Indian bowling needed

The leading wicket-taker of South Africa with a cumulative tally of a whopping 823 wickets from 414 matches overall, Shaun Pollock has scintillated one and all with his bowling spells throughout his career.

He is also well-known for his pace and accuracy, through which he has often been successful throughout his career spanning 14 years from 1995 to 2008. Truly, the South African team of the 90s was at its invincible best, with the likes of Pollock and Kallis at the peak of their forms.

India, who have never been able to find consistently well-performing pacers especially in the 90s, would have welcomed Pollock into their line-up any day.

#3 Allan Donald

Donald’s furious pace for India

Another one of South Africa’s finest fast bowlers, Allan Donald has carved out a name for himself through his lightning quick pace and precise deliveries. The line, length and control that he managed to successfully get right consistently, adds to his charisma as a fast bowler.

Representing South Africa for 13 long years from 1991 to 2003, Donald has an overall record of 602 wickets from 236 matches, a feat very recently surpassed by Dale Steyn. While India are hardly ever known to produce quality pacers who bowl at stunning speeds, Donald would have been a welcome addition to the Indian bowling unit in his prime.

#4 Lance Klusener

Finisher Klusner

Lance Klusener was another one of South Africa’s well-known all-rounders. With a career record of 272 wickets and 5482 runs from 220 matches across all formats, Klusener had time and again proved to give a solid hand with the bat in the lower middle order.

At a time when India was devoid of any prolific finishers who could change the direction of the game with their power-hitting, Klusener would have been a perfect addition to the squad, whose abilities with the bat at the fag end of the innings would have bolstered the team in more ways than one.

#5 Jonty Rhodes

Rhodes in field

One of the world’s greatest fielders of all times, Jonty Rhodes took the importance of fielding in cricket to an entirely new level. His stunning reflexes and accurate throws produced game-changing moments which forever altered the way fielding was perceived. After Rhodes’ foray into cricket and his many acrobatics on the ground, fielding came to be regarded as an integral part of the team’s performance, as much as bowling or batting.

Such a prolific fielder was a rare sight in those days, and India, who were not really known for their fielding in the 90s, would have certainly benefited from the services of a player like Rhodes.