3 Indian cricketers, who debuted alongside Virat Kohli, showed promise but ultimately faded from the international scene. Despite initial potential and domestic success, injuries, inconsistent performances, and fierce competition led to their careers stalling, highlighting the unforgiving nature of international cricket and the challenges of maintaining consistency.
1. Manpreet Gony
Manpreet Gony initially caught attention with his impressive height and pace, making him a promising prospect for Indian fast bowling. His domestic record, especially in first-class cricket, generated significant excitement around his international debut. However, injuries plagued his career, often derailing his attempts to secure a permanent place in the team. Despite glimpses of potential, Gony struggled with consistency, and his international career became a tale of unfulfilled promise. His journey underscores the importance of fitness alongside talent in the demanding world of international cricket.
2. S. Badrinath
Subramaniam Badrinath was known for his solid technique and ability to handle pressure, making him a stalwart in domestic cricket. His debut generated optimism for his potential to strengthen India’s middle order. However, missed opportunities and inconsistent performances on the international stage kept him from replicating his domestic success. While he showed flashes of brilliance in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings, the emergence of newer, dynamic players overshadowed his career. Badrinath’s story highlights the cruel timing and selection challenges in cricket, where even talent can sometimes struggle to find a place at the highest level.
3. Naman Ojha
Naman Ojha’s cricketing journey was always overshadowed by the presence of MS Dhoni, especially as a wicket-keeper batsman. His solid domestic performances and occasional IPL brilliance were overshadowed by the daunting challenge of competing with one of India’s greatest. While Ojha’s international appearances were few, he showed competence, but the constant comparison to Dhoni proved too much. Ojha’s story highlights the reality that, despite talent and hard work, timing and circumstances often dictate success in cricket. The long shadow of Dhoni made it difficult for Ojha to carve out his place at the highest level.