Sourav Ganguly

For a man criticised often, Sourav Ganguly has notched up an impressive win-loss record as Indian captain while hitting mammoth match-winning knocks in one-day internationals. While his Test form has been less impressive, he has managed to inspire fellow batsmen to great heights, surely an achievement that qualifies him hugely for the Indian Player of the Year.

Rahul Dravid

Once again India's most consistent batsmen, especially abroad, Rahul Dravid has virtually made the Number Three place his own. Scoring 935 Test runs in 2001, Dravid averaged a spectacular 46.75; in one-day internationals, Dravid aggregated 740 runs at 43.52. Often the anchor for a shaky Indian innings, Dravid's contributions go much beyond mere figures, providing much-needed stability in crisis situations.

Sachin Tendulkar

Scoring 1003 Test runs at 62.68, Sachin Tendulkar is, as always, a hot candidate for Indian Player of the Year. Often playing a lone hand for his side, Tendulkar has responded in stellar fashion. In one-day internationals, Tendulkar has been even more impressive, notching up 904 runs at 69.5. A year that saw him pass 10,000 one-day runs and 27 Test hundreds surely must be special for the Little Master.

VVS Laxman

Finally cementing his place in the side, VVS Laxman's most notable feat in 2001 was a knock that will live brightly in history - a series-changing 281 against Australia at Kolkata, an innings that not only won India the match but also enabled them to come back into the series and defeat the all-conquering Australians. Averaging 57.13 in 2001, Laxman would count this year his finest in international cricket.

Harbhajan Singh

Virtually the sole architect of a dramatic series win against Australia, Harbhajan Singh's 32-wicket series was only surpassed by his 60-wicket year of 2001. With a strike rate of 54 and an average of 24.95, Harbhajan has doubled the Indian spin potency with his nagging off-breaks. A perfect complement to leggie Anil Kumble, Harbhajan became the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick earlier this year. To the turbaned spinner, the harvest of 2001 will live vividly in his mind for years to come.

Virender Sehwag

Unwillingly dragged into a controversy towards the end of the year, Virender Sehwag has otherwise had a fine 2001. Accomplishing the rare feat of scoring a century on Test debut, Sehwag further impressed with his show of temperament and attitude against the South Africans on their turf. The one-day arena has been no less favouring to Sehwag; making a whirlwind hundred against New Zealand in Sri Lanka and further fifties to underline his potential, Sehwag will mark 2001 as the first step of a long and prosperous journey in international cricket.

Shiv Sunder Das