Indian Cricketers with most consecutive Test appearances

To play Test cricket for their country, still remains, for countless many, the prime duty where it comes to their careers. And then to do well in the format regarded as the greatest challenge and test to gauge individual talent becomes the next best goal.

But what about those cricketers who have excelled in the format for India and have played consistently while doing so?

We have prepared a list of some of the most iconic names of Indian Test cricket who hold the record for most consecutive Test appearances in an Indian shirt. There you go:

Indian Cricketers with most consecutive Test appearances

Sunil Gavaskar: From Jan 23, 1975 to Feb 3, 1987

Before the great Dravid, before the great Tendulkar, there was the OG Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar himself. A batsman about whom the legendary Sir Viv Richards said, "he is a great great man and a great batsman," Gavaskar made India proud in tough overseas conditions and the art of gently timing the ball and playing with soft hands suggested he was a bit of an architect of deft touches and grace with the willow in hand.

What a legend. And do you know, the former legendary top order great actually holds the record for most consecutive Test appearances (106) in an Indian jersey.

That is as amazing an achievement as each of his iconic centuries against the deadly West Indian fast bowlers back in the day, isn't it?

Rahul Dravid: From Jun 20, 1996 to Dec 10, 2005

The man we came to appreciate so little and on so few occasions whilst he was an active Indian Test cricketer that only after he vacated his giant boots did we realise what a legend we had amid us in the playing XI, one who soldiered timelessly and selflessly for his country.

For someone who was often booed by his own country's crowds only so he could depart only for Sachin, the next man in, to come and bat, Rahul Dravid soared serene heights for his country and used to rise to the forefront when the chips were down.

That is how those unique and focus-heavy 36 Test tons were scored alongaide 13228 Test runs. The Wall, known for his great powers of concentration, represented India in as many as 93 consecutive Test matches.

A bonafide legend of the game and one who always put the interest of India first over and above his own ambitions.

Gundappa Viswanath: From Mar 19, 1971 to Jan 30, 1983

There were few cricketers who could time and connect the ball with such grace as maybe the legendary Gundappa Viswanath, someone who's been idolised by other prominent Indian cricketers such as the irrepressible Ravi Shastri.

A model batter for playing cautiously and with a level of technical correctness rarely seen by other Indian batters in the Test level, Viswanath played no fewer than 87 consecutive Test matches for his country, and in those, he mesmerised and entertained in equal measure.

Sachin Tendulkar: From Nov 15, 1989 to Jun 15, 2001

The god of cricket, as he's been called, the little master did really function like a maestro with the bat. What's a touch surprising, however, is that while there's such focus on Tendulkar's 100 centuries and the fact that he rattled the world's finest bowlers by striking 51 Test match centuries, people hardly mention his longevity.

Well, here was a cricketer, who by the way still looks young and handy, who played no fewer than 84 consecutive Test matches for India. Isn't that laudable?