The Greatest ODI Batsman - Tendulkar vs Richards

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Any sensible fan would regard these two men as the 2 finest ODI batsmen to have ever laced up a pair of boots. After Viv finished his career, no one probably believed that there would be someday a player who could challenge him for the spot of the greatest ever ODI batsman. But one man came out of the blue and did exactly that - Sachin Tendulkar. To average 45.12 at a strike rate of 86.26 over 442 ODI matches is simple extraordinary. Comparing those figures to Viv's average of 47 and strike rate of 90 over 187 ODI matches, I feel inclined to pick Sachin due to the longevity factor. Sachin has maintained those figures after player a heel of a lot more matches than Viv. But before that, there are certain factors that need to be issued - 1. Viv retired in 1991, while the 15 over fielding restrictions was implemented from 1992. Sachin started opening the innings on a very regular basis from about 1998. Sachin has enjoyed that rule for almost 12 years now, which Viv never did. 2. It's true that the bowling attack in the 90's used to be far better than the attack from 2000 onwards. Sachin made his name during the 90's itself. However, what also true is that the bowling attack in the 70's and 80's when Viv played used to be even better than that of the 90's. 3. Viv enjoyed the liberty to play against the then minnows Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Sachin has got the liberty to play against more than just 1 minnow team (not including Zimbabwe, since it used to have a bowling attack far better than India until Sachin last played them in an ODI match). Let's look at their averages after removing the minnows - Viv - 46.72 Sachin - 43.80 4. Viv used to play at a strike rate of 90, in an era where a strike rate in the 60's used to be the norm. Most of the good ODI players of that time like Miandad, Haynes, Greenidge, etc used to have a strike rate in the 60's. Most importantly, India's Kris Srikanth with a strike rate of 71 used to be considered an aggressive batsman. Imagine what a strike rate of 90 used to mean at that time. Looking at the above factors, i feel inclined to rate Viv as the best ever ODI batsman, with Sachin running in a close second. To put it, "Richards the king, Tendulkar his heir".

[Serani]

NO ITS AFRIDI! he has hit the fastest ever hundred and most sixessssssss!

[maverick.rules]

pointless debate man!!! comparing between era's is not possible due to so many variables like pitches, bowlers, rules (powerplay etc), improvement in bats and other equipments that batsman uses, etc etc... but if i have to choose it will always be SACHIN.

[Serani]

Too many cross era debates on the forum recently with the lack of any real cricket going on.

[Clarke]

Inshallah Inzamam is the greatest batsman

[Mr Eintstein]

viv richards for me, purely because of how his record compares to others of his era. the average strike rate back then was around 60-70, and averages rarely went past 35. his record was almost bradmanesque in how far ahead he was.

[Mamu]

Fair enough -- Viv was great!

[99.94]

Viv.

[Roshanrocks]

if richards played in a pathetic team like sachin played in during 90's he wud hav played more slowly....wud he? wudnt he? who knowz? if richards had one billion people sitting on his head....... if richards wud have played west indiian bowling...... if richards had played so much overdose of cricket like sachin..... what is the bowlers during richards time had access to technology to microscopically study a batsman ? what if the fileding standards were high as of now... what if he had to play murali n shane warne??? if xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx comparing players from different eras is waste of time.... we cud only argue ....in terms of what if.... but we wud never know the answers....

[saneindian]

Sachin the greatest ODI opener ever. Viv the greatest ever middle order batsman in ODIs. (and perhaps the best ever batsman too).

[Chorazin Reto]

Michael Bevan? Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also a maybe, will see when he gets to the end of his career, he is definitely looking the good so far. Bevan 232 matches avg 53.58 SR 74.16 Dhoni 162 matches avg 51.13 SR 89.86

[teacup]

Any sensible fan would regard these two men as the 2 finest ODI batsmen to have ever laced up a pair of boots. After Viv finished his career' date=' no one probably believed that there would be someday a player who could challenge him for the spot of the greatest ever ODI batsman. But one man came out of the blue and did exactly that - Sachin Tendulkar. To average [b']45.12 at a strike rate of 86.26 over 442 ODI matches is simple extraordinary. Comparing those figures to Viv's average of 47 and strike rate of 90 over 187 ODI matches, I feel inclined to pick Sachin due to the longevity factor. Sachin has maintained those figures after player a heel of a lot more matches than Viv. But before that, there are certain factors that need to be issued - 1. Viv retired in 1991, while the 15 over fielding restrictions was implemented from 1992. Sachin started opening the innings on a very regular basis from about 1998. Sachin has enjoyed that rule for almost 12 years now, which Viv never did. 2. It's true that the bowling attack in the 90's used to be far better than the attack from 2000 onwards. Sachin made his name during the 90's itself. However, what also true is that the bowling attack in the 70's and 80's when Viv played used to be even better than that of the 90's. 3. Viv enjoyed the liberty to play against the then minnows Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Sachin has got the liberty to play against more than just 1 minnow team (not including Zimbabwe, since it used to have a bowling attack far better than India until Sachin last played them in an ODI match). Let's look at their averages after removing the minnows - Viv - 46.72 Sachin - 43.80 4. Viv used to play at a strike rate of 90, in an era where a strike rate in the 60's used to be the norm. Most of the good ODI players of that time like Miandad, Haynes, Greenidge, etc used to have a strike rate in the 60's. Most importantly, India's Kris Srikanth with a strike rate of 71 used to be considered an aggressive batsman. Imagine what a strike rate of 90 used to mean at that time. Looking at the above factors, i feel inclined to rate Viv as the best ever ODI batsman, with Sachin running in a close second. To put it, "Richards the king, Tendulkar his heir".

India were one of the minnows in ODI cricket until 1983.

[Bradman99]

Bevan, Viv, Tendulkar, Ponting... All have a case..

[Sir john]

re

Too many cross era debates on the forum recently with the lack of any real cricket going on.

agree man.hands up

[vvvslaxman]

I think Ravindra Jadeja will beat both of them.

[zubinpepsi]

H(dontknow the exact spelling) Kanitkar..

[Guest DeveGowda]

Sujith somsundar...definitely

[Roshanrocks]

i will go mad..... i saw a thread of sachin vs ponting... then sachin vs sehwag,.. then sachin vs bradman... now sachin vs richards... bassss karo bhai log....

[Sooda]

I vote for Amay Khurasiya

[SRT PWNS]

I say Chris Martin...