Who is the greatest batsman in Cricket History?

damithudaya (77)modAtlas Ambassador - LKin Steem Sri Lanka • 23 hours ago

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Recently, Joe Root has been climbing the ladder of the highest run scorers table in Test Cricket. He is doing it rather quickly, breaking many records in his journey. Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest batters in this generation, and most probably the best one from the England.

Anyway, is he better than the Master Blaster? Even he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar and became the highest run-scorer in Test, I still think Sachin has the edge being the best batter. This is not a comparison, just some stats about Sachin's career.

He started his career in the Indian national team on 15 November 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi at the age of sixteen. A teenager, holding the hope of billions of people and inspiring them for more than two decades, it's just amazing.

His Career stats

Format	Matches	Runs Scored	Batting Avg	100s/50s	Top Score	Wickets	Catches	Debut	Last Match
Test	200	15,921	53.78	51/68	248*	46	115	15/ 11/ 1989 vs Pakistan	14 Nov 2013 vs West Indies
ODI	463	18,426	44.83	49/96	200*	154	140	18 Decz1989 vs Pakistan	18 Mar 2012 vs Pakistan

Top Records

Highest run scorer in both Test and ODI matches
Most hundreds in both Test and ODI matches; the only player to have 100 centuries
Most matches in a career in both Test and ODI matches
The first double centurion in ODI Cricket
Most player-of-the-match awards (76) - combined
Most fifties in a career (264) - combined
Most fours in career (4076+) - combined
Records

Well, these are his known and top records. You can view the full list via the above link. So, let's see why he becomes the GOAT, and in India God of Cricket.

Longevity, Consistency, and skills

Well, his career spanned 24 years from 1989-2013. That's just unbelievable. He started as a 16-year-old teenager and played until 40-year man. He played in different eras of Cricket and adapted to them nicely. At the start, he was up against the deadliest fast ballers like Wasim Akram, Ambrose, Curtley Walsh, McGrath, Akhtar, etc., and wizard spinners Shane Warne, Muralitharan, and many more. He not only survived against them, but scored runs.

Playing 200-Test matches and 463 ODI matches is just amazing. He was equally good in both the formats. In a country like India, where players are blooming like mushrooms, it takes a special talent to stay this long.

On the other hand, he was technically pure and complete. His stance, technique, footwork, shot selection, everything was so pleasing to the eyes, and just perfect. That's why he was a headache to the ballers.

In 2004, he scored 241 runs* against Australia in Sydney without a single cover drive, basically scoring from onside. After being dismissed several times in the same way, he did that. It shows his discipline and maturity in shot selection.

Equally good both away and at home

Well, normally, the real talent of a batter is tested when he performs outside his own country. Especially for an Asian batter, the real challenge will be playing in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country.

In Test Cricket

Venue	Matches	Innings	Runs	High Score	Average	100s	50s
Home	94	153	7,216	217	52.67	22	32
Away	106	176	8,705	248*	54.74	29	36

In Test Cricket, he was equally great away and at home. In fact, he was slightly better in away matches. It's not everyone's cup of coffee to perform like that.

Country	Matches	Innings	Runs	High Score	Average	100s	50s
in Australia	20	38	1,809	241*	53.20	6	7
in England	17	30	1,575	193	54.31	4	8
in New Zealand	11	18	842	160	49.52	2	5
in South Africa	15	28	1,161	169	46.44	5	3

The above table shows his Test Cricket performance in SENA countries. Nothing to say. It's higher than the home average of many players. His first 4 centuries came in England, Australia, and South Africa. His first century was against England at Old Trafford at the age of 17. After 35 years, Gill became the second Indian to score a hundred in that venue.

In ODI Cricket

Venue	Matches	Runs	HS	Avg	Balls Faced	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
Home	164	6,976	200*	48.11	7,892	88.39	20	38	811	71
Away	147	5,065	163*	37.24	6,197	81.73	12	24	557	40
Neutral	152	6,385	152	49.11	7,279	87.71	17	34	648	84

In ODI, he has a bit less in away matches, but still it's far better than most batsmen's home average.

Equally good against every opponent

The image below shows his Test record against every opponent. He has performed well against every opponent. In ODI also it's the same for him. He is not an underdog bully.

ESPNcricinfo has a nice overview of his stats. You can clearly show the comparison and performance against every country, and in every country, and many more.