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Sachin Tendulkar vs Garry Sobers

Who was the greater test batsman?

  • Total voters
    52
S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Tendulkar:

- Prodigy and centuries away from home as a teen
- Better tested over conditions and high class bowlers
- Maintained consistency across a very long career, reaching no.1 in one peak and then again in another peak a decade later
- Near flawless technique combined with a high level of nous to adapt his game
 
Slifer

Slifer

International Captain
Gary Sobers. Reached heights Sachin could only dream of. Curiously, the only real flaw was an abysmal record vs NZ (like wtf). Had he even held par and averaged say 40+ vs them, his overall average would've been 60+. As it was, he averaged 60+ up until his 82nd of 93 tests. Played for a similar number of years (not tests) and started at a similar age. All this while bowling 3 styles, batting all over the batting order and fielding everywhere.
 
S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Slifer said:
Gary Sobers. Reached heights Sachin could only dream of. Curiously, the only real flaw was an abysmal record vs NZ (like wtf). Had he even held par and averaged say 40+ vs them, his overall average would've been 60+. As it was, he averaged 60+ up until his 82nd of 93 tests. Played for a similar number of years (not tests) and started at a similar age. All this while bowling 3 styles, batting all over the batting order and fielding everywhere.
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I mean, Tendulkar had a ten year period of 85 tests between 93 to 2002 in which he averaged over 60. So saying that he couldnt reach the same heights is a stretch.

The difference is that outside of that peak, Tendulkar had periods in which he was starting out, or lean spells, and then another peak, and a decline at the end. So the question is how to value that in the overall equation. For me, I am willing to let the lesser periods slide given that he played 200 tests, which is an achievement in itself, and still maintained an exceptionally high standard in most of those tests.

The thing is that Sobers had his total tests stretched over 20 years while Tendulkar played more than double that number over that period.
 
Slifer

Slifer

International Captain
subshakerz said:
I mean, Tendulkar had a ten year period of 85 tests between 93 to 2002 in which he averaged over 60. So saying that he couldnt reach the same heights is a stretch.

The difference is that outside of that peak, Tendulkar had periods in which he was starting out, or lean spells, and then another peak, and a decline at the end. So the question is how to value that in the overall equation. For me, I am willing to let the lesser periods slide given that he played 200 tests, which is an achievement in itself, and still maintained an exceptionally high standard in most of those tests.

The thing is that Sobers had his total tests stretched over 20 years while Tendulkar played more than double that number over that period.
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Heights as in several monster series of 700 + runs . Heights as in hitting 900 + on the batting rankings. Sobers started out lean as well, he was picked as a spinner and batted down the order. Once he hit that 365* vs Pakistan there was no looking back. And ten years averaging 60 or whatever is not the same as averaging 60+ for almost 90% of his career. And you're conveniently ignoring Sachin's early lean beginnings. I'm including Sobers' early years and all. FWIW Sobers' average got as high as 63.8 after about 60 odd tests and 14 years of cricket even including the early lean years.

And this isn't a case like Lara. Sobers conquered all types of bowling: pace, spin and did so batting with a match stick for a bat with not so much as a cap on his head. Gary also excelled in the toughest league on earth ie shield cricket in Australia.

The only thing Sachin has over sir Gary is longevity in terms of tests played and a more complete record. But in terms of sheer batsmanship there are few I'd rank above sir Gary and Sachin is not one of them.
 
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ZK$

ZK$

U19 Cricketer
Over an 18 year/157 test stretch from his 21st test till his 177th test, Tendulkar averaged about 60 with an away average of about 60 as well. During this period, he averaged about 45+ against every single team and also averaged about 45+ in every single nation.
 
S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Slifer said:
Heights as in several monster series of 700 + runs . Heights as in hitting 900 + on the batting rankings. Sobers started out lean as well, he was picked as a spinner and batted down the order. Once he hit that 365* vs Pakistan there was no looking back. And ten years averaging 60 or whatever is not the same as averaging 60+ for almost 90% of his career. And you're conveniently ignoring Sachin's early lean beginnings. I'm including Sobers' early years and all. FWIW Sobers' average got as high as 63.8 after about 60 odd tests and 14 years of cricket even including the early lean years.

And this isn't a case like Lara. Sobers conquered all types of bowling: pace, spin and did so batting with a match stick for a bat with not so much as a cap on his head. Gary also excelled in the toughest league on earth ie shield cricket in Australia.

The only thing Sachin has over sir Gary is longevity in terms of tests played and a more complete record. But in terms of sheer batsmanship there are few I'd rank above sir Gary and Sachin is not one of them.
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Yeah I think these are decent reasons to put Sobers ahead. Tendulkar definitely lacked monster series for one. I think Sobers' 254 against Lillee is the sort of innings I dont think any other batsman could play in cricket history.

It boils down to longevity/complete records vs. Sober's high peaks. I favor Tendulkar since I think that maintaining that kind of record for so many tests sets him apart from others.
 
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S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Days of Grace said:
Ok, if you want to use selective statz to argue for Tendulkar, let me just post that Sobers averaged 73 over a ten year stretch from 1958-1968.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...8;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting
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Which is more impressive, 50 tests averaging 70 plus or 150 tests averaging 60 plus?

Sobers definitely touched higher peaks than Tendulkar. The question is whether that can be offset by Tendulkar's sheer longevity and consistency.
 
Days of Grace

Days of Grace

International Captain
subshakerz said:
Which is more impressive, 50 tests averaging 70 plus or 150 tests averaging 60 plus?

Sobers definitely touched higher peaks than Tendulkar. The question is whether that can be offset by Tendulkar's sheer longevity and consistency.
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You left out that Sobers averaged 70 plus over 10 years.

Over how many years did Tendulkar average over 60?
 
Slifer

Slifer

International Captain
subshakerz said:
18 years.

Again, I don't mind those rating Sobers higher based on reaching those upper levels of Godlike form. As long as it is acknowledged that Tendulkar's longevity and well-roundedness is also unique in its own right.
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Tendulkar averaged over 60 for 18 years???
 
S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Days of Grace

Days of Grace

International Captain
subshakerz said:
18 years.

Again, I don't mind those rating Sobers higher based on reaching those upper levels of Godlike form. As long as it is acknowledged that Tendulkar's longevity and well-roundedness is also unique in its own right.
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I wouldn't call averaging over 73 for 10 years "form". 10 years is an entire career for a great deal of players.

But yes, I will acknowledge that if I had to choose between two batsmen, one who would average 73 for 10 years, and one who would average 59 for 18 years, then it would be a dilemma.
 
P

Patience and Accuracy+Gut

State Vice-Captain
Days of Grace said:
I wouldn't call averaging over 73 for 10 years "form". 10 years is an entire career for a great deal of players.

But yes, I will acknowledge that if I had to choose between two batsmen, one who would average 73 for 10 years, and one who would average 59 for 18 years, then it would be a dilemma.
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Sobers himself averaged 60+ for like 17-18 years.
 
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