Steve Smith vs Sachin Tendulkar

[PlayerComparisons]

Two best batsmen of the last 50 years. Who do you rate higher

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

?

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

The Little Master

 

[subshakerz]

As it stands, Tendulkar. Smith eventually unless he has a dramatic downturn.

 

[ataraxia]

As it stands, Tendulkar. Smith eventually unless he has a dramatic downturn.

Or retires.

 

[subshakerz]

Or retires.

Yes. Doesn't even have 100 tests yet. Think he should play another 20 more to be in secure territory.

 

[Daemon]

Tendulkar for now, but agree that Smith is probably within range. He could continue being decent like the last few years, have a decline or go back to a mad scoring spree. Really all up in the air atm.

 

[The_Bunny]

Basically impossible to Answer at the moment, really depends if Smith has a good last few years or does a Ponting.
Current trajectory he is on track to be Better than Tendulkar, but if he retires Tomorrow I think I would rate the Little Master in front.

Needs more time

 

[CricAddict]

Steve Smith has that addiction to batting that Sachin has got. Shadow practicing while fielding, always on the lookout to learn something new.. Haven't seen it in many other batsmen..

 

[Godard]

While Smiths 2014-17 peak is better than any peak Sachin had, the difference between Sachin and Smith’s longevity is more. That coupled with the fact Tendulkar was heads and shoulders the best batsmen of the 90s, one of the toughest eras to bat, and Smith despite his good record post 2018, has to prove himself for somewhat more in this era. So Smith doing well for another 20-25 tests will solve the longevity problem to an extent and the era one also.

 

[Daemon]

Tbf Tendulkar had a ridiculously long peak as well of like 8 years or something. Anyways this has been done to death a few times so meh.

 

[Godard]

Tbf Tendulkar had a ridiculously long peak as well of like 8 years or something. Anyways this has been done to death a few times so meh.

Yes, but Smiths peaks are better

 

[Slifer]

While Smiths 2014-17 peak is better than any peak Sachin had, the difference between Sachin and Smith’s longevity is more. That coupled with the fact Tendulkar was heads and shoulders the best batsmen of the 90s, one of the toughest eras to bat, and Smith despite his good record post 2018, has to prove himself for somewhat more in this era. So Smith doing well for another 20-25 tests will solve the longevity problem to an extent and the era one also.

Smith is head and shoulders the best batsman playing. And has been so for the better part of a decade

 

[Daemon]

Yes, but Smiths peaks are better

Yeah his 14-17 was pretty insane. Don't think Tendulkar had something like that, but he did have a longer period of success averaging 65 or something. Smith was further ahead of the competition in his peak than Tendulkar was though.

 

[honestbharani]

Not a fan of peak period ratings tbh. I have watched both of their careers pretty much in full (Smith's so far). Not a fan of comparing completed Vs in-progress careers either. But if Smith were to retire today, I would think Sachin still had the better career.

 

[Godard]

Smith is head and shoulders the best batsman playing. And has been so for the better part of a decade

We are only 5 years in the post 2018 era, whereas Tendulkar averaged 58 for the entire 90s. Let Smith do that for 20-25 more tests this era.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Smith isn't the best at the moment though is he? Hasn't been for over two years now. Root and Labu have both been better. Smith's averaged 46 in 28 Tests since the Ashes in Eng; still just a blip in the program?

 

[ankitj]

Surprised at one sided vote in favour of Tendulkar. In an earlier poll, Smith demolished Viv Richards. I don't think however that Tendulkar can demolish Viv Richards in one on one poll.

 

[Slifer]

Surprised at one sided vote in favour of Tendulkar. In an earlier poll, Smith demolished Viv Richards. I don't think however that Tendulkar can demolish Viv Richards in one on one poll.

Which is kinda odd. Because if you put Smith up against say Jacques Kallis, since longevity is Smith's only real issue, logically Kallis should win. But I'm willing to guess Smith would dominate in such a poll.

 

[subshakerz]

The only thing iffy about Smith is that I feel his technique and style of play has not been sufficiently tested against high quality pace bowling.

I think he will score against Murali and Kumble if he faced them.

But against Ambrose, Donald and Akram? Not so sure. Part of me thinks he would have struggled.

Yes, Smith scored a ton against an off-color Steyn early in his career. But not much else to go on.

Granted, Tendulkar never really dominated any ATG bowler but scored sufficiently well against them and never particularly struggled against them either.

Overall, Smith really overtakes Tendulkar in scoring against low-medium range bowling which Tendulkar never quite dominated to the same extent.