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Kevin Pietersen vs VVS Laxman

Who was the better test batsman?


  • Total voters
    42

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
And TIL some in CW are surprised that subzi uses opposite positions of the same point to discredit Laxman in one comparison and Dravid in another. :laugh:
 

BazBall21

International Captain
Right. I've done Laxman. Will do Kevin at some point tomorrow.

The average India score when VVS Laxman entered the crease during his test career = 116.

Will also compare their returns in tests where the team hadn't reached 100 when they arrived.
 

Kraken

State Captain
if you put KP into Laxman's position at Eden Gardens, he doesn't get close to playing an innings like that (substituted for his home conditions as well to make the comparison fairer)
 

Bolo.

International Captain
KP average batting position 4.17
VVS average batting position 3.65

oh actually VVS wins there too
You can't do this by simple averages. Batting 6 is arguably not easier than 5 (depends on how much batting there is above and below, and batting style), and batting lower will get harder. Batting at 2+6+6 is going to be a fair bit tougher than 4+5+5 despite the same average position. Completely hypothetical batting positions of course. I see no bearing on the guys we are discussing whatsoever.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
if you put KP into Laxman's position at Eden Gardens, he doesn't get close to playing an innings like that (substituted for his home conditions as well to make the comparison fairer)
If that is the criteria, Laxman is better than Tendulkar then.

Would like to see Laxman try to bully Steyn as KP did in 2012.
 

Kraken

State Captain
If that is the criteria, Laxman is better than Tendulkar then.

Would like to see Laxman try to bully Steyn as KP did in 2012.
haha just because Tendulkar didn't play an innings like that doesn't mean he wasn't capable of it. I think he was, where I really believe KP couldn't. In saying that, it's my opinion
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
haha just because Tendulkar didn't play an innings like that doesn't mean he wasn't capable of it. I think he was, where I really believe KP couldn't. In saying that, it's my opinion
I mean, Tendulkar had 200 tests, so if he was capable, why didn't he approach an innings like that even once? And I love Sachin, but great innings and series were not his thing.

KP is more capable of that sort of magic than Sachin to me.
 

Kraken

State Captain
I mean, Tendulkar had 200 tests, so if he was capable, why didn't he approach an innings like that even once? And I love Sachin, but great innings and series were not his thing.

KP is more capable of that sort of magic than Sachin to me.
Which is fair enough - but Sachin is irrelevant in this discussion between VVS and KP. In one of the qualifiers that I have used, VVS undoubtedly beats KP. In ones that you have KP wins. It's the beauty of opinions
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Which is fair enough - but Sachin is irrelevant in this discussion between VVS and KP. In one of the qualifiers that I have used, VVS undoubtedly beats KP. In ones that you have KP wins. It's the beauty of opinions
Indeed. I think it should be much closer at least in the poll.

However, on this 'great innings' question, I don't think it is a distinguishing issue since KP has quite an impressive list of standouts that arguably stack up well with Laxman outside his ATG knock. KP was one of those few like Viv who I would back to score runs against anyone, anywhere no matter the quality of bowling or difficulty of conditions. Consistency though was his issue.

I did make this point between Kallis and Dravid though since I argued the former has virtually no standout innings compared to several for the latter.
 
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honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
Sachin's 98 destruction of Australia is very much on par with KP's destruction of Steyn in 2012 (which was only 2 tests, IIRC).

And Sachin's 1992 Perth knock is better than almost anything KP has done.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Sachin's 98 destruction of Australia is very much on par with KP's destruction of Steyn in 2012 (which was only 2 tests, IIRC).

And Sachin's 1992 Perth knock is better than almost anything KP has done.
His 136 is also up there. I didn't want to suggest that Tendulkar didn't have great knocks at all.
 

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