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Sachin Tendulkar vs Garry Sobers

Who was the greater test batsman?


  • Total voters
    52

Slifer

International Captain
Yeah but Sobers did all that while at times being asked to open the attack which takes a toll. And he didn't have any of the modern comforts in the way of bats, helmets etc.
 

anil1405

International Captain
Yeah but Sobers did all that while at times being asked to open the attack which takes a toll. And he didn't have any of the modern comforts in the way of bats, helmets etc.
Apart from playing double the number of tests Sachin also played 463 games in another format. To sustain that form for so long is pretty impressive.

It comes down to minute details when these two are so close and both arguments are justified.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Yeah but Sobers did all that while at times being asked to open the attack which takes a toll. And he didn't have any of the modern comforts in the way of bats, helmets etc.
I think Tendulkar playing a different format and Sobers bowling can be counted as side factors which makes their individual efforts more impressive.

However, in a direct comparison, playing nearly twice as many tests while maintaining a 60 or around average over the same period is a much more difficult task.
 
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smash84

The Tiger King
Statchin today, Sobers tomorrow. It's tough to choose. Both have a valid stake as best since Bradman. Interestingly, Richie Benaud, who had the chance to watch both of them chose Tendulkar over Sobers.
 

Patience and Accuracy+Gut

State Vice-Captain
We are not talking about Bradman here.

I think Sobers, Viv and Sachin all have very strong cases to be the best since Bradman and we should acknowledge it is close between them.
Steve Smith as well.Only the 3rd batsman in history of test cricket after Hobbs and Bradman that anyone has stood head and shoulders above everyone.
 

Coronis

International Coach
Yeah but Tendulkar played twice as many tests in that time so it's a much bigger sample size. So it doesn't seem a fair comparison.
This is why modern batsmen > past batsmen. They get to play more tests so they’re naturally better.
 

mr_mister

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Sachin never having that 3 ton or 500 run series... Was a good(well, great I guess) support player rather than a leading man. Never stole the show

Steve Buscemi to Sobers' Tom Cruise
 

a massive zebra

International Captain
Tendulkar is more of an exception in playing 200 tests. Even modern batsmen will max out at 150/160 tests
But one could argue, in the last 30 or so Tests of Tendulkar's career, he exploited his god like status to selfishly play on when he was past it and not worth his place in the team. In his last 23 Tests, Tendulkar made 1,229 runs @ 32.34 with 0 centuries. So he was essentially wasting a valuable batting spot which could have been filled by a younger talent who probably would have done better and possibly developed his career more quickly. If we look at the actual reasons why Tendulkar played 200 Tests, its hardly worthy of praise.
 
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subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
But one could argue the last 30 or so Tests of Tendulkar's career, he exploited his god like status to selfishly play on when he was past it and not worth his place in the team. In his last 23 Tests, Tendulkar made 1,229 runs @ 32.34 with 0 centuries. So he was essentially taking up a valuable batting spot which could have been filled by a younger talent who probably would have done better. Hardly something worth praise.
Yeah but its not like you know from the beginning that you are in decline, nor is he the only one to decline at the end. Viv had the same issue.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Sachin never having that 3 ton or 500 run series... Was a good(well, great I guess) support player rather than a leading man. Never stole the show

Steve Buscemi to Sobers' Tom Cruise
I wouldn't go that far. I remember his series against Australia in 98 when he butchered Warne, and then the series in Australia when in 2007-8 when he was the star throughout the series. Ended up just under 500 runs. Even his series in SA in 2011 was exceptional. I would rate those ahead of Dravid's runathons in England in 2002 and Australia in 2004.

Having standout series is important but the 500 runs thing is a bit arbitrary.
 

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