Viv Richards vs Sunil Gavaskar

[kyear2]

Imran, Lillee, Akram, Thommo, Botham, Willis, Holding all considered Richard the undisputed supreme and waxed lyrical to great extents about him(Lillee called him the Supreme player, Botham and Willis were unwilling to believe that Bradman was better than Viv, Holding considers Viv even better than Lara and Sachin, same for Imran, Akram also rated him the best etc)

Yes, some still believe that this man is somehow a "distinct level" below Tendulkar and Hobbs.

 

[kyear2]

Yes. I said that by the end of 2022 he would be no.2 if he kept his scoring up and many here agreed. He didn't though and has had a dip so I rate him no.6 after Bradman, Sachin, Hobbs, Sobers and Viv. However, many here have downgraded him far too much.

I used to bash Smiths home record as inflated and he has relatively less exposure to ATG pacers (still believe that) but still believe that being the top bat of this era and near flawless record gives him the top tier secured.

Smith is a notch above Lara, etc and the rest.

Again, based on?

 

[Bolo.]

There's no way that Asif was lying as he was a completely honest cricketer.

Let's not forget his stellar record of exercising good judgement.

 

[Swamp Witch Hattie]

Let's not forget his stellar record of exercising good judgement.

Apart from the odd indiscretion, his behaviour has been impeccable and above reproach:

from https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mohammad-asif-41411:



You can see how honest he is by how he admitted in August 2013 to spot-fixing. He came good in the end just like that other paragon of virtue, Lance Armstrong.

 

[subshakerz]

Again, based on?

Better peer rating, no major technical weakness, all round superior record especially away.

 

[subshakerz]

There's no way that Asif was lying as he was a completely honest cricketer.

Yeah but why would he like about.skmething like this? Sheesh.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Better peer rating, no major technical weakness, all round superior record especially away.

Conduct a vote on Smith and Kohli and Kohli will likely come out at top in the larger cricket fraternity. Even among experts. I remember hearing about a talk show with Botham and 3 such famous ex-cricketers. They ranked the fab 4, and not even a single one of them ranked Smith at top.

 

[ankitj]

The **** would Kohli know?

He knows #intent

 

[DrWolverine]

Conduct a vote on Smith and Kohli and Kohli will likely come out at top in the larger cricket fraternity. Even among experts. I remember hearing about a talk show with Botham and 3 such famous ex-cricketers. They ranked the fab 4, and not even a single one of them ranked Smith at top.

Smith’s batting style is not visually pleasing.

Maybe they considered all formats while speaking

 

[capt_Luffy]

Smith’s batting style is not visually pleasing.

Maybe they considered all formats while speaking

Maybe. Still can't grasp Root or Williamson above Smith considering both formats even equally.

 

[Coronis]

Conduct a vote on Smith and Kohli and Kohli will likely come out at top in the larger cricket fraternity. Even among experts. I remember hearing about a talk show with Botham and 3 such famous ex-cricketers. They ranked the fab 4, and not even a single one of them ranked Smith at top.

When?

 

[Prince EWS]

He has also called Gavaskar his most prized wicket.

Probably because India.

 

[subshakerz]

Conduct a vote on Smith and Kohli and Kohli will likely come out at top in the larger cricket fraternity. Even among experts. I remember hearing about a talk show with Botham and 3 such famous ex-cricketers. They ranked the fab 4, and not even a single one of them ranked Smith at top.

I don't think that is true among the actual current players in terms of ranking Kohli over Smith.

I remember around Ashes 2019 and they were talking about him as next after Bradman.

 

[DrWolverine]

In Tests : Smith > Kohli

In ODIs : Kohli > Smith

 

[centurymaker]

Some people look at "overall batsmanship" to determine the better batsman, not just purely batting numbers and that too just in tests.

 

[shortpitched713]

The following have been named by fellow players (and an umpire) as the best batsman they have seen. Since 1945 only. Additional names/nominators welcome.

Weekes: Sobers

All I needed to read.

 

[kyear2]

All I needed to read.