Cricket has changed a lot over its long history with new formats, rule changes, and technology. This makes it tough to compare players from different eras.
Today, T20 cricket has attracted many top players, offering new chances that weren’t available before. However, some great players never played in a 50-over World Cup, and Test cricket has become less important in some countries.
Data helps in evaluating cricketers, but without video evidence from the past, comparing legends like AB De Villiers and W.G. Grace remains challenging.
Let’s explore who the best cricketers are today.
1. Sir Don Bradman
Sir Don Bradman was so skilled that England used the controversial Bodyline tactics to stop him from scoring. Leading ‘The Invincibles’ after World War II, he ended his Test career with just one run, finishing with an average of 99.94, making him the greatest cricketer ever.
Richards was known for his powerful batting, Tendulkar for his perfect technique, and Bradman had a unique style. Over time, his play changed from aggressive to more defensive.
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2. Sachin Tendulkar
From the age of 15, Sachin Tendulkar became more than just a cricketer in India. As the leading scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, he’s celebrated as a legend and considered one of the greatest cricketers ever.
His nearly perfect play has made him shine worldwide. His famous straight drive, which flies over the bowler’s head, is as iconic as Ricky Ponting’s pull shot or Ian Bell’s cover drive.
3. Sir Garfield Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers is widely regarded as the greatest all-round cricketer ever. He was a powerful and graceful batsman, a versatile bowler, and an excellent fielder.
Over a 20-year Test career, he scored 8,032 runs at an average of over 57, hit 26 centuries, made a highest score of 365 not out, and took 235 wickets with both spin and seam. Even though white-ball cricket became popular late in his career, he would have excelled in those formats too.
4. Shane Warne
Given that Shane Warne has 92 fewer Test wickets and 241 fewer ODI wickets than Muralitharan, putting him in a top position might be debatable. However, Warne was better at batting and fielding than Muralitharan. His intense drive and passion for key moments set him apart from other bowlers. In a tight game, Warne is the player you’d want on your side.
5. Viv Richards
Viv Richards was a key player for the strong West Indies teams. He scored an average of 50 runs per Test match and 47 in One Day Internationals. But his influence went beyond just runs; he was a powerful hitter who amazed opponents with his shots.
Richards had a unique ability to hit the ball perfectly, making difficult shots look easy. His fearless style of batting was ahead of his time, earning him praise from great players like Bob Willis, Brian Lara, and Dennis Lillee, who called him the greatest batsman they’ve seen.
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