Tendulkar-The Greatest Ever ODI Batsman
Where does Sachin Tendulkar stand as an ODI batsman, when we compare him to the likes of the international giants like Viv Richards, Ricky Ponting, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, and Brian Lara? Or, for that matter, with our own Indian ODI legends like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?
ESPNCricinfo’s Stats expert Anantha Narayanan analyzed the careers of all the top ODI batsmen, in the light of various parameters like
1. Weighted Batting Average (adjusted)
2. Strike rate (adjusted)
3. Rating points
4. Average quality of bowling faced in career
5. Number of runs scored
6. Major cup-related achievements (World Cup, ICC trophies and six-nation tournaments)
7. Runs scored in important cup matches
8. X factors: MoM awards; opening the batting; finishing the innings; quality of batting support available; quality of bowling support available
Narayanan concludes that:
“However, there is no doubt when we peruse the final list. Tendulkar is the best ever ODI batsman. He is ahead of the next best batsman by over 10%. This indicates that irrespective of the parameters chosen, the weight allotted, the adjustments made to the two key parameters, and the way in which the tournament-related parameters are determined, Tendulkar will be in first place.
If he had played 50 matches fewer, scored 2000 runs fewer, and we lowered his WBA by one point, he would still be at the top. He tops the table on three of the main parameters – runs scored, cup runs, and X factor. He also tops in two minor parameters – MoMs and opening the batting. On the performance-related parameters, he is in the top quartile.”
Read the full article on ESPNCricinfo here.