Who is that???

The game of cricket has become more of a batsman oriented one, it is not because of lack of bowlers; It is because of the administrators, the supporters and obviously mind-boggling batsmen. The 90s and early 2000s has seen batsmen like Sachin, Lara, Ponting, Waugh, Inzamam, Kallis etc. But now the most debated topic is who is best Sachin or Lara, Ponting does not come into the league coz he has not played much cricket like these two and one more reason which makes it easy for Ponting to score is he does not have to face the most terrorizing attack in today's world Cricket.

Now for Lara and Tendulkar, who among them is the best? Me being just software professional and a scribbler (Don't think am good enough to be called a writer ;-)). I can't give a verdict on this but I seriously can make a study about these two greats to find the greatest of the greats. I am not going to restrict myself to batting lets see what these two legends are made up of.

Brian Charles Lara, the prince-of-port-of-Spain started with cricket at an early age of 6. After playing fist class cricket a Youth world ups he made his debut against Pakistan at the age of 21. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the Little Master started his cricket at an age of eleven but his persistence and sheer brilliance brought him into the national squad at the age of 16.

Both Lara and Sachin have had their shares of great moments, injuries, victories, bad patches and losses. Though Sachin is the longest serving in international player, Lara is just a year behind him. Both these players average more than 50 (55 and 53 respectively) in Tests. Having played more than 125 matches, Lara has 34 centuries to his name compared to Sachin's 35.

If we look at how their careers have progressed Sachin had a solid start and was in an awesome form between his 51st to 100th tests. The progress has been deterred by injuries after that and the tests 126-132, is not a record the master might want to look at. Whereas Lara's was a good start followed by some dip in form but after his 75th test Lara's charts are just showing a rise. Lara his 34 centuries to his credit out of which 9 are over 200. He has been known for his ability to play long innings and has also been time and again accused selfish for the same. Sachin does not have these many doubles centuries to his credit. Lara made his first double in his 5th match but Sachin's came very late in his career. If a batsman is to be adjudged as the greatest only by the amount of huge scores made then Lara wins it hands down. But will just huge scores help us win matches. Nopes most of them just end in a draw.

Test matches are all about innings and if we compare them both based on their various innings averages, they play equally well in the 1st match innings, Lara plays it better in second match innings, Sachin is way ahead in 3rd match innings and better by a whisker in 4th. If the second innings which team plays is more important then Sachin is a better player (I am saying this coz time and again I have read arguments as Sachin does not play well in the second innings of his team). Also Lara has been a part of a losing team in 62 tests when compared to Sachin's 37, this is given the fact that Indian team is accused of being big time losses. Sachin holds averages over 50 in tests played at home and away, whereas Lara's away test average is much below his home average and Sachin's away average.

Okie now if people ask me, is it just averages which define a batsman's greatness. The answer is big NO. In today's cricketing world a batsman can be called great for his runs (of course), skills, technique and his contribution to team's cause. This just need not be winning but it could also be saving from a loss. Both of these have amassed a lot of runs, their skill talent and techniques are time-tested. Their contribution to team's cause, well the stats suggests Lara has been a part of a team which has won 32 tests and drawn 35 (61 & 68 averages) compared to Sachin's 41 (64 & 72). Sachin can also help by bowling.

With one day's ruling the contemporary era of cricket lets look their performances here too, before we can think of a conclusion. Sachin has played more ODIs than Lara (nearly a 100). He has 14,479 runs and 142 wkts to his credit against 9948 runs and 4 wkts of Lara's.

Sachin has 40 centuries to his name out of which 15 are at home. Out of Lara's 19, 6 are at home. 1993 was the only year when Lara scored more than 1000 runs in a year where as Sachin has done it in 1994,1996,1997,1998,2000,2003. Though Lara has lost 134 out of his 283 matches (165 out of 371 for Sachin) he has better comparative average in the matches won for his team and in matches won while chasing.

But when it comes to the biggest of all, the world cup, Lara's figures stand way below Sachin's. Even after being accused of unable to deliver in finals time and again, Sachin seems to have performed better than Lara there. It can also be noted that Sachin has played about 36 finals compared to Lara's 19. Is this criterion to question the ability of the prince to bring his team to finals? With the recognition part of Match, Sachin holds the world record with 52 awards to Lara's 30.In this entire span of career Sachin has been captain and played under various captains but his name has not been a part of a lot of controversies whereas Lara has had his date with it all.

Now all these are just numbers though they are huge, both these are master craftsmen, both their team struggles when they lose they get out but I should say Sachin has had more pressure on his shoulders. Tendulkar has been burdened with the traditional comparison with Bradman — an analogy made by the "The Knight" himself, who likened the diminutive Indian to himself in his younger days and he ahs carried the hopes of the Indian Crowd, the most emotional of the Cricketing crowds.

Now let us think of a conclusion (difficult part) who amongst these two will use call as the greatest batsmen, If it is ODIs Sachin wins it heads up, if it is tests there is a stiff competition but can still be called as 60-40 to Lara due to the sheer amount of runs and massive sores. If the argument is taken for the greatest cricketer then Lara doesn't stand anywhere near Sachin because Sachin is an all-rounder (At least when compared to Lara), a team man and the best cricketing personality around. (This is the Sophi touch :-))