Know About Who Is The God Of Cricket?
Cricket is more than just a sport in India; it has a profound cultural significance. With a deep-rooted history, India adopted cricket from its colonizers and mastered it. As the Indian national cricket team sought its next icon after legends like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, a young, curly-haired player emerged. This player, possessing immense passion and talent, became known as the God of Cricket. While many legendary players have graced the sport, only one has earned the title: Sachin Tendulkar.
What makes Sachin Tendulkar known as the God of Cricket?
Achieving legendary status in cricket requires exceptional talent and dedication, but being called the God of Cricket is a distinction that Sachin Tendulkar has earned through unparalleled accomplishments. His cricket journey began at 14 when he represented Bombay in the Ranji Trophy in 1987. His exceptional performance led him to become the first overseas player to represent Yorkshire in 1992. Tendulkar's career trajectory has been marked by continuous success and numerous records, earning him the title of the God of Cricket.
Cricket Records of Sachin Tendulkar
Batting Statistics:
- Test: 200 matches, 329 innings, 15,921 runs, 53.79 average
- ODI: 463 matches, 452 innings, 18,426 runs, 86.24 average
- IPL: 78 matches, 78 innings, 2,334 runs, 119.82 average
Bowling Statistics:
- Test: 200 matches, 145 innings, 46 wickets, 3.53 economy
- ODI: 463 matches, 270 innings, 154 wickets, 5.1 economy
These statistics highlight Tendulkar's excellence on the field. Some of his remarkable records include the highest number of Test centuries (51), the leading run-scorer in Test matches, and numerous ODI records such as the highest number of centuries (49) and half-centuries (96). Tendulkar's achievements have solidified his status as the God of Cricket.
Origin of the Term "God of Cricket"
The title "God of Cricket" has been bestowed upon Sachin Tendulkar by his fans, reflecting their admiration for his extraordinary achievements. Although there is no definitive origin for the term, it is believed to have been popularized by an Indian fan's banner stating, "If cricket is our religion, then Sachin is our God." Some also attribute the term to former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden.
Famous Quotes on Sachin Tendulkar
Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar has received numerous accolades from cricket legends and notable figures:
- "I saw him (Tendulkar) playing on television and was struck by his technique... I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play." — Sir Donald Bradman
- "The only batsman I would love to see by paying for the tickets and sitting in the stand just to watch him is none other than Sachin Tendulkar." — Brian Lara
- "I have seen God, he bats at no. 4 for India." — Matthew Hayden
- "Nothing bad can happen to us if we're on a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on it." — Hashim Amla
- "I don’t know cricket, I don’t know how Sachin plays. But I still try to watch him play because I want to know why my country’s economy goes down 0.5% when he’s batting." — Barack Obama
- "If I’ve to bowl to Sachin, I’ll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard." — Dennis Lillee
- "When you bowl at him (Tendulkar) you are not just trying to get him out, you are trying to impress him." — Andrew Flintoff
Who currently holds the title of the God of Cricket and why?
Since Tendulkar's retirement, there has been much debate over who could be the new God of Cricket. Among the contenders, Virat Kohli stands out due to his impressive statistics, consistent performance, and numerous records. Kohli, who idolizes Tendulkar, has scored 43 centuries in ODIs and 27 in Test matches. He is the only player with an average of 50+ in all three formats and is ranked highly in the ICC rankings. Kohli's achievements have earned him the title of the current God of Cricket.
Other notable mentions include Rohit Sharma, often referred to as the God of T20 Cricket, and Sunil Gavaskar, considered one of the top cricket legends. As cricket continues to evolve, these players carry forward the legacy of excellence established by Sachin Tendulkar.