Lara vs tendulkar

Lara vs Sachin

Statistics: Tendulkar scored 15,291 runs in 200 tests at an average of 53.78 with 51 hundred and 68 fifties. The highest score by Sachin is 248*.

Lara scored 11,953 runs in 131 tests at an average of 52.88 with 34 hundred and 48 fifties with the highest score of 400*. Although their batting average is similar, the longevity of Tendulkar makes his test statistics more prolific than Lara.

Ability to stay at the crease: Lara scored 7 double centuries and 3 triple centuries while Tendulkar scored 6 double centuries. Lara scored them in 70 tests lesser than Tendulkar which means Lara had the knack of playing longer innings and could convert big innings into bigger innings. Had Lara played more tests, he could have scored more double and triple centuries.

Bowler and Fielder: As a fielder, Tendulkar took 115 catches while Lara took 164 catches and from what I have seen, Lara was a better athlete, a better fielder, and a great catcher. Tendulkar was a part-time bowler which Lara was not and Tendulkar won few matches for India with his bowling. So Tendulkar gets an edge over Lara in this measure.

Team support and match-winning ability: Tendulkar scored 15.76% of team's run scored while Lara's tally stands at 20.33%. While Tendulkar was supported by the likes of Ganguly, Azhar, Dravid, Sehwag, and Laxman for the most part of his cricketing career, there were only a few world-class batsmen like Chanderpaul and Hooper to aid Lara during his batting career. Lara handled the pressure of scoring runs for his team better than Tendulkar and was more of a match winner. “Lara won more games for his team than Sachin probably has. I'd lose more sleep as captain knowing Lara was coming into bat next day than I would with Sachin” Ponting exclaims.

Technical Expertise: In terms of technique, Tendulkar had a copy-book stance and could play shots anywhere and anytime. He could play spin and pace with equal ease and was the most rounded batsman I have known. Lara, on the other hand, was a left-handed batsman who had high backlift, liked to shuffle a bit at the crease and adjust his shots at the last-minute. To me, Sachin had a mildly better technique and hence difficult to bowl as compared to Lara. Pressure Handling Ability: The ability to bat steadfast under pressure was the hallmark of Lara. He could play for two days at a stretch when he was on song. I think Tendulkar could not play longer innings when it came to tough-match situations. Lara could also play with a number 10 batsmen and score a century which I think, Tendulkar lacked.