A statistical comparison between the two legends:

Sachin Tendulkar Brian Lara
Tests – Batting
Matches 137
Innings 220
Not out 23
Runs 10922
Balls Faced
 N/A
Highest 248*
Average 55.44
100s 37
50s 43
4s N/A
6s 42
Catches 89
Strike rate N/A
Matches 131
Innings 232
Not out 6
Runs 11953
Balls Faced
 19753
Highest 400*
Average 52.88
100s 34
50s 48
4s 1559
6s 88
Catches 164
Strike rate 60.51

A couple of interesting observations here. Although Sachin has played more matches than Lara, he has played lesser innings than the West Indian. With almost a 1000 runs behind Lara, Tendulkar, at his current average, would still be about 500-600 runs behind if he plays the same number of innings. Tendulkar’s average is higher than Lara’s because of his greater number of not-outs. But the biggest fact is that Brian Lara’s highest total of 400 is 152 runs more than Tendulkar’s 248. And to top it off, Sachin Tendulkar has yet to score in excess of 300 runs. In fact only one Indian has ever crossed that barrier and he goes by the name of Virender Sehwag.

Lara’s flamboyance also comes into view with the number of sixes that he has scored. Twice more than Tendulkar’s. So for all those who believe that Sachin is more aggressive than Lara, then can just keep their mouths shut for now. The number of centuries is also not a big difference between these two, and had Lara player more matches, especially the recent series against England, he could have scored a couple more.

So, all in all, the two men are different and yet not that different from each other. Both have their own brand of cricket. Both of them prove that, in cricket, size does not matter. And both of these lads have produced some of the most scintillating cricket ever. Cricket has already been a lot poorer since Lara retired. One wonders how much of a loss will the game suffer when Tendulkar hangs his boots. In the end, though, the game has been a whole lot exciting with these two around, and there are already rumors/reports that Lara may actually return back from his retirement.

Click here for the ODI stats analysis of these two legends.

Photos and stats courtesy Cricinfo.com

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