India have produced two of the greatest batsmen in history in Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar.

Both of them represented Mumbai in first class cricket. Both did not score a century on debut. Both scored the maximum number of runs and centuries by a Test batsman during their respective times. In terms of technique, both were impeccable and adjusted themselves according to the situation. Both lacked the training to take on the best of bowlers during their formative years, yet their talent took care of all the deficiencies.

Neither made good captains. Gavaskar was very poor at risk taking, Tendulkar micromanaged everything. Gavaskar thrived against the mighty West Indies. Tendulkar thrived against the mighty Australians. Both targeted the best teams for their best performances.

'With Sachin, sometimes I wonder if he plays for the team or just enjoys himself in the middle'


Gavaskar was predominantly an opening batsman. He faced the fiercest of fast bowlers in history, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Jeff Thomson, Dennis Lillee, Imran Khan and Malcolm Marshall. Today, only Brett Lee even comes close to those legendary quickies. Gavaskar almost never failed to get a good start and relished playing the fast bowlers. And remember, he played during the days before helmets.

Tendulkar is predominantly a middle-order batsman. Genuine pace bowlers could get him. He did face the likes of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. But Gavaskar was a hard nut to crack in this regard. Tendulkar takes risks probably because of the influence of limited overs cricket. During Gavaskar's tenure, one day cricket had just started and he did not adjust to it immediately. He was an out and out Test batsman (his 36 not out in 60 overs in the first World Cup testifies to this). One-day cricket had become part of the routine by the time Tendulkar arrived and he is a record holder in that format of the game, whereas Sunny was almost a non-entity in it.

Tendulkar is predominantly a first-innings batsman in Tests. He has a very poor average in the second innings. He has never won the match for India or saved the team by batting in the second innings. Under pressure, Gavaskar could be counted upon whereas Tendulkar has mostly failed. Gavaskar has a pretty even record in both innings and scored a century in each innings of a Test on three occasions (Tendulkar is yet to score centuries in both innings of a Test). And second innings knocks from Sunny brought victories for India at Port of Spain (a world record then) and a near win against England at the Oval. And he fought all the way to the end, even when his team lost the game.

The swinging ball troubled Gavaskar a lot. I guess this is because he faced the new ball most of the time, being an opening batsman. Tendulkar plays the swinging ball better being a middle order batsman. There were better swing bowlers in Gavaskar's day, including Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Ian Botham, Chris Old and John Lever.

I somehow used to feel 'safe' when Gavaskar batted in Tests. One could guarantee that he would hang in there and fight till the end. Sunny seldom had good supporting batsmen around him who were technically as competent except for GR Viswanath. Tendulkar has been surrounded by talented players in VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. Tendulkar is also privileged to play in a team that has a much better bowling attack that could win matches. Sunny sailed the rough seas more in Test cricket.

And while Tendulkar has kept himself clear of controversy, Gavaskar got stuck in to it (the Lillee incident at Melbourne was the highlight). He even clashed with Bishan Bedi and Kapil Dev. Sunny was more like a dictator when he was on top choosing who played in his team.

If I have to choose between the two I would go with Sunny in Tests. If he were playing now, I can bet India would have won or drawn the Melbourne Test, and won at Sydney comfortably against this Aussie team. His sheer presence would have been good enough to carry the team towards the goal. He also would have stood his ground at Perth and Adelaide. Ricky Ponting would be choking his own neck if Sunny was in the middle.

Although Sunny was cautious, he never gave the impression of being nervous like Dravid. With Sachin, sometimes I wonder if he plays for the team or just enjoys himself in the middle. In terms of records, Sunny's presence resulted in more wins and saving games. Tendulkar's failure in crucial stages is relevant here. In the 1999 Test against Pakistan at Kolkatta the yorker from Shoaib Akhtar that got rid off Sachin for a duck was a crucial blow. Contrast this to Sunny's 97 not out at Bangalore in his last Test match.

Tendulkar has been the entertainer while Sunny was the foundation of India's batting line-up. But the reality is that both have brought India respect and admiration and their contribution to Indian cricket is immense.