Sports > Head 2 Head > Athletes > Bradman v Tendulkar

Bradman v Tendulkar Best Cricketer Battle

don bradman statue at Bowral There are always questions about who is a better between two cricketers, and extra difficult when they are from different eras as in this case. Here we compare two cricketers, the legend Don Bradman to a modern day legend, Sachin Tendulkar. The comparison is based on a number of factors, and summarizing these results we come up with the overall champion. The factors that are analyzed are: Physical, Physiological, Psychological, Skill and Popularity. You will have to read through to the end to see who is the ultimate winner.

Factors of Success Ratings

Before we compare these cricketers in the areas listed above, let's have a look at visitor ratings of sporting factors of success, as these results are partly used in the following analyses. At this stage the votes are only low so the results may change over time. The ratings are based on a number of factors, rated from poor to excellent by you the website visitor (see how the winners are calculated). To add your own rating, see the list for Bradman and Tendulkar, and for Cricket.

Factors of Success	Bradman	Tendulkar
Body Size and Composition Body size includes height, lengths and girths. Composition refers to the distribution of muscle and fat in the body.	59.0 59.0% (350)	59.0 59.0% (319)
Aerobic Endurance also known as cardiovascular fitness and stamina, is the ability to exercise continuously for extended periods without tiring	59.0 59.0% (350)	59.0 59.0% (319)
Strength & Power Strength is the ability to exert a maximal force, and Power is to do this in as short a time as possible, as in accelerating, jumping and throwing implements.	59.0 59.0% (360)	59.0 59.0% (299)
Speed / Quickness the ability to move quickly across the ground or move limbs rapidly to grab or throw	58.0 58.0% (352)	59.0 59.0% (303)
Flexibility the capacity of a joint to move through its full range of motion, which is important for execution of the techniques of sports	61.0 61.0% (358)	57.0 57.0% (298)
Agility the ability to quickly change body position or direction of the body	56.0 56.0% (352)	59.0 59.0% (301)
Balance & Coordination the ability to stay upright or stay in control of body movement is an important component of many sports skills	61.0 61.0% (360)	60.0 60.0% (303)
Reaction Time the ability to respond quickly to a stimulus	58.0 58.0% (350)	61.0 61.0% (306)
Analytic & Tactical Ability the ability of the mental system to evaluate and react to strategic situations (tactical ability)	60.0 60.0% (353)	63.0 63.0% (303)
Motivation & Self Confidence a motivated and focussed athlete, with a level of belief in themselves, often seen as arrogance in athletes	56.0 56.0% (348)	56.0 56.0% (299)
Coping with Pressure Situations the ability to stay focussed and perform up to expectations while under increasing pressure, and under changing conditions	60.0 60.0% (348)	63.0 63.0% (304)
Skill and Technique the specific skill set and technique required to be successful in a particular sport.	58.0 58.0% (354)	59.0 59.0% (298)

Physical Battle

In the ratings above, Bradman is rated higher for the factor Body Size and Composition, probably due to the fact that Sachin stands at just 5 ft 5 in (165cm), while Bradman was a couple of inches taller 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). Height only plays a small part in cricket, giving them a greater reach and a longer swing. Tendulkar's smaller stature may actually help him with greater balance and stability, a factor rated highly. Tendulkar weighs about 60kg, and I do not have body weight records for bradman, though both are/were not overweight. In a close call, I will give the Physical Battle to Bradman.

Physiological Battle

There are six physiological factors from the list above to consider in this battle - with visitor ratings they are currently they are tied at three apiece. Bradman would not have been involved in any fitness testing, and even Sachin may have been able to miss the fitness testing session if any have been held for the Indian cricket team. Either way, there are no results to compare. Bradman's fitness may have been limited by his smoking (a pipe I think), which was not uncommon for sports people at that time. The modern day player has greater knowledge of the benefits of being fitter, and there is more support with fitness trainers, so Tendulkar would be expected to be in better shape than Bradman. Tendulkar to win this battle.

Psychological Battle

In the ratings above, there are three psychological/mental factors: Reaction Time (brain processing), Motivation & Self Confidence and Coping with Pressure Situations, all very important in cricket. Tendulkar leads in two of these factors. Both players are known for their mental strength, though Bradman had a famous failure in his last innings. I give this battle to Tendulkar.

Skill / Performance Battle

Of all the factors to consider, skill is the most important, as skill (and therefore performance) is what ultimately a cricketer is judged on. Bradman played 52 versus Tendulkar's at least 169 (he is still playing), though Tendulkar's test average of just over 56 is well below Bradman's 99.94. Bradman has a higher top score, Bradman's 334 versus Tendulkar's 248 not out. In Wisden's ranking of top players of all time, based on their rating system of all innings, Bradman was the clear leader above Tendulkar. What also must be considered is they played in different eras - Bradman never had to face a bowler at 150km/hr, but had to deal with less consistent pitches. Bradman also played most of his tests against England (37 out of 52), while Tendulkar has boosted his average playing a larger range of skilled teams.

In terms of bowling, Tendulkar has bowled many more overs in first class cricket with not as good figures: Tendulkar's test bowling average is at 52 and best lowing of 3/10, compared to Bradman's 36 average and best 1/8. However, in one day cricket, which was not played in Bradman's time, Tendulkar has excelled. He is the most prolific run scorer in one-day internationals, the first player to make 10,000 runs in one dayers.

Again overall there is no clear winner. Based on Bradman's clearly superior batting average he is given the nod for skill/performance.

Popularity Battle

In the land of a billion people and hundreds of Gods, Tendulkar is like one of their Gods. In the cricketing world, including India, Bradman is known as possibly the greatest cricket player ever, though many would believe this title belongs to Tendulkar. It is hard to split these two in popularity. In the Hero ratings on this site (only early voting results), Bradman Hero ratings are clearly higher than Tendulkar as a hero. In a close call I give this to Bradman.

Overall Champion

The winner of each of the above challenges was:

Physical - Bradman
Physiological - Tendulkar
Psychological - Tendulkar
Skill - Bradman
Popularity - Bradman
overall - BRADMAN

Comments

bradman is the god of cricket and sachin is one of the talented batsman in the world like ponting ,border ,gavaskar,steve waugh etc many. (from shince, Jan 2012)
don is the best, he is all time great (from Bopanna, Jan 2012).
guys sachin is way better cause he indian and kicks some ass. (from Dec 2011)
The cricket not like before now this is much difficul event so sachin is the best (from Dhilip, Nov 2011)
don bradman is always better than sachin. Don bradman is my idol (from nikhil salunke osamanabad, Nov 2011)
don is 100 times greter than sachin Sir.Sachin ramesh Tendulkar is the fantastic batsman.. no one can beat his record forever. I challenge u.. (from Vishnu, Nov 2011)
I cannot compromise between 2 players both r great player. But looking at present situation i think Sachin is the g8 player i ever seen. (from Dinesh gc (nepal), Oct 2011)
Bradman is da best (from Abhishek, Oct 2011)
Anybody who thinks bowlers were rubbish in Bradman's day are absolute imbeciles! They were just as good and better in certain teams! Also, Bradman has the best technique of any batsmen in the history of the game. You can't argue with an average of 99.94! (from Mikey T, Sept 2011)
Cricket means SACHIN (from karhik kollam paravoor, Aug 2011)
Sachin's has made most of centuries against novice teams. Besides in many matches that he has scored a century India lost the match. I would rather rank Ponting and Steve Waugh higher than Sachin. (from Yasir, Aug 2011)
Sir. Sachin R. Tendulkar is great cricketer ever... (from Prashantvarukar, July 2011)
If there is god in cricket that is sachin dada (from george viju, June 2011)
don is perfect, sachin in god (from safwan, June 2011)
DONALD GEORGE BRADMAN IS ALWAYS A LEGAND & BETTER THAN SACHIN 1000 TIMES (from SHANTHA KUMAR BALAJI. May 2011)
Tendulkar is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (from random1234, May 2011)
Sachin is God of cricket. (from Steve, May 2011)
Undoubtedly Bradman was the greatest batsman the world cricket has ever seen.... (from Raj, Apr 2011)
The article is not very objective. Let us appreciate and be happy that both strutted the cricket stage. An average of 99.9 is difficult to beat. Would Bradman match this in the modern era with umpire reviews? (from dominic, Apr 2011)
Tendulkar is the best player of this crickint history so far. the amount of pressure he takes when he goes to bat and the expectations of the people of cricket crazy country like india are very high. I think even bradman couldnt have handled this sought of pressure. so sachin is the best.. (from amit, April 2011)
I think both r hero in their era, we cannot compare sachin with bradman or bradman with sachin, because both have played in different era and situation. (from vikash rana, April 2011)
I agree with Yui Yang, Bradman only played against England, but Tendulkar has played against a wide range of countries. Tendulkar also fae bowling speed of upto 155km/h. To sum it up, TENDULKAR IS THE GOD OF CRICKET AND ALWAY WILL BE (from unknown, March 2011)
I think, they both are extra tanlented and god has gifted these two legend and whe should have to respect them, no word war, sachin and bradman both are great .... Love cricket. (from Rupam (india), Feb 2011).
Sachin can be compared to Ponting and allan border and not with Sir Donald Bradman ..Only one legend and no more wonders like sir .. (from Rakesh, Feb 2011)
Sachin is best. I accept bradman has done great things but he got enough rest and was free from injuries if bradman played 150 matches in 20 yrs also 450 odi ..no he cant be in peak as he is also a human....sachin has made 1500 runs in 2010 at 80.. maybe next year at an avg 100. (from Nambi, Jan 2011)
Sachin is all time grate because,Don was only test format has played,but tendulkar playing all format of cricket. (from Shaik Humayun, Jan 2011).
Sachin is the best one, he is playing so many years with full fitness. he made 100's with every country. (from sreekanth redd, Dec 2010)
This is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever read. (from Andrew morre, Dec 2010).
This is crazy. Bradman is by far the better cricketer. While you may not be able to compare batsmen who played 50 years apart you can look at the benchmark set by other batsmen of the time a pretty soon it becomes clear that Bradman stands head and shoulders above Tendulkar. Tendulkar has had far more opportunities to make runs. If Bradman had played the same amount of tests in his 20 year career he would have nearly 100 test tons. Tendulkar is a fine batsman but so was George Headely, Herbert Sutcliffe, Jack Hobbs, Wally Hammond, Gary Sobers, Weekes, Walcott, Paynter, Barrington, Hutton etc... There are heaps of batsmen that compare to Tendulkar from all eras but none that get close to Bradman. To be fair Tendulkar is easily the best modern day batsmen and I think other Indians such as Dravid and Gavaskar are great as well. (from Anon, Dec 2010)
tendulkar plays with diffrent conditions and teams that shows he is better (from arjoon, Dec 2010)
Pls don't use wrong statistics in a debate. there is no test bowler with 30 mph. Bradman scored two 300 and once 299 not out in 52 tests. He scored twelve 200+. If he played 175 tests like Tendulkar he would have scored 50 double including 10 triple centuries. Don't forget that he lost 7 Years of his prime time due to 2nd world war. He was never off form in his 20 yrs. well he never played one dayer or 20 20. But every critics accept that test cricket is the true cricket (from tabul, Dec 2010)
One man show Sachin Tendulkar,he is king of world and also cricket god ....... EAST OR WEST SACHIN IS BEST.. (from KUNAL NAIK, Dec 2010)
God of cricket sir don bradman (from khushal, Dec 2010)
Sachin is the best. He played with all teams and face all bowlers. He hit centuries almost all teams. He faces world fastest bowlers like Akthar, Breet Lee while bradman does not. (from Jawahar, Nov 2010)
Sorry but I am not satisfied with this because Bradman was playing against one team in same environment (England) with bowling speed around 30 mph (from yui yang, Nov 2010)
Yaa both these players are same tallenters (from kalaiselvan, Nov 2010)