Gautam Gambhir vs Virender Sehwag

[rahuldravidfan]

@ Shrav... Comprehensive

 

[Howsie]

- Number 1 test batsman in the world
- Was the leading scorer in his first test series outside the subcontinent with 445 runs in 3 tests
- Match-saving innings at Napier
- Scores a century every 3.4 tests
- In his last 25 innings he has 7 centuries and 7 fifties at an average of 77 and only 1 single digit score
- CB series
- 75 in T20 WC final against arch-rivals Pakistan
- Highest run getter in Border-Gavaskar series while playing only 3 of the 4 tests in the series
- World test player of the year 2009
- Part of the World Test XI 2009

While Gambhir has been fantastic over the last year and 1/2, let's not forget he's played most of his cricket in Asia. If you take out his two games against Zimbabwe in 2005 then he's only played test cricket outside Asia once, and that was on the flattest pitches I've seen here in years. Until he scores runs overseas like Sehwag has done I can't rate him higher than his partner.

 

[rahuldravidfan]

Shrav... put up a poll

 

[sohum]

The fact that both of these guys have so much success is because they are batting with each other.

Gambhir is an aggressive batsman by nature, but he's toned it down a bit because he doesn't need to be aggressive with Sehwag at the other end. This has led him to be more consistent. Sehwag always had the issue of not having a solid opener at the other end, that gave him the chance to be fully aggressive--Gambhir gives him that opportunity.

See Sehwag's breakdown by opening partner:

with Dravid: 295 @ 96.33
with Gambhir: 2381 @ 48.39
with Jaffer: 1423 @ 43.04
with Chopra: 1198 @ 63.05
with Bangar: 321 @ 32.10
with Vijay: 451 @ 150.33
with Pathan: 214 @ 107.00
with Parthiv: 0 @ 0.00
with Yuvraj: 167 @ 167.00
with Graeme Smith: 83 @ 41.50

Sorting by averages, you have the following:

Yuvraj, Vijay, Pathan, Dravid, Chopra, Gambhir, Jaffer, Graeme Smith, Bangar, Parthiv

The ones struck out are because of a small number of data points. By these figures, you can see that Chopra has been Sehwag's opening partner of choice. He complemented Sehwag perfectly in that Sehwag had almost a guaranteed stand at the other end. With Chopra, though, Sehwag scored at a S/R of 74.5, whereas with Gambhir he scores at 83.3. Also, the average partnership with Gambhir is nearly 59.61 whereas the average partnership with Chopra was 47.21. This difference of about 12 runs is less than the number of runs more Sehwag scored when batting with Chopra, but the fact that the total runs come a lot quicker now sets the momentum for the rest of the batsmen.

In short, I conclude that Gambhir and Sehwag balance each other out perfectly, and if they didn't have the luxury of batting with each other, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

 

[drainpipe32]

What Howsie said. Exactly what I was thinking.

Can't wait till little 'Gauty' comes here and gets his ass bounced off.

@Sohum, that's fair enough. It's hard to compare opening partners, because you don't know how they would bat without each other. Gambhir still hasn't bat with anyone else, except Sehwag

 

[AbhishekS]

There simply isnt any comparison.
Its undoubtedly Virender Sehwag and there are many reasons for it.

We dont need to mention each and every record of Sehwag to prove that he is far ahead of Gautam Gambhir.

And guys, dont forget that Sehwag is the Idol and Mentor of Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir also has the autograph of Sehwag on each and every bat of his which he uses.

So I guess, there isnt any kind of competition between the two Daredevils.

 

[Harishan]

While Gambhir has been fantastic over the last year and 1/2, let's not forget he's played most of his cricket in Asia. If you take out his two games against Zimbabwe in 2005 then he's only played test cricket outside Asia once, and that was on the flattest pitches I've seen here in years. Until he scores runs overseas like Sehwag has done I can't rate him higher than his partner.

I'm guessing you've forgotten about the New Zealand vs India test series which was played in NZ early on in the year. Gautam was the leading run scorer in the series and he averaged 89 with the bat in the series, not to mention he scored two centuries and one half century.

 

[drainpipe32]

That's what he was talking about :|

 

[King Cricket]

Virender Sehwag.

Destructive, consistent, flamboyant, and can really set the stage on fire when it is his day. Also don't forget that he has put on the board two triple centuries, which is itself a magnificent achievement! And he has done pretty well outside India as well. An average (Tests) of 91.14 (!!) vs Pakistan, 74.25 vs Sri Lanka, 51.29 vs South Africa, 51.13 vs Australia, and 53.58 vs West Indies proves my point. Gambhir is a superb player too. But he'll have to show his might outside the subcontinent before I rate him above Sehwag.

 

[PotterManiac]

Of late, Virender Sehwag! He demolishes the opposition in no time and suddenly the swinging ball stops swinging! So its Sehwag. Gambhir is a terrific batsman but when you compare him with a special batsman like Viru, things are different

 

[pcfan123]

That's what he was talking about :|

Yup, the absolute road of a pitch in Napier where even Boycotts mum would have a got a century.

 

[shravi]

Yup, the absolute road of a pitch in Napier where even Boycotts mum would have a got a century.

I doubt Boycott's mum would have batted for 2 straight days. That takes some doing.

 

[Fatal Shot]

I doubt Boycott's mum would have batted for 2 straight days. That takes some doing.

Don't ever doubt Boycott's mum. Boycott got his genes from her, and if he could bat for 12 days straight without scoring, then she could easily bat two, if not three.

I won't rate Gambhir higher than Sehwag, until he scores runs either here, or England/Australia, where the pitches provide something for the bowlers.

 

[SaiSrini]

If he does in Australia or South Africa, the reason would be "CSA (or whatever) and CA have sucked up to the BCCI and have prepared perfect batting beauties for the Indian team to feast on and so Gambhir's records in these pitches dont count". You guys are good at coming up with such excuses.

That Napier innings was a very good one considering that he had to save the match for India and he had to bat for an incredibly long time. It takes so much determination to do that. That innings showed that he can stay put at the crease even when the conditions are helpful for the bowlers.

 

[pcfan123]

Since when is Napier helpful for bowlers? (besides the PAK NZ match where both batting lineups are ridiculously weak)