Although India emerged victorious in the high scoring ODI series against England, doubts over India’s opening pair only grew stronger as everyone at the top struggled to score freely. Watching Indian openers fail consistently on such flat tracks, fans couldn’t stop thinking how destructive the swashbuckler Sehwag would have been on these batting paradises.
Of course, Sehwag cannot be compared with anyone else as he was a unique entertainer with an unorthodox approach. One name that props up while discussing the former Indian opener is the fearless and powerful West Indian great, Viv Richards!
Comparing two cricketers from two different eras can become irrational but it won’t do no harm if we peep into some stats and look at some of their records. Let’s try to make this as entertaining as their batting.
#1 Strike rate
Both Sehwag and Richards were known for their aggressive approach and quick scoring rate. Comparing their strike rates make little sense as both batted in different eras. During Sehwag’s time, batsmen scored freely, while Richard’s era saw batsmen play cautiously. So, who was more aggressive? Let’s compare these men with their colleagues in their era.
If we look at batsmen who faced more than 5000 balls during Sehwag’s ODI career, Sehwag tops the chart with a strike rate of 104.33. However, he is closely followed by Adam Gilchrist - 98.72 and AB de Villiers - 93.15. Richards had a strike rate of 90.20 and is way ahead of second-ranked Dean Jones - 76.25 and Allan Border - 70.39.
It would have been pretty terrifying to bowl to Vivian Richards.
#2 Performance in away Tests
Some of the finest performances of Vivan Richards and Sehwag came in their away Tests. Sehwag’s 195 at Melbourne and Richards’ 189 not out at Old Trafford have become a part of folklore. But how good was the overall performance of these batsmen in away Tests?
Sehwag played 52 away Tests and amassed 3930 runs at an average of 44.65 with 10 centuries. His average of 44.65 is close to his overall average of 49.34. Viv Richards, on the other hand played 73 away Test matches and scored 5404 runs at an average of 50.50 including 13 centuries. His away Test average was slightly better than his overall career average of 50.23.
#3 Contribution in winning
No matter how good individual performances are, we cannot overlook the aspect that, at the end of the day, it is the results that matter. So, what was Sehwag and Richards’s contribution in team victories?
During his career, Richards was part of 63 Test wins and he scored 4300 runs in them. Interestingly, his average of 52.43 in these Tests is close to his overall career average of 50.23.
In the list of other West Indies batsmen who featured in more than 50 Test wins in the same era, Richards stands second to CG Greenidge, who averaged 54.20. Thus, Richards truly was the match winner for his side.
Sehwag featured in 42 Test wins and scored 3498 runs in them at an average of 54.65. His average in Test matches that India won is significantly higher than his career average of 49.34. When we compare his average with other Indian batsmen who featured in these Tests, Rahul Dravid (ranked first with an average of 67.27) and Sachin Tendulkar (ranked second with an average of 67.06) are way ahead of Sehwag. However, Sehwag’s strike rate of 88.15 makes him stand out in this list.
#4 Frequency of boundaries
Sehwag and Richards were known for hitting boundaries at will. No matter the situation, bowler or the fielder, these mavericks could send the ball to the ropes or over it without any trouble. But who had the better frequency of hitting boundaries?
Sehwag in his ODI career faced 7253 balls and smashed 1036 fours and 25 sixes. Thus, he scored a boundary every 6.83 balls. Viv Richards faced 7451 balls and scored 600 fours and 126 sixes. He hit a boundary every 10.26 balls.
#5 Batting positions
Although these batsmen have a lot in common, one vital difference between them is their batting position. Sehwag was an opener while Richards played most of his Test matches in the middle order. But how effective were these legends while not batting at their favoured position? Sehwag while batting at number 5, 6 and 7 has an average of 42.11. Richards while batting at number 2, 6, 7, and 8 has an average of 39.26.
These comparisons can go on and on, and will only signify that both these batsmen are neck and neck in all stats.
The batting of Sehwag and Richards offered more entertainment when watched instead of being compared!
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