Who is the Godfather of Cricket?
Cricket over the years has revolutionized. It has seen some massive changes across formats of the game. The game started in a test format, then slowly shifted to limited overs. In modern-day, the game has become more towards the batters as they score runs easily with the new rules and pitches that now favour the batters. However, some bowlers have been clinical in these tough conditions as well.
W. G. Grace is often considered the pioneer of modern cricket. He transformed the sport in the 19th century with his batting technique, sportsmanship, and influence over the game’s regulations. He had over 54,000 first-class runs. But can he be called the Godfather of Cricket? However, there are other cricketers who over the years have been the best in their era.
The name Godfather originated by combining two words, God and Father. A father is responsible for his kid, and every individual on Earth is God’s son. In cricket, a godfather is a player who not only earned personal fame and success but also inspired several talented young players and built a strong reputation. So we dive in to find out the godfather of cricket.
Who Is The Godfather Of Cricket? Top 3 Legends
The term “Godfather” is self-defined as it refers to a highly influential and respected figure in cricket. In this article, we will cover the top 3 legends of this game of all-time. We have ranked them on the basis of their statistical data as well as on their impact in this sport.
3. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)
Vivian Richards had a different aura during his prime. He was one of the most destructive batters of his era. The West Indies superstar had a different aura during his playing days. His aggressive attitude and ability to dominate bowlers, helped the West Indies win two World Cups in 1975 and 1979. Sir Viv averaged a remarkable 66.51 with the bat in the red ball format. He will remain as the greatest batter for the Windies.
He played for more than a decade and had numerous records under his belt. During the early days, he was an explosive hitter of the ball, and this is the reason he found it easy while playing in white ball cricket. He remains the fastest Windies batter, scoring 5000 runs in ODI format.
Test and ODI Batting Stats
| Test Batting Stats | |
| Matches | 121 |
| Innings | 182 |
| Runs | 8540 |
| Average | 50.23 |
| Best Score | 291 |
| 100s | 24 |
| 50s | 45 |
| ODI Batting Stats | |
| Matches | 187 |
| Innings | 167 |
| Runs | 6721 |
| Best Score | 189* |
| Average | 47 |
| 100s | 11 |
| 50s | 45 |
Key Achievements and Records
- Won ICC ODI World Cup twice – 1975 & 1979
- 3rd fastest batter to reach 5000 runs in Test Cricket – 95
- 3rd fastest batter to reach 5000 runs in ODI Cricket – 114
- 2nd batter to score most runs in a calendar year – 1710
- 2nd batter to score most hundreds in a calendar year – 7
2. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
Sir Garfield Sobers was regarded as the greatest West Indies cricketer of all time. He is widely regarded as cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, having been a highly talented bowler, an aggressive batter, and an excellent fielder. He featured for the side from 1954 to 1974, which is nearly two decades. He played for the Windies, creating several records.
Sobers was the first-ever batter to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls in first-class cricket. His versatility helped him to bowl all kinds of deliveries of left-arm bowling, from spin to fast-medium. He also played football for Barbados, and his physical strength and tactical awareness made him an amazing footballer for the nation as well.
Test Batting and Bowling Stats
| Batting Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 93 |
| Innings | 160 |
| Runs | 8032 |
| Average | 57.78 |
| Best Score | 365* |
| 100s | 26 |
| 50s | 30 |
| Bowling Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 93 |
| Innings | 159 |
| Wickets | 235 |
| Best Bowling in a match | 8/80 |
| Best Bowling in an Innings | 6/73 |
| Economy | 2.22 |
| 5-Wickets Haul | 6 |
Key Achievements and Records
- 2nd fastest batter to reach 6000 runs in test cricket – 111 innings
- 2nd best economy rate in a test match – 0.21
- 6th batter to score the most number of consecutive hundreds including all formats – 3
- 8th player to play most consecutive matches as captain of a team in test cricket – 39
- 7th batter to score most fifties in consecutive innings of a test match – 6
1. Sir Donald Bradman (Australia)
Sir Donald Bradman is the best Australian cricketer of all time. He can be regarded as the Godfather of Cricket. His career Test batting average of 99.94 is considered to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport. No batter is yet close to his amazing average, and it is nearly impossible to be broken in modern-day cricket.
Bradman played 52 matches for the Aussies, scoring 6,996 runs, and his highest score was 334. He had 13 hundred and 29 fifties in his 20-year career. The former Australian captain has many records under his name, which are nearly impossible to break.
Test Batting Stats
| Batting Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 52 |
| Innings | 80 |
| Runs | 6994 |
| Average | 99.94 |
| Best Score | 334* |
| 100s | 29 |
| 50s | 13 |
Key Achievements and Records
- Highest Average in Test Cricket – 99.94
- Most runs in a series by a captain – 810
- Fastest batter to score 6000 runs in Cricket – 68 Innings
- 3rd batter to score most fours in an Innings – 46
- First Batter to score hundreds in consecutive matches in Tests+ODIs+T20s – 6
Also Read: Top 10 Best ODI Batsman Currently- 2025
Godfather of Cricket in India
3. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the most successful captain of India and the world as well. He is the only captain to win all the ICC trophies. He is arguably one of the best limited-overs captains for the side. He has a calm and composed nature and has won many matches for India with the bat in crunch situations. He was named ‘Captain Cool’ because of his ability to stay calm and collected under pressure.
In his 15 years of a long international career, he won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007, the ICC ODI World Cup 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. He currently has retired from international cricket but continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings. He has numerous batting and wicket-keeping records under him.
Batting Stats across formats
| Test Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 90 |
| Innings | 144 |
| Runs | 4876 |
| Average | 38.09 |
| Best Score | 224 |
| 100s | 6 |
| 50s | 33 |
| ODI Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 350 |
| Innings | 297 |
| Runs | 10,778 |
| Best Score | 183* |
| Average | 50.57 |
| 100s | 10 |
| 50s | 73 |
| T20I Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 98 |
| Innings | 85 |
| Runs | 1617 |
| Average | 37.6 |
| Best Score | 56 |
| Strike Rate | 126.13 |
| 50s | 2 |
Key Achievements and Records
- First Indian Captain to win all ICC titles
- 6th most catches in a Test innings – 6
- 5th player with the most dismissals as a wicketkeeper in test cricket – 294
- Most dismissals in an innings in ODIs – 6
- Most stumpings in an innings in ODIs -3
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is one of the greatest batters for India. He changed the dynamics of batting with his sensational technique, rock-solid defense, and fearless approach against the fiercest bowlers of his era. Without wearing a helmet, he set new benchmarks for consistency and resilience against the likes of Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall, and Andy Roberts.
He was the first Indian batter to score 10,000 runs in test cricket. He contributed to Indian cricket as it extends beyond his record-breaking 34 Test centuries, a record that stood for nearly two decades, before being broken by Sachin Tendulkar.
| Test Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 125 |
| Innings | 214 |
| Runs | 10,122 |
| Average | 51.12 |
| Best Score | 236* |
| 100s | 34 |
| 50s | 45 |
| ODI Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 108 |
| Innings | 102 |
| Runs | 3092 |
| Best Score | 103* |
| Average | 35.13 |
| 100s | 1 |
| 50s | 27 |
Key Achievements and Records
- 3rd Fastest batter to Score 5000 Runs in Cricket – 95 Innings
- 2nd player to take the most catches in an innings in ODIs – 4
- First Indian batter to score 10,000 runs in test cricket
- 3rd most runs in a series by a captain in test matches – 732
- 10th highest partnership for the second wicket in test matches – 344*
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is called the God of Cricket Every other person from the 1990s era to the early 2000s started playing cricket and idolized him. Tendulkar was known for his run-scoring ability and has the most runs in international cricket. He also has the most centuries in international cricket. The former India captain has 100 international centuries.
Sachin played for nearly 24 years and scored over 18,000 runs in ODI cricket. The Master Blaster has featured in 463 matches for India, showcasing unparalleled consistency that helped him to play for such a long time for the nation. He can also be called the Godfather of Cricket for India.
| Tests Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 200 |
| Innings | 329 |
| Runs | 15,921 |
| Average | 53.78 |
| Best Score | 248* |
| 100s | 51 |
| 50s | 68 |
| ODI Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 463 |
| Innings | 452 |
| Runs | 18,426 |
| Average | 44.83 |
| Best Score | 200* |
| 100s | 49 |
| 50s | 96 |
Key Achievements and Records
- Most international runs: 34,357 runs (15,921 in Tests, 18,426 in ODIs)
- The only player with 100 international centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs)
- Most runs in Test cricket – 15,921 runs in 200 matches
- Most runs in ODI cricket – 18,426 runs in 463 matches
Q. Who is the godfather of cricket?
A. Sir Donald Bradman is the godfather of cricket
Q. Who is the godfather of cricket in IPL?
A. MS is the godfather of cricket in IPL.
Q. Who is the godfather of cricket in the Indian Team?
A. Sachin Tendulkar is the godfather of cricket in the Indian Team
Q. Who is the Devil of cricket?
A. Virat Kohli is the Devil of cricket.
Q. Who is father of Indian cricket?
A. Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, The Father of Indian Cricket.