I have read and heard a lot about Great Sir Don Bradman. Some says he is undoubtedly the best batsman Cricket ever had. Well they are right to an extend, but is it really true to say that ?

The argument lies in fact that Bradman, played against Fast bowling and since at that time there are hardly any protection for batsman so it is tough to play the Bat and Ball game. Looks wonderful that how true they are, it is indeed hard to play a fast bowler without protection. But still why I am not liking the argument and why I am on other side of it? Infact my Side is Bradman was indeed a great player, but he is certainly not THE best comparing to anyone today. Lets take a look at game then and now:

1. Bradman play Fast bowlers without any Protection. But did anyone realise he only plays the fast bowlers and he never face a spin or for matter any quality spin bowls. Can he face the likes of Anil Kumble or Shane Warne or Mularitharan ? Can if even face the bowlers like Sehwag and Tendulkar’s part time spin ? Maybe yes, Maybe no. I mean he never play or train himself for spin. But Batsman today has TWICE the work to practise against bowler, they have to play 100 miles per hour speed of Brett Lee or 50-60 miles per hour spin of Warne or 60-70 miles per hour of Kumble. They have variety to play. Which need more then what it used to be then.

2. Bradman plays without protection, but did bowler at that time has Cutters or Reverse Swing that were used by bowlers now. Did Bowlers bowl Slower ball during that time to mix the speeds of bowling. And what about Yorker? These tools where not very handy and are not in very use during those time. It is becoming the tools since the Imran Khan shows what make Bowlers more dangerous.

3. Playing without protection has one significant Advantage as playing with Protection, the EXTRA LOAD a batsman carry. Think about it a Batsman carry 3-4 Kgs of extra weight, and that weight is not only need physical strength but also the elbow guard and chest guard hinder the movement of batsman. A batsman without protection can move 5-10% faster as compare to one with protection.

4. Now moving to fielding comparison, Did you ever heard player use to dive around to stop bowl during those time? Did you see a Likes of Azharuddin throwing his bowl from his back while he running away from pitch to field without turning back, did you see any Jonty Rhodes to stop your 10-15 runs in just 30-35 overs of your batting and create chances for your run out. Did you ever heard a Player dive full stretch to take your catch, and the catch that was taken in recent IPL 3 games. If a batsman as good as Bradman just hit the bowl 3-4 ft away from Fielder, he was sure that field won’t stop it, but if Sachin or Brian Lara has to hit same bowl they have to hit 5-6 ft away from fielder otherwise the ball will get stopped for sure.

5. Bradman face bodyline bowling and he was still there to survive, but did he got that many runs that Sachin Tendulkar get when he get his bodyline bowling?

By no mean I want to say that Bradman was not great player. He is no doubt is one of the best Player game had, but he cannot be compare to today’s competitive games. The Scenarios has just changed enough to make Hard for any batsman, Playing ODIs, Test and now T20 means you have to have three batting style, against different bowlers and more over a great fielding sides. Batsman’s pressure has more than 4-5 times then it was before, so arguing on only one point is pointless. Different ages cannot be compared for anyone. Stats are not always true, they didn’t note the facts with them. He was great, but Cricket was greater and Cricket and any sports will see future generation have more better player than past. We learn from history, to make great future.