Comparison. An inevitable, unavoidable and arguably, a obligatory element of a dialog round any sport.

From groups to coaches, assist workers to administration and proper right down to the followers, we love drawing comparisons and constructing intriguing narratives. One doesn’t should go too deep into the previous to dig out examples of the seriousness such conversations advantage.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal? Lewis Hamilton vs Michael Schumacher? Usain Bolt vs Carl Lewis. Or nearer dwelling: Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli.

Tendulkar retired as worldwide cricket’s most prolific batter and continues to be so almost a decade later since he paid his ultimate obeisance to the hallowed turf of Wankhede Stadium as an India player.

Stats are proof that Kohli is the sole batter who has come anyplace near threatening Tendulkar’s report for actual. His droop in across codecs and particularly in Test cricket might have pushed him behind his rivals however Kohli stays peerless in limited-overs cricket.

After a quick slumber, the debate has been sparked to life because of Kohli’s latest run that noticed him peel off three centuries from 4 ODI innings – a cheerful reminder of the time when it appeared ridiculously simple for him to get to a few figures.

His newest hundred was additionally the 46th of his profession and he’s now simply three centuries away from equalling Tendulkar’s report of 49 such scores. It’s fairly potential Kohli will equal and even surpass the legendary batter this yr itself and it absolutely will result in infinite discussions on who will get the bragging rights to be the greatest ever batter?

Then there are just a few outstanding former cricketers who can’t fathom how gamers from totally different eras might be pitted towards one another contemplating the adjustments in enjoying situations over the years.

However, for Srikkanth Anirudha, a former Chennai Super Kings opener and son of the well-known World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth, there’s nothing incorrect in making comparisons.

“There is nothing wrong in comparing,” Anirudha tells News18 CricketSubsequent in an unique dialog. “I am a firm believer that’s what we play sport for. When we were young, we discussed who is better: Sachin or Gavaskar? Sachin or Vivian? Those conversations should be had. We keep asking who is better: Messi or Ronaldo? Messi or Pele? Messi or Maradona?”

Anirudha although provides that whereas it’s very troublesome to show who is higher however by way of impression on Indian cricket, no one will surpass Tendulkar.

“Yes, it’s so difficult (to ascertain who is better). They are only opinions. You can throw any stats you want. In terms of impact and longevity, nobody is going to be better than Sachin Tendulkar. He did so much for Indian cricket. There is no doubting that. Today, if cricketers are getting so much money, so much of ad revenue coming into the sport, it’s originally because of the 1983 side led by Kapil Dev and then Sachin took it to another level,” he stated.

“The interesting thing about cricket is that it’s very much like the NBA. How Magic Johnson and Larry Bird brought the NBA back, then Michael Jordan became everything. And today you have a LeBron James. I would compare that with cricket. Kapil Dev brought cricket back, money into Indian cricket and then Sachin took it to another level. And now there’s Virat Kohli,” he added.

But for Anirudha, Kohli is the greatest batter across codecs.

“For me, across formats, he’s (Kohli) the greatest batsman ever. If it’s just Test cricket, Sachin is ahead but when you take ODIs and T20s and combine all of that, his fitness, I don’t think anyone is close to him,” he stated.

Anirudha represented Tamil Nadu in the home circuit and scored over 4000 runs across codecs between 2004 and 2019. He additionally performed in IPL representing Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 35-year-old is now dabbling in commentary and is a part of JioCinema’s professional panel for the inaugural SA20.

Recalling his days representing CSK, the former opening batter says he was fortunate to have performed alongside MS Dhoni and explains how the franchise has been so profitable over the years and why gamers, present and former, fondly remembering their affiliation with the Chennai-based outfit.

“I was actually very lucky to have been part of CSK’s golden period. What was amazing about the entire franchise and why we were successful was because right from the top bosses to MS Dhoni and to players, the mentality was always to never give up. Actually when we first won, we were nearly out of it before bouncing back. That belief and more importantly how well they take care of you, make you feel comfortable, make sure they put you in the right position, ensuring a right environment, atmosphere around the dressing room,” Anirudh stated.

He continued, “At that particular level, everybody is equally talented. It’s just the matter of who gets the right opportunity and atmosphere to perform. That’s the only difference. CSK had it. And when you have a guy like MS Dhoni leading, you have a massive advantage. The captain is crucial and so is the management. So, I was very lucky.”

Anirudha is having fun with his stint as a commentator and divulges that he was planning his transition from a player to an professional for a while now.

“Playing the sport is definitely more challenging without a doubt,” he stated. “There is no comparison because so much goes into playing a sport. But the transition has been very smooth. Guys have been helping me a lot. It’s been amazing actually, enjoying a lot. I was thinking about it for the last three years, I’d started my own YouTube channel. I still do play cricket and I’m enjoying both.”

He additionally predicted that SA20 is going to be fairly useful to the South African nationwide cricket staff as their home gamers will get extra alternatives to rub shoulders with worldwide stars.

“In a matter of a few years’ time you will see very good domestic South African cricketers come up and it’s going to be amazing for their cricket. Expect South Africa to be a formidable force in a few years’ time, definitely,” Anirudha stated.

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