In today’s time, you might have heard the word “GOAT” a lot, but many people dont know what does GOAT mean in sports? GOAT stands for Greatest of All Time. This word is used to describe the best player in any sport. In basketball, people talk about Michael Jordan as the GOAT. In tennis, we hear about Roger Federer. But when it comes to cricket, the question of who is the GOAT of cricket is much harder to answer.
The greatest cricketer of all time is not easy to pick. Many players have amazing skills and records. Some people think one player is the best. Other people think a different player deserves the title. This is what makes the GOAT debate so interesting and fun. You can visit the 96 app and website to know more about the greatest batter, and bowler in cricket history.
The Top Contenders for GOAT of Cricket
When people ask “who is the GOAT of cricket,” several names always come up. Let’s look at the biggest stars and their incredible achievements.
GOAT of Cricket by Era
| Era | Cricketer Name | Country | Test Runs/Wickets | Batting/Bowling Average | Key Achievement | Dominance Period |
| 1930s-1940s | Sir Donald Bradman | Australia | 6,996 runs (52 Tests) | 99.94 average | Perfect average & 29 Test centuries | Uncovered pitches, smaller competitions |
| 1970s-1980s (Batting) | Sunil Gavaskar | India | 10,122 runs (125 Tests) | 51.12 average | First to 10,000 Test runs & 34 centuries | 1970-1987 |
| 1970s-1980s (Bowling) | Shane Warne | Australia | 1,001 Test wickets (145 Tests) | 25.41 bowling average | 1,001 Test wickets & magical leg spin | 1992-2007 |
| 1980s-1990s | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 15,921 runs (200 Tests) | 53.78 average | 100 international centuries & longevity | 1989-2013 (24 years) |
| 2000s-2006 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,378 runs (168 Tests) | 51.85 average | 8,000+ runs in 8 years at 65+ average | 1999-2006 (Golden 8 years) |
| 2010s | Steve Smith | Australia | 9,721 runs (77 Tests) | 61.80 average | Modern dominant batsman & consistency | 2010-present |
| 2010s-2020s | Virat Kohli | India | 9,230+ runs (2010s-2020s) | 55+ average | Most ODI centuries & modern master | 2008-present |
| 2020s | Pat Cummins / Jasprit Bumrah | Australia / India | 309+ wickets (Pat Cummins) | 22.50+ bowling average | World-class pace bowling 2020s | 2017-present |
The Best Bowler in Cricket History
| Rank | Bowler Name | Country | Bowling Type | Test Wickets | ODI Wickets | Test Bowling Average | ODI Economy Rate | Special Achievement | Playing Era |
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | Off-Spinner | 800 (133 Tests) | 534 (350 ODIs) | 22.72 | 2.93 | Most Test wickets all-time (800) | 1992-2010 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | Leg-Spinner | 708 (145 Tests) | 293 (194 ODIs) | 25.41 | 2.80 | Ball of the Century vs Gatting | 1992-2007 |
| 3 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | Fast Bowler | 414 (104 Tests) | 502 (356 ODIs) | 23.62 | 3.89 | Sultan of Swing, 500+ ODI wickets | 1984-2003 |
| 4 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | Fast Bowler | 563 (124 Tests) | 381 (250 ODIs) | 21.64 | 3.88 | Best Test avg (21.64) among 500+ wickets | 1993-2007 |
| 5 | Joel Garner | West Indies | Fast Bowler | 259 (58 Tests) | 146 (98 ODIs) | 20.97 | 3.09 | Best ODI economy (3.09), 1979 WC final | 1977-1987 |
| 6 | Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | Fast Bowler | 376 (81 Tests) | 157 (136 ODIs) | 20.94 | 3.53 | Best Test avg (20.94) among 200+ wickets | 1978-1992 |
| 7 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | Fast Bowler | 519 (132 Tests) | 227 (205 ODIs) | 24.44 | 3.83 | First bowler 500+ Test wickets | 1984-2001 |
| 8 | Anil Kumble | India | Leg-Spinner | 619 (132 Tests) | 337 (271 ODIs) | 29.37 | 4.68 | Only Indian 10-wicket haul | 1990-2008 |
| 9 | James Anderson | England | Fast Bowler | 991 (401 Tests) | 188 (188 ODIs) | 27.28 | 3.44 | Most Test wickets among active bowlers | 2002-2024 |
| 10 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | Fast Bowler | 309+ (56 Tests) | 149 (70 ODIs) | 20.63 | 4.54 | Modern world-class, best Test avg (20.63) | 2016-present |
| 11 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | Fast Bowler | 699 (93 Tests) | 393 (250 ODIs) | 22.39 | 3.68 | Most SA Test wickets (699) | 2004-2020 |
| 12 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | Fast Bowler | 362 (88 Tests) | 182 (175 ODIs) | 22.81 | 3.89 | Captain & 1992 World Cup winner | 1971-1992 |
What Makes a Player the Greatest Cricketer of All Time?
- Many things decide if a player is the best batsman in cricket history or the best bowler in cricket history.
- Consistency is very important. A great player does well again and again. They do not have bad days very often.
- Big Records matter too. Players who score the most runs or take the most wickets show their skill level.
- Playing in Different Conditions makes a player great. Some players are good at home but bad away. The best players do well everywhere.
- Skill and Technique are essential. A great player has perfect body movement and stroke play.
- Impact on the Game shows real greatness. Players who change how cricket is played are often remembered as the greatest.
The Big Debate: Who is the GOAT of Cricket?
When people talk about the greatest cricketer of all time, two names come up most. One group says Sir Donald Bradman is the GOAT of cricket. The other group says Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time.
- The Case for Bradman: His average of 99.94 is perfect and untouchable. No one in any sport has ever done something so special. His numbers are higher than anyone else. In statistics, Bradman is the clear winner.
- The Case for Tendulkar: He played for so many years and was consistent every single time. He played in 664 matches and was a star in all of them. He brought the game to millions of people worldwide. His love for cricket changed the sport.
- Many experts now say the answer depends on what you value. Do you care more about pure statistics? Then Bradman is your GOAT. Do you care about lasting impact and playing across different eras? Then Tendulkar might be your choice.
- Jacques Kallis is often in this conversation too. He was great with bat and ball both. He was the complete player.
At Last
The question “who is the GOAT of cricket” will never have one right answer. Each player brought something special to the game. Bradman showed perfect batting. Tendulkar showed lasting power. Warne showed magic with spin. Muralitharan showed the power of hard work.
The greatest cricketer of all time might be different for different people. You can argue that Bradman is the best batsman in cricket history because of his average. You can say the greatest cricketer of all time is Tendulkar because of his centuries. You can even pick someone else entirely.
