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MAIN / Cricket / Teams and players / Who is the Godfather of Cricket: Don Bradman to Virat Kohli

Sir Don Bradman is considered the Godfather of Cricket. He was the first player to create unmatched records and leave a huge impact on cricket fans. However, cricket has had different godfathers in different eras. After Bradman, legends like Sir Garfield Sobers and Sunil Gavaskar ruled their generations. They paved the way for modern cricket players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni. Today, they are seen as the new godfathers of the game.

Godfather of Cricket in World: The Veterans

The godfather of cricket is not just a good batsman or a good bowler. Nor is he just a successful captain. Rather, the term Godfather is used for someone who has excelled in his department (batting or bowling), had a successful career, and, while doing that, has inspired millions of people across generations to love, follow, and play this sport.

Cricket is a very old sport. Its history goes back to the 16th century. Over hundreds of years! The sport has changed from a simple bat-and-ball game into a global phenomenon loved by millions. During this long journey, a few legendary players stood above everyone else. They are the ones who played years ago but still have a lasting impact. They are remembered as the godfathers of world cricket.

Sir Donland Bradman (Australia)

Sir Donald Bradman was one of the greatest cricketers in history. He played for Australia from 1928 to 1948 and was known as “The Don.” He is called the godfather of cricket because of his unmatched impact on the game. Sir Don played 52 Test matches for Australia and scored 6,996 runs. At retirement, he had a batting average of 99.94. This is still the highest in cricket history. Don Bradman still lives on as an idol for many modern day cricketing greats.

Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)

Sir Garfield Sobers is remembered as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. He scored 8,032 Test runs and took 235 wickets. He had a highest score of 365 not out, which was a world record, and a best bowling figure of 6/73. He took 109 catches. He could do it all. He is a veteran player whose all-round skills changed the way cricket is played. Following him as the godfather, many all-rounders emerged, and today all-rounders are one of the most important parts of a successful cricket team.

Sunil Gavaskar (India)

Sunil Gavaskar is the godfather of cricket in India. While many argue if it is Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli who is the GOAT, true fans of the game know that Virat started playing cricket watching Sachin, while Sachin idolized the Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar. So, we can say Sachin Tendulkar/Virat is the new godfather of cricket, but the all-time veteran, the first person to ever score 10,000 runs in the Test format, Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, is the real godfather of cricket.

Global Godfather of Modern Cricket

The title of Global Godfather of Modern Cricket does not belong to one individual alone. Like the golden era that produced cricket’s greatest “Don Bradman,” the modern age has given us many greats. They have inspired young cricketers across generations. Time to take a look at the top 8:

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Test

ODI

Matches

200 463
Runs Scored 15,921

18,426

Batting Average 53.78

44.83

100s / 50s

51 / 68

49 / 96

Top Score

248*

200*

Balls Bowled

4,240 8,054
Wickets 46

154

Bowling Average

54.17 44.48
5 Wickets in an Innings 0

2

Best Bowling

3/10 5/32
Catches 115

140

Brian Lara (West Indies)

Test

ODI

Matches

131

299

Runs scored

11,953 10,405
Batting average 52.88

40.48

100s / 50s

34 / 48 19 / 63
Top score 400*

169

Catches

164

120

Virat Kohli (India)

Test ODI

T20I

Matches

123 311* 125
Runs scored 9,230 14,797*

4,188

Batting average

46.85 58.72 48.69
100s / 50s 30 / 31 54 / 77

1 / 38

Top score

254* 183 122*
Catches 121 167

54

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Test

ODI

Matches

166 329
Runs scored 13,289

11,579

Batting average

55.37 44.36
100s / 50s 45 / 58

17 / 86

Top score

224 139
Balls bowled 20,232

10,750

Wickets

292

273

Bowling average

32.65 31.79
5 wickets in innings 5

2

10 wickets in match

0 0
Best bowling 6/54

5/30

Catched

200

131

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Test

ODI

Matches

168 375

Runs scored

13,378 13,704
Batting average 51.85

42.03

100s / 50s 41 / 62

30 / 82

Top score

257 164
Catches 196

160

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Test ODI

T20I

Matches

134 404 56
Runs scored 12,400 14,234

1,382

Batting average

57.4 41.98 31.4
100s / 50s 38 / 52 25 / 93

0 / 8

Top score

319 169 78
Catches / stumpings 182 / 20 403 / 98

25 / 20

Wasim Akram (Pakistan)

Test

ODI

Matches

104 356

Balls bowled

22,627

18,186

Wickets

414

502

Bowling average

23.62 23.52
5 wickets in innings 25

6

10 wickets in match

5 0

Best bowling

7/119

5/15

Runs scored 2,898

3,717

Batting average

22.64 16.52
100s / 50s 3 / 7

0 / 6

Top score

257* 86
Catches 44

88

James Anderson (England)

Test

ODI

Matches

188 194
Balls bowled 40,037

9,584

Wickets

704 269
Bowling average 26.45

29.22

5 wickets in innings

32 2

10 wickets in match

3

0

Best bowling 7/42

5/23

Runs scored

1,353 273
Batting average 8.96

7.58

100s / 50s

0 / 1 0 / 0

Top score

81

28

Catches / stumpings 107

53

Godfather of Cricket in India: Across Formats

Indian cricket has produced some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. They are legends who didn’t just score runs or take wickets, but shaped the very identity of Indian cricket. When we talk about the godfather of India cricket, there is no single name. In fact, there are multiple legends across Test and ODI formats who deserve this title. Let us take a closer look at the true godfathers of Indian cricket.

Godfather of Test Cricket—Team India

Test cricket is the toughest format of the game. There are some legends of Indian Test cricket who stood tall against the best bowlers in the world. With their batting or bowling, they saved matches and won games, both in India and in SENA nations. So, who is the godfather of Indian cricket in the test format? Here are the top names:

Sunil Gavaskar

Span

1971–1987

Matches

125

Batting Inns

214

Not Outs

16
Runs

10,122

Highest Score

236*
Batting Average

51.12

100s

34
50s

45

Fielding Inns

216

Dismissals

108
Catches

108

Sachin Tendulkar

Span

1989–2013

Matches

200

Batting Inns

329

Not Outs

33
Runs

15,921

Highest Score

248*
Batting Average

53.78

100s

51
50s

68

Fielding Inns

366
Dismissals

115

Catches

115

Rahul Dravid

Span

1996–2012

Matches

164

Batting Inns

286

Not Outs

32
Runs

13,288

Highest Score

270
Batting Average

52.31

Balls Faced

31,258

Strike Rate

42.51
100s

36

50s

63

Fours (4s)

1,654

Sixes (6s)

21

Fielding Inns

301

Dismissals

210
Catches

210

 Anil Kumbe

Span

1990–2008
Matches

132

Innings

236

Overs

6,808.20
Maidens

1,576

Runs Conceded

18,355

Wickets

619
Best Bowling in Innings (BBI)

10/74

Best Bowling in Match (BBM)

14/149

Bowling Average

29.65

Economy Rate

2.69

Strike Rate

65.9
5-Wicket Hauls

35

10-Wicket Hauls

8

Godfather of ODI Cricket—Team India

One Day Internationals are very different from Test cricket. While Tests demand patience, ODIs require a proper balance between caution and aggression. India has been blessed with legendary cricketers who understood this balance better than anyone else and dominated the ODI format for years. Fans idolized them as the godfather of the cricket game and began playing and following ODIs.

Sachin Tendulkar

Span

1989–2012

Matches

463
Batting Inns

452

Not Outs

41
Runs

18,426

Highest Score

200*
Batting Average

44.8

Balls Faced

21,367
Strike Rate

86.2

Hundreds (100s)

49

Fifties (50s)

96
Fours (4s)

2,016

Sixes (6s)

195
Bowling Inns

270

Balls Bowled

8,054

Maidens

24
Runs Conceded

6,850

Wickets

154

Best Bowling

5/32

Bowling Average

44.5

Economy Rate

5.1
Bowling Strike Rate

52.3

4-Wicket Hauls

4
5-Wicket Hauls

2

Virat Kohli

Span

2008–Present

Matches

311
Innings

299

Not Outs

47
Runs

14,797

Highest Score

183
Batting Average

58.7

Balls Faced

15,771
Strike Rate

93.8

Hundreds (100s)

54

Fifties (50s)

77

Fours (4s)

1,376
Sixes (6s)

168

Rohit Sharma

Span

2007–Present
Matches 282
Innings 274
Not Outs 37

Runs

11,577
Highest Score

264

Batting Average

48.9
Balls Faced

12,482

Strike Rate

92.8
Hundreds (100s)

33

Fifties (50s) 61
Fours (4s) 1,090
Sixes (6s)

357

Sourav Ganguly

Span

1992–2007
Matches

311

Batting Inns

300
Not Outs

23

Runs 11,363
Highest Score 183
Batting Average

41

Balls Faced

15,416
Strike Rate (Batting) 73.7

Hundreds (100s)

22
Fifties (50s)

72

Fours (4s)

1,122
Sixes (6s)

190

Bowling Inns 171
Balls Bowled 4,561
Maidens 30
Runs Conceded 3,849
Wickets 100
Best Bowling 5/16
Bowling Average 38.5

Economy Rate

5.06
Strike Rate (Bowling)

45.6

4-Wicket Hauls

1
5-Wicket Hauls

2

MS Dhoni

Span 2004–2019
Matches 350
Innings 297
Not Outs 84
Runs 10,773
Highest Score 183*
Batting Average 50.6
Balls Faced 12,303
Strike Rate 87.6
Hundreds (100s) 10
Fifties (50s) 73
Fours (4s) 826
Sixes (6s) 229

Godfather of Cricket in IPL

The Indian Premier League is one of the most competitive and toughest cricket leagues in the world. When we say “godfather of cricket IPL,” we refer to the legendary players who have dominated the tournament with bat or ball. Plus, they have influenced teams with their experience and set high standards for IPL cricket over the years.

Virat Kohli

Span

2008–2025
Matches

267

Innings

259
Not Outs

40

Runs

8,661

Highest Score

113*

Batting Average

39.54

Balls Faced

6,519
Strike Rate

132.85

Hundreds (100s)

8
Fifties (50s)

63

Ducks (0s)

10
Fours (4s)

771

Sixes (6s)

291

Rohit Sharma

Span

2008–2025

Matches

272

Innings

267

Not Outs

30
Runs

7,046

Highest Score

109*
Batting Average

29.73

Balls Faced

5,334
Strike Rate

132.09

Hundreds (100s)

2
Fifties (50s)

47

Ducks (0s)

18

Fours (4s)

640

Sixes (6s)

302

Suresh Raina

Span

2008–2021

Matches

205
Innings

200

Not Outs

30

Runs

5,528

Highest Score

100*
Batting Average

32.51

Balls Faced

4,043

Strike Rate

136.73
Hundreds (100s)

1

Fifties (50s)

39
Ducks (0s)

8

Fours (4s)

506
Sixes (6s)

203

Fun Fact: The godfather of cricket MS Dhoni is also a legendary IPL player. Despite batting down the order, he has scored more than 5,000 runs in the tournament. In addition, he has led CSK to five IPL titles. Currently, MS Dhoni is the most successful IPL captain, alongside Rohit Sharma.

Top Overseas Players Considered Godfathers in India

If you ask an Indian, “Godfather of cricket kaun hai?” don’t be surprised if you hear the name of an overseas player in reply. Cricket fans in India are the real fans. They deeply respect global legends who changed the game, regardless of nationality. Some of the most popular cricketers in this regard are:

  • Chris Gayle
  • AB De Villiers
  • David Warner
  • Kane Williamson

Final Words

So now you know about the Godfather of Cricket. Sir Don Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, and Sir Sunil Gavaskar are the true veteran godfathers of the game. In the modern era, the godfathers of cricket are Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and many more.

The godfather of the Indian cricket team includes many legendary players. They are Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, and Rohit Sharma. We must not forget Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MS Dhoni godfather of cricket, is not only the greatest finisher of all time, but also India’s most successful captain. He has won the IPL, the ICC ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.

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FAQs

Who is godfather of cricket?

The godfather of cricket is Sir Don Bradman. He scored the most runs in his era, when cricket was still new to the world. At his retirement, Sir Bradman had a batting average of 99.94. This is something no other player has achieved yet in cricket history.

Who is the godfather of cricket India?

Sachin Tendulkar is the all-time godfather of Indian cricket. Sunil Gavaskar is also considered the godfather of cricket in India in the Test format. However, in modern cricket, millions of Indian fans consider Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni as their cricketing godfathers.

Who is the godfather of cricket in world?

Globally, Sir Don Bradman is considered the godfather of cricket. He has inspired millions around the world to play this sport.

Who is the godfather of Indian cricket?

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the godfather of cricket India. He is also known as the God of cricket. Currently, he holds the record for the most runs in Test and ODI cricket. He is also the highest run-scorer for India and globally across all formats.

Who is godfather of cricket in India?

Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar are the all-time godfathers of Indian cricket. Virat Kohli is the new godfather of cricket in India.

Who is the godfather of cricket in IPL?

According to the fans, MS Dhoni is the godfather of cricket IPL. Batting down the order, he has scored 5000+ runs. He has also led CKS to 5 IPL trophies.

Who is the godfather of Indian cricket team?

The godfather of the Indian cricket team is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. He scored many runs, broke many records, and inspired millions of people to love cricket.

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