The term “Godfather of Cricket” has been associated with various influential figures who have significantly impacted the game. While the title is subjective, it generally refers to individuals who have revolutionized cricket in unique ways.
In simpler words, the term can be used for a cricketer who brought about a revolution of cricket in their respective country, and someone who inspired millions of youngsters to take up the sport. In different countries, there have been players who have given a lot of hope to young players to take up the sport.
A lot of iconic players over the past has had a major impact on cricket – these select group of iconic players continue to have a long-lasting legacy and these players have become icons of the game and their legacy reaches far beyond their on-field achievements and hence are also called god father of cricket in world.
Bear in mind, that it is very difficult to proclaim any player as a single “godfather” of cricket in world since the sport has been popular over the years and a number of different players have left an indelible impression on the game. These are cricketing legends – they are the real pioneers of cricket, they can be also called godfather of cricket since each of these players have all impacted the growth of cricket, hence can be called Godfather of the cricket world.
List of 6 Players Considered the Godfather of Cricket
| Player Name | Country | Career Span | Test Matches | Test Runs | Test Batting Average | ODI Matches | ODI Runs | ODI Batting Average |
| W.G. Grace | England | 1865 – 1908 | 22 | ~1,100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sir Donald Bradman | Australia | 1928 – 1948 | 52 | 6,996 | 99.94 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sunil Gavaskar | India | 1971 – 1987 | 125 | 10,122 | 51.12 | 108 | 3,092 | 35.13 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 2004 – 2019 | 90 | 4,876 | 38.09 | 350 | 10,773 | 50.57 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1989 – 2013 | 200 | 15,921 | 53.84 | 631 | 18,426 | 44.8 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2008 – Present | 111 (as of 2023) | 8,500+ | 49.5+ | 275+ | 12,500+ | 57.3+ |
1. William Gilbert Grace
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W.G. Grace is often considered one of the earliest giants of cricket. He is also known as Father of Cricket due to his greatness, He played first-class cricket for an unparalleled 44 seasons, from 1865 to 1908, during which he captained England, Gloucestershire, the Gentlemen, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the United South of England Eleven (USEE), and various other teams. A remarkable all-rounder, Grace excelled in batting, bowling, and fielding, but he is most celebrated for his batting prowess. Coming from a cricketing family, his elder brother E. M.
Grace and younger brother Fred Grace also played the sport; in 1880, they made history by being the first trio of brothers to play together in a Test match for England. However, Grace’s international career didn’t fully flourish. He ended his international stint in 1899 with 22 Tests and nearly 1,100 runs.
Regarding his bowling, Grace’s standout performance came in 1886 while playing for MCC against Oxford University, where he took all ten wickets in an innings for 49 runs, marking his best first-class bowling achievement.
In addition to his technical skills, Grace’s larger-than-life personality and distinctive beard made him a popular figure among fans. He played a key role in the development of the sport, not only through his on-field achievements but also through his off-field contributions.
W.G. Grace passed away on October 23, 1915, but his legacy endures. He is remembered not only for his extraordinary talent and contributions to cricket but also for his role in shaping the modern game.
Read More: Most Centuries by Players in ICC Cricket World Cup
2. Don Bradman
Image Cricket: cricket.com.au
Sir Donald Bradman is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time. Born on August 27, 1908, in Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia, Bradman’s impact on the sport transcends generations and continents. His remarkable batting, exceptional consistency, and unparalleled records have cemented his status as a cricketing legend.
Bradman’s international career spanned from 1928 to 1948, during which he played 52 Test matches for Australia. His batting statistics are staggering; he scored 6,996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94, a figure that remains unmatched in the history of cricket. His ability to dominate bowlers with impeccable timing, superb footwork, and an unorthodox yet highly effective technique set him apart from his peers.
One of Bradman’s most iconic achievements came during the 1930 Ashes series in England, where he scored a record-breaking 974 runs in just seven innings, including a triple century. This series firmly established his reputation as a cricketing phenomenon and elevated him to a level of superstardom rarely seen in sport.
Sir Donald Bradman passed away on February 25, 2001, but his legacy lives on as a symbol of cricketing greatness. He remains an enduring inspiration to aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Suggested Read: Players with Fastest 200 Runs in ODI Cricket
3. Sunil Gavaskar
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Sunil Gavaskar, often hailed as one of India’s greatest cricketers, is a towering figure in the history of the sport.
Gavaskar’s international career spanned from 1971 to 1987, during which he played 125 Test matches for India. At a time when Indian cricket struggled to establish itself on the global stage, Gavaskar emerged as a beacon of hope and a symbol of excellence.
One of Gavaskar’s most remarkable achievements was his role in India’s historic series victory against the West Indies in 1971. His stellar performances, 774 runs in eight innings including four centuries and one double century, played a pivotal role in India’s triumph and solidified his reputation as a batting maestro. Gavaskar’s mastery against fast bowling, particularly against the formidable West Indian pace attack of his era, further enhanced his legendary status.
In addition to his exploits in Test cricket, Gavaskar also had a distinguished career ODIs. He played 108 ODIs for India, scoring over 3,000 runs.
Off the field, Gavaskar’s contributions to the game extended beyond his playing days. He became a respected cricket commentator and administrator, lending his expertise and insights to the promotion and development of the sport.
Suggested Read: Who is the GOAT of Cricket? Unraveling the Greatest Ever
4. MS Dhoni
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MS Dhoni stands as one of the most influential figures in modern cricket. Renowned for his exceptional leadership, cool demeanour under pressure, and extraordinary wicketkeeping skills, Dhoni’s contributions to Indian cricket are monumental.
Dhoni’s captaincy is marked by numerous historic achievements. Under his leadership, India won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, a victory that heralded a new era in Indian cricket. He then led India to triumph in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, ending a 28-year drought and cementing his legacy. In 2013, Dhoni added the ICC Champions Trophy to his list of accolades, making him the only captain to win all three major ICC tournaments.
A master finisher, Dhoni’s battin is characterized by his ability to remain calm under pressure and his ability to close out games. His signature helicopter shot and strategic thinking in crunch situations have won India countless matches. With over 10,000 runs in ODIs, Dhoni is one of the greatest finishers the game has ever seen.
As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni was remarkable, known for his lightning-fast stumpings and sharp reflexes. His innovative techniques behind the stumps often left batsmen baffled and contributed significantly to India’s success in all formats of the game.
MS Dhoni’s legacy is not just defined by the trophies he won but by the manner in which he transformed Indian cricket, instilling a winning mentality and fostering a culture of calm and confidence.
Further Read: MS Dhoni Net Worth, Sources of Income, Home, Cars and Bikes Collection
5. Sachin Tendulkar
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Sachin Tendulkar, perhaps the greatest cricketing icon ever, is also the leading run-scorer in the history of the game. His career spanned for more than two decades and when he stepped away from cricket, he held the record for being the highest run-scorer in both Test and One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Sachin Tendulkar, who many believe to be god father of cricket, played 200 Test matches and piled on 15,921 runs at an average of 53.8. This includes 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries. In ODIs, he also played 463 games where he scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.8, with 49 centuries and 96 fifties.
He has often been called God of cricket and his batting was the perfect amalgamation of classical technique and aggressive flair. People have called him a batter as “the man who moved mountains with his bat.” Such was his impact on Indian cricket and India as a nation that he has enhanced global stature of Indian cricket. He is the best player to have ever walked on to the cricket field and yes, he can be called god father of cricket in the world.
Suggested Read: What is Sachin Tendulkar’s Net Worth in Rupees 2024
6. Virat Kohli
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India as a country loves cricket and the land has produced a number of iconic players and in the recent times, there is none bigger than former India captain Virat Kohli. He has often been compared to Sachin Tendulkar, there have been comparisons made to Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting for his drive, passion, and aggression.
Kohli has combined his drive with his technical precision and has revolutinized fitness in Indian cricket. He has become one of the most consistent all-format run-scorer of his generation – he is called the chase master since he has made daunting run chases appear like a walk in the part.
Kohli was relentless, he was always pushing the envelope and this was evident in the way he captained India. He pushed his fast bowlers to become fit and made them exceed expectations and helped India being a dominant force in overseas conditions. Under his captaincy, India enjoyed an extended reign as the No. 1 Test team in the world and achieved a historic first-ever Test series win in Australia.
His batting achievements are stellar – he has already shattered records for the fewest matches needed to reach eight, nine, ten, and eleven thousand ODI runs. In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, he became the first player to notch up 50 centuries in one-day internationals. A god father in cricket world, Kohli is a modern day giant and in many ways can be hailed as a transformative person in the game.
Further Read: Virat Kohli’s Net Worth 2024: Insights into His Earnings and Wealth
Conclusion
As has been written in this article, the title “Godfather of Cricket” is more than just a moniker or a label. This name is given to people who have been extraordinary in their respective careers and have also inspired several other players.
Hence, it is impossible to single out one player and label him ‘Godfather’, there are players who have elevated the game but also inspired generations of players and fans alike. These players are the true icons of the game, they deserve the term “Godfather of Cricket“.
FAQ’s about Godfather of Cricket
Q) Which player can be called godfather of cricket?
A) It is very difficult to call any one player as the godfather of cricket since there have been a number of iconic players that have had a significant impact on the game.
Q) Why are few players hailed the godfathers of cricket?
A) Few players are also called godfathers of cricket since they have played a massive role in the growth of the game and have left a lasting impact on the game.
Q) Have multiple players played a role in growing cricket?
A) Yes, there are plenty of players who have had a lot of impact on the game of cricket – they are called pioneers and godfathers of the cricket world.
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