Top 10 Cricketing Rivalries of All Time
Kohli & Anderson have had some riveting battles (Twitter)
Cricket, a sport that has been played for centuries, has provided a stage for some of the most captivating one-on-one battles between players from opposing teams. These encounters have been fought by some of the most skilled and gifted athletes in the world, and their clashes have resulted in unforgettable moments that have become indelible in the history of cricket.
As we take a stroll down memory lane, we delve into the archives of this great game to explore the top 10 duels that have defined cricket. These gripping contests have left an indelible mark on the sport, and they continue to inspire and ignite the imagination of cricket lovers around the globe.
1. Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne
Tendulkar, known as the "Master Blaster" from India, and Warne, the "King of Spin" from Australia, had some epic battles. Tendulkar's ability to play spin and Warne's ability to spin the ball made for an exciting contest. In their 13 Test match encounters, Tendulkar scored 363 runs off Warne's bowling, while Warne took his wicket six times.
2. Virat Kohli vs James Anderson
The contest between Kohli's aggressive batting and Anderson's swing bowling has been a sight to behold. They have faced each other 14 times in Test matches, and Kohli has scored 575 runs off Anderson's bowling, while Anderson has dismissed him five times.
3. Steve Waugh vs Curtly Ambrose
The former Australian captain, Waugh, and Ambrose had some fierce battles during the 1990s. Ambrose was known for his pace and bounce, while Waugh was known for his ability to play under pressure. In their 12 Test match encounters, Waugh scored 290 runs off Ambrose's bowling, while Ambrose dismissed him five times.
4. Ricky Ponting vs Muttiah Muralitharan
Muralitharan is most successful Test spinner (Twitter)
The former Australian captain and the Sri Lankan spinner had some memorable battles. Muralitharan was known for his ability to spin the ball both ways, while Ponting was known for his attacking batting. They faced each other 37 times in international cricket, and Ponting scored 765 runs off Muralitharan's bowling, while Muralitharan dismissed him 11 times.
5. Brian Lara vs Glenn McGrath
Lara, the former West Indian captain, and McGrath, the Australian legend, had some intense battles. McGrath was known for his accuracy and consistency, while Lara was known for his elegant batting. They faced each other 19 times in international cricket, and Lara scored 704 runs off McGrath's bowling, while McGrath dismissed him 14 times.
6. Kumar Sangakkara vs Dale Steyn
Sangakkara and Steyn had enjoyed playing against each other, as they brought their A-Game while playing each other. Steyn was known for his pace and swing, while Sangakkara was known for his stylish batting. They faced each other 13 times in international cricket, and Sangakkara scored 280 runs off Steyn's bowling, while Steyn dismissed him six times.
7. Rahul Dravid vs Shoaib Akhtar
The rivalry between Dravid and Akhtar was highly anticipated by cricket fans worldwide. Dravid relied on his impeccable technique to score runs, while Akhtar used his blistering pace and aggressive bowling style to intimidate his opponents. In the 10 times they faced each other in Test cricket, Dravid scored 231 runs off 447 deliveries from Akhtar, at an average of 25.67. Akhtar managed to dismiss Dravid four times in their encounters.
8. David Warner vs Stuart Broad
Warner struggled against Broad, who is known for his ability to move the ball both ways off the pitch. In their 23 innings against each other, Warner scored just 183 runs while being dismissed 12 times by Broad. The Englishman bowled Warner out six times, and the left-handed opener only managed to average 15.25 against him.
9. Ravichandran Ashwin vs Alastair Cook
Ashwin proved to be a tough opponent for Cook, who struggled against Ashwin's variations and ability to turn the ball. In the nine Test matches they played against each other, Ashwin dismissed Cook nine times, including three times in a single match on two occasions. Cook scored 447 runs against Ashwin at an average of 27.93, with a highest score of 130.
Ashwin had got Cook 9 times in Test cricket (Twitter)
10. Ricky Ponting vs Harbhajan Singh
Ponting faced off against Singh, who was known for his accuracy and ability to take wickets on any pitch, in 22 innings across all formats of the game. Ponting scored 547 runs at an average of 27.35, while Harbhajan dismissed him a total of 10 times, making him one of the bowlers who dismissed the Australian legend the most number of times in international cricket.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
