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"I'd be 5,000 runs past Tendulkar if...": Mike Hussey makes shocking claim on late debut

Soumyajit Dutta

Michael Hussey and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @rupert_halloway12/X.com]Michael Hussey and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @rupert_halloway12/X.com]

Michael Hussey's international career was defined by a late debut at 28 after years of domestic dominance. The former Australian batter, affectionately dubbed 'Mr. Cricket', has now stirred conversation by reflecting on how his career statistics might have looked had he been handed an opportunity earlier. 

In a light-hearted yet bold hypothetical scenario, Hussey suggested that an earlier start could have seen him surpass the monumental records of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Hussey's light-hearted take on a missed opportunity

During a conversation on The Grade Cricketer YouTube channel, Hussey delved into the numbers, joking about the records that could have been his with more time at the highest level.

"I've thought about it a lot. I'd probably be about 5,000 runs past Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in the game," Hussey said.

Mike Hussey expanded on this fantasy, listing other potential accolades which he might have achieved if he had a few years more in him.

"Most centuries, most wins, most Ashes wins, and the most World Cup wins, probably all those things. And then, unfortunately, I wake up in the morning and it’s just a dream. I would have loved an opportunity earlier, but the good thing for me was that when I got picked, I had a great understanding of my game," Hussey added.

Hussey, far out of contention for Tendulkar's records

The statistical division between the two icons is vast, underscoring the sheer scale of Tendulkar's longevity and achievement. Tendulkar finished his career with 34,357 international runs and a historic 100 centuries across formats. 

Hussey, in contrast, scored 12,398 runs with 22 centuries. Michael Hussey’s delayed entry was largely due to the era he played in, struggling to break into an all-conquering Australian side of the late 1990s and early 2000s. By the time he debuted, he had already amassed nearly 23,000 first-class runs, a foundation that contributed to his remarkable class right from the beginning.