Five greatest rivalries in cricket

Cricket is considered to be a gentlemen's game but it does not mean that there cannot be any kind of rivalry between the teams or even the players. These rivalries make the game of cricket even more exciting and keep the fans engaged with the game.

But, the rivalries should be in accordance with the rules of the game and should not violate them. Sometimes players or even the whole team go beyond the limits which not only brings disgrace to the game but also sends out wrong messages to the fans watching the game.

Those little banters which takes place between the players or the teams adds some spice to the game and this is what the fans pay for. In the following slides, we are going to see the greatest rivalries that have taken place in the past.

---

#5 Sachin Tendulkar vs Glenn Mcgrath

Glenn McGrath

Sachin Tendulkar has always been considered as the 'God of Cricket' and has always been known for his gentleman behaviour whether it is on the field or off the field. He is also one of the few players who would walk off if he believes he is out even if the umpire's decision is not out.

But many of the fans do not know the great rivalry between him and the great Australian bowler Glenn McGrath. As far as the Test matches are concerned, McGrath definitely had an upper hand over Sachin. McGrath played 9 tests against Tendulkar and got him out 4 times with the Indian technician averaging just 22.16 against him in tests.

In terms of techniques, Sachin had the best of them but still, it was the class and talent of McGrath that made him so strong and difficult to play. He was that type of bowler who could clearly outfox Sachin on any day and in any condition.

He was so good at swinging the ball in the air that best of batsmen like Sachin found it hard to tackle. This quality of his made him a lethal bowler and his stats clearly shows that he is one of the best fast bowlers to have played the game of cricket.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar vs Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar of India

Shoaib Akhtar is considered to be one of the fastest bowlers to have played the game of cricket. He was a nightmare for the opposition batsman. It was extremely difficult for a batsman to play a delivery coming at him at a speed of more than 150 Km/hr.

Akhtar had many batsmen surrender to him but the most notable rivalry was between him and the great Sachin Tendulkar. Most of the times, Sachin had the upper hand in the battle between them. The most notable battle between the two was in the 2003 World Cup where Sachin smashed him all over the over the park before getting out to him.

Also, during his 194* knock at Multan, Tendulkar decimated Akhtar to all parts of the ground.

#3 Graeme Smith vs Zaheer Khan

Australia v India - Third Test: Day 2

Zaheer Khan was the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack for the major part of his career. He has been one of the greatest left-handed fast bowlers to have played for India. He was master at swinging the ball in the air at the start of the innings. He was also exceptionally good at reverse swing.

Graeme Smith was also one of the greatest players to have graced the game of cricket. But for Zaheer Khan, Smith was a bunny. Zaheer Khan dismissed Smith on 13 occasions. Graeme Smith had developed a nervous relationship with Zaheer Khan and by the looks of it, he had to work very hard on making that relationship survive the tests of time. He used to get out on Zaheer’s bowling irrespective of the ball’s merit.

#2 Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson

Australia v India: 3rd Test - Day 3

It has always been a mystery where the rivalry between former Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson and Indian batsman Virat Kohli’s began. It seems that it all started in the Adelaide Test between India and Australia in 2014. The incident that triggered the rivalry between the two happened on the third day of the Melbourne Test.

Johnson was on the bowling end and tried to run Kohli out but ended up hitting the batsman. While no words were exchanged then, Kohli didn’t take too kindly to the attempt at the press conference.

Kohli said in the press conference that sledging happened throughout the day and he has no reason to respect a player who does not respect him. Despite their differences, Johnson admits that it is Kohli’s brand of competitiveness that makes him someone you would want in your team.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne

Two of the greatest players of cricket had also one of the greatest rivalries between them. One was the master of making the bowl spin as per his will while the other had the ability to play any of kind of ball and on any kind of wicket with such an ease that it made the viewers believe that how talented this batsman is.

It was a contest that millions of people were waiting to watch. Throughout his career, Sachin Tendulkar had totally dominated Warne in India and outside India. Sachin had dominated the best bowler of the world and showed the world that why he is the best. Shane Warne said that he would see nightmares and in his dreams will be Sachin smashing him for sixers over the top of his head. In short, Sachin had made the whole world say that East or West Sachin Tendulkar is the Best!!!