7 legendary batsmen and their golden runs

Aaron Finch spoke for cricket fans, experts and players alike in his appreciation of Virat Kohli’s unprecedented run of form during the IPL in particular, and in T20 for 2016 in general. Kohli amassed 973 runs at an average of 81 in this year’s IPL, outscoring the second best David Warner by a whopping 125 runs!

This, like Bradman’s tally of 974 vs England in 1930, may remain unbroken for many years. Even Kohli may find it difficult to surpass this tally because batsmen very seldom find form as unbelievable as this again through their playing careers.

But we as fans of the game are so overawed by one prolific streak that others slip out of memory. The memory wheel just keeps rolling this way. In this feature, we recollect 7 unbelievable batting triumphs which prove that batsmen have always been a peculiar, Gluttonous creature.

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#1 Ricky Ponting (Mar 2002 – Dec 2006) – Tests- 53, Runs- 6004, Avg- 75.05, Centuries- 24

Ponting averaged 75.05 over 53 test matches that he played in this period

As one of Australia’s batting bulwarks (Steve Waugh) was nearing the twilight of his career, another one was taking up his mantle and rising to the high sunshine of his career. By 2002, Ricky Ponting had established himself as a batsman of class and substance. He had collected 3235 runs at an average of 43.71, impressive, no matter which lens and angle one sees it through. But Ponting, one believes, wanted to carve a more definitive legacy for himself.

So, from 8 Mar 2002-1 Dec 2006, Ricky Ponting began a streak which merits comparison only with the greatest of all time. Ponting, during this period, was second only to Don Bradman in terms of highest average sustained over 52 test matches.

Ponting averaged 75.05 over 53 test matches that he played in this period, he also was scoring a century every 3.92 innings; approached only by Mohammad Yousuf (4.2). Cricinfo, in 2011, named Ponting as the player of the decade. No wonder why!