As the England vs India Test series of 2025 captures the cricketing world’s imagination, the age-old debate about India’s greatest batter has resurfaced. Former England stalwart Allan Lamb, who faced the best from India across three World Cups and 79 Tests, has weighed in with a definitive answer.
Former England player names his favourite batter between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli
Lamb’s preference for Sachin Tendulkar is rooted in both personal experience and cricketing respect. ‘Sachin easily,’ Lamb said to PTI, recalling the moment he inadvertently played a part in Tendulkar’s rise. “I played against him when he was 18. I dropped him at slip and he went on to get 100 (in a Test match). So I always say to him, it was me that made your name,” Lamb joked, highlighting the serendipity that sometimes shapes sporting legends.
Lamb’s admiration extends beyond a single incident. He explained his reasoning for placing Tendulkar ahead of both Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar: “Kohli is a brilliant player, he’s got all the shots, he can score quickly. But if you want the best player I played against, that Indian player is Sachin, even ahead of Sunny,” Lamb added, referencing Gavaskar by his nickname.
Lamb did express one regret: never seeing Tendulkar face the formidable West Indies pace attack of the 1980s, against whom Gavaskar famously thrived. “The only thing I would have liked was to see Sachin play against the West Indies, where Sunny scored runs against those quicks. He was probably the only Indian to score runs against those quicks,” Lamb reflected.
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The intangible legacy of Tendulkar and Kohli and his favourite Indian player
While statistics often dominate debates about cricketing greatness, Lamb’s verdict showcased the intangible qualities that define legends. Tendulkar’s career spanned 24 years, amassing over 34,000 international runs and 100 centuries, achievements that set the gold standard for consistency and excellence. Kohli, meanwhile, has broken several records, including surpassing Tendulkar’s tally of ODI centuries, and is celebrated for his aggressive approach, adaptability across formats, and ability to chase down daunting targets.
Yet, for Lamb, the distinction lies in the aura and impact of Tendulkar during his era—a time when conditions were tougher and bowlers more dominant. Kohli’s brilliance is undisputed, but Lamb’s firsthand encounters with a young Tendulkar left an indelible mark. “If you want the best player I played against, that Indian player is Sachin,” the former England cricketer reiterated.
Interestingly, Lamb’s all-time favourite Indian cricketer is not a batter but his former Northampton shire teammate, Kapil Dev. He fondly recalled Kapil’s confidence and versatility, saying, “I loved the way Kapil Dev played. We played together at Northampton… He said, ‘No, I haven’t come to strengthen my bowling. I’ve come to better my batting. I’ve come here as a batsman,’ which I always enjoyed,” Lamb concluded.
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