In any game, the argument over who holds the title of the “Greatest of All Time” — or the GOAT — is never forthright. In cricket, this debate is even more covered, given the game’s many arrangements, generational changes, and the development of playing conditions. From Sir Don Bradman to Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar to Muttiah Muralitharan, Jacques Kallis to MS Dhoni — the candidates for the cricketing GOAT come from different eras, countries and formats. So, who truly earns the crown?
To answer this, we need to consider a few things: impact, longevity, records, versatility across formats, and influence on the game globally.
1: Sir Donald Bradman – The Undisputed Titan
Any GOAT conversation that doesn’t start with Sir Donald Bradman is incomplete.
Stats:
- Test average: 99.94
- 6,996 runs in just 52 Tests
- 29 centuries
Bradman’s numbers are almost legendary. His average of 99.94 in Test cricket is the gold standard an arithmetical outlier that has never been at all approached. Bradman conquered an era without modern tackle, no helmets, poor pitches, and dangerous bowling conditions. While he only played Tests (since ODIs and T20s didn’t exist in his time), his impact on cricket is unparalleled. He alone elevated Australia’s global cricketing stature and became the game’s first superstar.
But can a player who never played white-ball cricket still be measured the GOAT in today’s three-format landscape? The counterargument is that greatness must be judged relative to one’s era and Bradman was, quite simply, light-years gaining of his peers.
2: Sachin Tendulkar – The Global Icon
Stats:
- 200 Tests, 100 international centuries
- Over 34,000 international runs
- Played from age 16 to 40
- ODI World Cup winner (2011)
If cricket had a face for over two periods, it was Sachin Tendulkar’s. Nicknamed the “Little Master,” Tendulkar carried the weight of a billion people’s hopes with grace and humility. He debuted at just 16 and ended his career with records that may never be broken 100 centuries crossways set-ups and the most runs in both Tests and ODIs.
What makes Tendulkar’s claim to GOAT status so convincing isn’t just his statistical dominance it’s the setting. He performed against the best attacks in the world, often with little support, especially in the 1990s. His technique was perfect and his discipline unmatched. He adapted across three periods of changing cricket styles and formats.
3: Jacques Kallis – The Complete Cricketer
Stats:
- 10,000+ runs and 200+ wickets in both Tests and ODIs
- 45 Test hundreds
- Arguably the greatest all-rounder in modern cricket
Often undervalued in GOAT conversations, Jacques Kallis is perhaps the most complete cricketer the game has seen. With the bat, he was as solid as Rahul Dravid. With the ball, he was a genuine layer option. Kallis brought balance to the South African team for over a period.
All-rounders hardly maintain choice levels in both disciplines, but Kallis did it for nearly two decades. His ability to win matches with moreover bat or ball gives him a unique edge in the GOAT debate.
4: Muttiah Muralitharan – The Spin Wizard
Stats:
- 800 Test wickets (most in history)
- 534 ODI wickets
- Played over 130 Tests and 350 ODIs
Muttiah Muralitharan redefined what a spinner could achieve. His record of 800 Test wickets is a astounding testament to his permanency, skill and match-winning ability. He tortured batsmen on all surfaces and led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for nearly two decades.
Though his action was contentious at times, Murali proved himself across the globe, often bowling marathon spells in cruel conditions. He was both feared and respected, turning many games single-handedly. In terms of sheer impact with the ball, he might be the GOAT among bowlers.
5: MS Dhoni – The Captain Cool
Stats:
- Only captain to win all three ICC white-ball trophies (T20 WC 2007, ODI WC 2011, Champions Trophy 2013)
- Over 10,000 ODI runs at an average of 50+
- Iconic finisher and tactical genius
Dhoni’s inclusion in this conversation is less about raw statistics and more about leadership, legacy and cool-headed grasp performances. He redefined finishing in limited-overs cricket and built one of the most successful cricketing families in Indian cricket history.
Under his captaincy, India climbed to No. 1 in Tests, won two World Cups, and became a powerhouse in all formats. His ability to keep calm under pressure and his vivid tactical decisions set him apart from most generations.
6: Virat Kohli – The Modern Day Machine
Stats (as of 2025):
- Over 80 international centuries
- One of the few players to average 50+ in all three formats
- ICC titles, consistent across formats for 15+ years
Virat Kohli’s career is a masterclass in consistency and passion. He has flourished across all formats, under all conditions and against all attacks. What makes Kohli special is his ability to switch gears contingent on the format classical in Tests, dominant in ODIs, and explosive in T20s.
Off the field, he brought a new level of fitness and aggression to the Indian team. His record-chasing abilities and starvation for runs have already earned him comparisons to Tendulkar and in white-ball cricket, many argue he has even surpassed the Master Blaster.
Honorable Mentions
- Brian Lara – The most elegant batsman with a record 400* in Tests and 501* in first-class cricket
- Shane Warne – Revolutionized leg-spin and won countless Tests for Australia
- Kumar Sangakkara – Over 28,000 international runs, master technician
- Ricky Ponting – Dominant captain and batsman in Australia’s golden era
- AB de Villiers – The 360-degree batsman who redefined innovation
- Wasim Akram – Arguably the greatest left-arm bowler in history
The Verdict: Can We Choose Just One?
The truth is, cricket has evolved so much across formats that it may not be possible to crown one true GOAT.
- For pure statistical supremacy and legacy, Sir Donald Bradman stands alone.
- For all-format dominance and influence, Virat Kohli is leading the modern charge.
- For longevity and statistical consistency, Sachin Tendulkar arguably has the most complete resume.
- For bowling, Muralitharan remains the acknowledged king.
- For captaincy and impact, MS Dhoni’s legacy is unmatched.
Conclusion
So, who is the GOAT of cricket?
If we go by numbers and impact in their respective eras, the answer could be Sir Donald Bradman. But if we consider the modern, all-format nature of the game, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli make the strongest cases.
Ultimately, the GOAT title may not belong to just one cricketer but to a handful of legends who defined their generations. Cricket is richer for their brilliance and fans are lucky to have saw such a group of stars.
