Gavaskar/Kapil or Boycott/Botham

[capt_Luffy]

So just as a fully direct comparison.

Botham vs Kapil, in the matches they played together.

In England (7 matches)
Botham 647 @ 80.87 3 tons 29 @ 27.31 3 5’fers
Kapil 337 @ 33.70 26 @ 35.92 2 5’fers

In India (7 matches)
Botham 554 @ 61.55 2 tons 30 @ 25.53 3 5’fers
Kapil 363 @ 51.85 1 ton 25 @ 36.80 2 5’fers

Damn..... Botham really bullied the weak Indian bowling.

 

[Coronis]

Damn..... Botham really bullied the weak Indian bowling.

Looks like he also bullied the stronger Indian batting.

 

[Coronis]

Though actually looking at the team’s overall figures across the span of those matches, its much closer both ways than you might expect.

England batting @ 26.98, bowling at 32.49
India batting @ 27.83, bowling @ 33.10

 

[capt_Luffy]

Looks like he also bullied the stronger Indian batting.

Too bad can't do anything to WI, with either discipline Look these are turning into just cheap chimes and I am not in the mood for those rn

 

[subshakerz]

Even with giving Kapil extra credit for tougher conditions I still feel Botham is a slightly better bowler. He was a worldclass bowler for his first 40 odd tests.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Even with giving Kapil extra credit for tougher conditions I still feel Botham is a slightly better bowler. He was a worldclass bowler for his first 40 odd tests.

And a no class for his last 40

 

[subshakerz]

And a no class for his last 40

Yeah but he had a much higher ceiling for a very long time.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Yeah but he had a much higher ceiling for a very long time.

And a much lower floor for as long as well

 

[subshakerz]

And a much lower floor for as long as well

Ok but like I said he is going to move the needle more in an average side to win games, whereas Kapils consistency isn't.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Ok but like I said he is going to move the needle more in an average side to win games, whereas Kapils consistency isn't.

And move the needle towards quite a few losses as well.....

 

[subshakerz]

And move the needle towards quite a few losses as well.....

I wager most of those losses happen even with Kapil on an average side. The wins don't.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I wager most of those losses happen even with Kapil on an average side. The wins don't.

I don't think so, Kapil has some crazy performances too, without being shitty for a large chunk of career

 

[subshakerz]

I don't think so, Kapil has some crazy performances too, without being shitty for a large chunk of career

Far less regularly though and fewer leading to wins. He lacked Botham's midas touch when he performed.

You need more than consistent journeyman performances for an average side to me.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Far less regularly though and fewer leading to wins. He lacked Botham's midas touch when he performed.

You need more than consistent journeyman performances for an average side to me.

I just don't want to carry half a times Keith Miller, other half Moeen Ali around. Don't think it's worth it personally. Single handed match winning is overrated, performing consistently and securing a close match to a win, that's just superior imho.

 

[Coronis]

I just don't want to carry half a times Keith Miller, other half Moeen Ali around. Don't think it's worth it personally. Single handed match winning is overrated, performing consistently and securing a close match to a win, that's just superior imho.

Botham at his best was definitely better than Miller.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Botham at his best was definitely better than Miller.

Botham at his best had similar numbers to Miller. Little higher on batting but also batted a spot or 2 lower. But yeah, he was better.

 

[capt_Luffy]

@Coronis glazing Botham is something I never understood...... He sounds exactly like the player you like to downgrade really.

 

[subshakerz]

Botham at his best had similar numbers to Miller. Little higher on batting but also batted a spot or 2 lower.

Much better bowler than Miller

 

[Bolo.]

Botham at his best was definitely better than Miller.

At his best, sure.

Over his best 50%... not so sure.

 

[Coronis]

Botham at his best had similar numbers to Miller. Little higher on batting but also batted a spot or 2 lower. But yeah, he was better.

Unlike Miller was also doing a lion’s share of the bowling.

@Coronis glazing Botham is something I never understood...... He sounds exactly like the player you like to downgrade really.

I’m an enigma.

At his best, sure.

Over his best 50%... not so sure.

That might depend if we go best 50% time wise or best 50% matchwise lol. I’d have to check