Statistical Comparison between Virender Sehwag and other great opening batsmen in Tests

In Victories

A batsman’s worth can be determined by how much he has helped his team win a match. Even if personal milestones are achieved every match, it does not mean a thing unless the team has won the match. Let’s look at how the openers have fared when their team has won:

Player	Matches (as opener)	Runs	Average	100/50s	Best
Virender Sehwag	41	3424	54.34	8/15	309
Sunil Gavaskar	22	1597	43.16	6/6	166
Gordon Greenidge	57	4643	55.27	14/18	226
Geoff Boycott	35	2950	54.62	10/10	246*
Matthew Hayden	71	6154	55.44	23/19	380
Graeme Smith	59	5171	62.30	18/20	259

After the significantly poor numbers overseas, Sehwag is back on track with his record in wins. His average shoots back up to 54.34, with eight centuries and 15 fifties in 41 matches. He has led India to several victories in the subcontinent, especially in crucial matches against Sri Lanka.

His knocks of 309 against Pakistan and 201* against Sri Lanka are one of the best innings by an Indian batsman. Gavaskar has relatively been quiet in India’s wins, his averages falling below his overall numbers. But he still has impressive stats, with six centuries and six fifties in 22 matches.

Gordon Greenidge has an excellent conversion rate, with 14 centuries and 18 half-centuries in 57 matches. He has been especially prolific in England, with 1329 runs in 12 wins.

Geoff Boycott averages 54.62 when England won, with centuries against every major team except South Africa. He had a particularly good time against India, against whom he averaged 85.50.

Matthew Hayden led Australia to victories against several teams, averaging above 40.00 against most of them. His lowest was against New Zealand, with only 25.00 in 7 games. The year 2003 was Hayden’s peak, as he scored 939 in 8 games, at an average of 104.33.

Graeme Smith’s average in wins is also much higher than his overall average, as it rises to 62.30. Smith has been at his best in South Africa, scoring at 54.50 and in England, scoring at 81.37. He also has centuries against all major teams excepting India, thanks to the wily Zaheer Khan. Smith averages more than 50.00 in every continent that he has played in, which is no mean feat.

Graeme Smith averages above 60 in wins, and above 50 in every continent

Sehwag’s averages in home and away wins are more or less the same, which shows his contribution to India’s victories in all sorts of conditions. His best year came in 2009, as he scored 448 runs in three wins, including 293 in Mumbai. It was after he scored 728 runs in six wins in 2008, and his feats in the two consecutive years helped India to the Number 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings soon after.

Once again, Sehwag’s strike rate stands supreme, as he has more than 80 against every team except Australia. His penchant for scoring quick runs was especially useful in Chennai 2008, as he scored a quick-fire 83 to help India chase down 387 against England.

But once again, Matthew Hayden takes the prize for most sixes in wins, scoring 51 to Sehwag’s 50. Sehwag is undoubtedly at his best in the first innings, averaging 64.22, when compared to just 37.17 in the second innings. He has been especially prolific in the Border-Gavaskar Series, contributing 602 runs in nine victories, with four half-centuries.

Final Say

Once Gavaskar’s reign ended, India was looking for another opening superstar. The West Indies had Greenidge, England had Boycott and Australia had Marsh, Boon and then Hayden.

India was still looking for that one man who could change a match with his batting at the top of the order. Thanks to Sourav Ganguly, they got Virender Sehwag. Making a name for himself with his big hitting, Sehwag quickly made giant strides in Tests, scoring a century on debut. He followed it up with a 130 in Mohali, a 195 in Melbourne and then the mighty 309 in Multan. India had got themselves an opener, and Sehwag was set to be one of the best.

It is usually when cricketers are under pressure that they fail. But Sehwag thrived under pressure. He made it his business to get big hundreds, with another famous 254 against Pakistan and then his second triple, a 319 against the dangerous South Africans.

He also played the innings of his life in Galle, scoring 201* and carrying the bat as India won the match to square the series 1-1. He almost became the first man in the history of the game to score three triple-centuries but fell an agonizing seven runs short, victim to his own aggressive tendencies.

309, 319 and 201 not out – three of Sehwag’s peaks

Between the match-winning centuries were crucial stands also – his 83 against England in Chennai being a prime example of how a quick start can change a game on its head. His 151 in Adelaide, still his only fourth innings century, proved that he could bat when the chips were down, and he salvaged a face-saving draw for India. Even though a bulk of Sehwag’s centuries only ended in draws – 12 out of 23 – he is still remembered as India’s best ever entertainer.

Standing 5th in the list of highest runs scored by an opener in tests, Sehwag looks set to stay there for a while. As he is set to announce his retirement from international cricket, the world is poorer for it. India will miss his fiery starts and boundaries to reach centuries, as Sehwag fades as one of India’s best ever openers.