There isn’t a single or definite answer to the frequently asked question, “Who is the GOAT of cricket?” Cricket has changed over the years, with many updates, like better protective gear for batters, advanced technology for decision-making, and improved pitches and fielding rules.

All these changes have had a big impact on the performances of batters in each era, making it nearly impossible to settle the debate about “Who is the GOAT in cricket?” However, we can highlight the top players from different eras who could be considered for this title.

What is GOAT in Cricket?

GOAT stands for “Greatest of All Time,” a term that became widely popular on social media, especially in football with the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Deciding the GOAT in cricket isn’t as straightforward as it is in football, where goals are the main measure. For instance, Don Bradman played on rough pitches, Sir Vivian Richards faced the toughest bowlers on fast, bouncy surfaces, Sachin Tendulkar carried the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders for a decade, and Virat Kohli has been at the top in a commercialized era of cricket, excelling in all three formats.

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Who is the GOAT in Cricket?

Don Bradman

Widely regarded as the best batsman of the 20th century, Sir Don Bradman of Australia dominated during the 1930s and 1940s. His technique was unmatched, and his batting made every other player of his time seem inferior.

Bradman tamed even the strong English side, famously scoring 309 runs in a single day at Headingley. In the 1932-33 Ashes series, known as the bodyline series, England resorted to injuring players to stop Bradman and Australia.

He retired with an incredible 29 Test centuries in just 80 innings and fell just four runs short of achieving a career batting average of 100, ending at 99.94 after being dismissed for zero in his final innings.

Don Bradman’s Career Stats

Format	Matches	Runs	Best	Average	100s / 50s
Tests	52	6,996	334	99.94	29 / 13
First-Class	234	28,067	452*	95.14	117 / 69

Sir Vivian Richards
Often called cricket’s first superstar, Sir Vivian Richards was a West Indian powerhouse. Fans eagerly awaited his batting, sometimes hoping the opener would get out just to watch him play. With incredible strength and flawless technique, Richards had no clear weaknesses, making him nearly impossible to dismiss.

Standing at just 5’10”, his long reach made LBWs a rare possibility, and he hit the ball hard, scoring quickly, making him both an entertainer and a legend.

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Vivian Richards’ Career Stats

Format	Matches	Runs	Best	Average	100s / 50s
Tests	121	8,540	291	50.23	24 / 45
ODIs	187	6,721	189*	47	11 / 45
First-Class	507	36,212	322	49.4	114 / 162

Sachin Tendulkar
Widely considered India’s greatest batsman, Sachin Tendulkar was a cricketing genius. Though he didn’t play much T20 cricket, he was India’s top player in Tests and ODIs for over two decades. Tendulkar’s mastery of balance, movement, and stroke play set him apart.

Bradman once told his wife that Tendulkar’s batting reminded him of himself. By age 25, Tendulkar had already scored 16 Test centuries, and in 2000, he became the first player to reach 50 international centuries.

Sachin was also the first to score a double century in ODIs, achieved at the age of 36. He played in six World Cups, winning one and finishing as the tournament’s highest scorer. His record of 100 international centuries is unmatched.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Career Stats

Format	Matches	Runs	Best	Average	100s / 50s
Tests	200	15,921	248*	53.78	51 / 68
ODIs	463	18,426	200*	44.83	49 / 96
T20Is	1	10	10	10	0 / 0
First-Class	310	25,396	248*	57.84	81 / 116

Why is Virat Kohli Called the GOAT?

Virat Kohli is considered the GOAT not just for his performances, but also because he rose to prominence during the age of social media, where trends spread rapidly.

That said, Kohli’s skill is undeniable. He is arguably the best ODI batsman ever and earned the title of “Chase Master” for his outstanding ability to chase down targets. With a World Cup and an ICC Champions Trophy under his belt, Kohli has surpassed Tendulkar with the most ODI centuries.

Virat Kohli’s Career Stats

Format	Matches	Runs	Best	Average	100s / 50s
Tests	111	8,676	254*	49.29	29 / 29
ODIs	292	13,848	183	58.67	50 / 72
T20Is	115	4,008	122*	52.73	1 / 37

Known as the king of cricket, Kohli is the leading run-scorer in T20Is and has just one century fewer than Tendulkar in World Cups, despite playing in two fewer tournaments. His career is packed with records, many of which may never be broken. Beyond the stats, Kohli has inspired a new generation of fans and players with his aggressive, no-nonsense approach to the game.

He was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Decade and is India’s most successful Test captain by win percentage.

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Who is the GOAT of Cricket?