Cricket fans always debate who deserves to be called the Godfather of Cricket? It’s not an official title, but it’s a huge honour. It’s not just about runs, wickets or trophies; it’s about influence, leadership and how a player shapes the game for the next generation.
The Godfather of Cricket is someone who plays for the game, not just for personal achievements. He leads by example, inspires millions and leaves a lasting legacy. It’s more than just stats – it’s about influence, dedication and a never-ending passion for the game.
So, in 2025, who will be best suited for this title? Is it a cricket legend who has ruled for years, or a modern-day icon who is changing the game with his style and dominance? Let’s analyse it and see who is the true leader of cricket this year.
Know About Godfather of Cricket in the World
#3 Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
If there’s one cricketer who truly earned the title of Godfather of Test Cricket, it’s Sir Garfield Sobers. Born to change the game, Garfield St Aubrun Sobers wasn’t just a player—he was a revolution. At 88 years old, his legacy still echoes through the cricketing world.
Imagine a guy who could bat like a dream, bowl in different styles, and field like a beast—that was Sobers. His left-handed batting was pure class, but what made him legendary was his ability to dominate any attack. Back in 1958, when he smashed 365 not out against Pakistan*, he didn’t just break records—he set new standards. That knock stood as the highest Test score for 36 years!
And let’s talk about his bowling. He wasn’t just a left-arm pacer; he could also spin the ball, making him a nightmare for batters. Whether it was pace, swing, or spin, he had it all. Add to that his insane fielding skills, and you had a cricketer who could do literally everything.
But Sobers wasn’t just about stats. He put West Indies cricket on the map, inspiring an entire generation to believe they could dominate world cricket. His swagger, fearless approach, and sheer love for the game made him an icon. Even today, when we talk about the greatest all-rounders ever, his name comes first. That’s why he’s the Godfather of Test Cricket—no debate!
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Garfield St Aubrun Sobers |
| Born | July 28, 1936, Chelsea Road, Bay Land, St Michael, Barbados |
| Age | 88y 215d |
| Also Known As | Sir Garry Sobers |
| Batting Style | Left-hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Left-arm Fast Medium, Slow Left-arm Orthodox, Left-arm Wrist Spin |
| Playing Role | Allrounder |
| Height | 5ft 11in |
| Relations | DAJ Holford (Cousin) |
| Teams | West Indies, Barbados, Nottinghamshire, South Australia |
Sir Garfield Sobers Batting Stats/Records
| Title | 1954-1974 |
|---|---|
| Matches (Mat) | 93 |
| Innings (Inns) | 160 |
| Not Out (NO) | 21 |
| Runs | 8032 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 365* |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 57.78 |
| Centuries (100s) | 26 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 30 |
| Ducks (0s) | 12 |
Sir Garfield Sobers Bowling Stats/Records
| Title | 1954-1974 |
|---|---|
| Matches (Mat) | 93 |
| Innings (Inns) | 159 |
| Balls Bowled | 21,599 |
| Runs Conceded | 7,999 |
| Wickets (Wkts) | 235 |
| Best Bowling in Innings (BBI) | 6/73 |
| Best Bowling in Match (BBM) | 8/80 |
| Bowling Average (Avg) | 34.03 |
| Economy Rate (Econ) | 2.22 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 91.9 |
| 5-Wicket Hauls (5w) | 6 |
| 10-Wicket Hauls (10w) | 0 |
Top Records/Achievments
- 8th Most consecutive matches as captain (39)
- 3rd Most runs in an innings (by batting position) (365*)
- 7th Most fifties in consecutive innings (6)
- 2nd Fastest to 6000 runs (111 innings)
- 2nd Best economy rate in an innings (0.21)
- 8th Most catches in a match (6)
- Achieved 100 runs & 5 wickets in an innings
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#2 Viv Richards (West Indies)
When cricket fans talk about the Godfather of Cricket, one name that always comes up is Viv Richards. Born Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, his name might be long, but his impact on the game is even bigger. At 72 years old, his influence on world cricket—especially West Indies cricket—still stands strong.
Playing for West Indies, Richards wasn’t just another batter—he was a game-changer. With his right-handed batting, he didn’t just score runs; he destroyed bowling attacks with unmatched confidence. He walked in without a helmet, chewing gum, staring down bowlers like he owned the game. His fearless style made him stand out, earning him the reputation of a true Godfather of Cricket.
While batting was his biggest strength, he also contributed with right-arm slow bowling, proving his all-round abilities. But his real legacy lies in how he shaped West Indies cricket, leading them to dominance in the 1970s and ’80s. He played a key role in making the team unstoppable, inspiring young cricketers to play bold, attacking cricket.
More than trophies and records, Richards gave West Indies its identity—swagger, aggression, and pure dominance. He wasn’t just a legend; he was the heartbeat of an era. Even today, his name stands tall as the Godfather of Cricket, a player who changed the game forever.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards |
| Born | March 07, 1952, St John’s, Antigua |
| Age | 72y 358d |
| Also Known As | Sir Viv Richards |
| Batting Style | Right-hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Slow, Right-arm Offbreak |
| Playing Role | Batting Allrounder |
| Relations | MA Richards (Son), D Richards (Half-brother), M Richards (Brother) |
| Other | Coach |
| Teams | West Indies, Combined Islands, Glamorgan, Leeward Islands, Queensland, Somerset |
Viv Richards Batting Stats in ODI & Test
| Stat | Test Cricket (1974-1991) | ODI Cricket (1975-1991) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (Mat) | 121 | 187 |
| Innings (Inns) | 182 | 167 |
| Not Out (NO) | 12 | 24 |
| Runs | 8540 | 6721 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 291 | 189* |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 50.23 | 47.00 |
| Balls Faced (BF) | — | 7451 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | — | 90.20 |
| Centuries (100s) | 24 | 11 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 45 | 45 |
| Ducks (0s) | 10 | 7 |
Viv Richards Bowling Stats in ODI & Test
| Stat | Test Cricket (1974-1991) | ODI Cricket (1975-1991) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (Mat) | 121 | 187 |
| Innings (Inns) | 103 | 131 |
| Balls Bowled | 5170 | 5644 |
| Runs Conceded | 1964 | 4228 |
| Wickets (Wkts) | 32 | 118 |
| Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI) | 2/17 | 6/41 |
| Best Bowling in a Match (BBM) | 3/51 | — |
| Bowling Average (Avg) | 61.37 | 35.83 |
| Economy Rate (Econ) | 2.27 | 4.49 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 161.5 | 47.8 |
| 4-Wicket Hauls (4w) | 0 | 1 |
| 5-Wicket Hauls (5w) | 0 | 2 |
| 10-Wicket Hauls (10w) | 0 | — |
#1 Sir Donald Bradman (Australia)
If cricket had a blueprint for greatness, it would be Sir Donald Bradman. Known as “The Don”, he wasn’t just the best batter of his era—he was the foundation on which modern cricket was built. Born Donald George Bradman, he played for Australia and became the face of the sport, setting records that still seem untouchable.
Bradman was a right-handed batsman with a batting average of 99.94 in Test cricket—an unreal number that no one has come close to breaking. His technique was flawless, his reflexes razor-sharp, and his hunger for runs unmatched. Whether it was footwork, precision, or shot selection, he made batting look effortless. Though mainly known for his batting, he also bowled leg-break spin, showing his versatility on the field.
But Bradman wasn’t just about stats—he defined Australian cricket. In a time when the world was struggling through the Great Depression, his performances gave hope and pride to an entire nation. He transformed Australia into a cricketing powerhouse and inspired generations to follow.
Even today, every young cricketer dreams of achieving a fraction of what Bradman did. His influence is beyond numbers—he is, without a doubt, the Godfather of Cricket, the player who set the gold standard for the game.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Donald George Bradman |
| Born | August 27, 1908, Cootamundra, New South Wales |
| Died | February 25, 2001, Kensington Park, Adelaide, South Australia (aged 92y 182d) |
| Also Known As | Sir Donald Bradman |
| Nicknames | The Don |
| Batting Style | Right-hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Legbreak |
| Height | 5ft 7in |
| Teams | Australia, New South Wales, South Australia |
Sir Donald Bradman Batting Stats in ODI & Test
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Span | 1928-1948 |
| Matches (Mat) | 52 |
| Innings (Inns) | 80 |
| Not Out (NO) | 10 |
| Runs | 6996 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 334 |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 99.94 |
| Centuries (100s) | 29 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 13 |
| Ducks (0s) | 7 |
Sir Donald Bradman Bowling Stats in ODI & Test
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Span | 1928-1948 |
| Matches (Mat) | 52 |
| Innings (Inns) | 9 |
| Balls Bowled | 160 |
| Runs Conceded | 72 |
| Wickets (Wkts) | 2 |
| Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI) | 1/8 |
| Best Bowling in a Match (BBM) | 1/15 |
| Bowling Average (Avg) | 36.00 |
| Economy Rate (Econ) | 2.70 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 80.0 |
| 5-Wicket Hauls (5w) | 0 |
| 10-Wicket Hauls (10w) | 0 |
Top Records/Achievments
- Most runs in a series by a captain – 1st place (810 runs)
- Highest career batting average – 1st place (99.94)
- Scored a hundred in each innings of a match
- 99 not out (and 199, 299 etc.) – Recorded 299
- Scored a hundred and a duck in the same match
- Most fours in an innings – 3rd place (46 fours)
- Fastest to 6000 runs – 1st place (68 innings)
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Know about Godfather of Cricket in IPL
#3 Chris Gayle (RCB, PBKS)
Chris Gayle is the Most valuable and powerfull player in the IPL or T20 cricket history. he starts the IPL with sixes to sixes. and always attract cricket fans. He is not any caption role but only fun with bat and always target the bowler and show air show.
Chris Gayle Stats in IPL overall
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Year | Career |
| Matches (Mat) | 142 |
| Not Out (NO) | 16 |
| Runs | 4965 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 175* |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 39.72 |
| Balls Faced (BF) | 3333 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 148.96 |
| Centuries (100s) | 6 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 31 |
| Fours (4s) | 405 |
| Sixes (6s) | 357 |
| Catches (CT) | 29 |
| Stumpings (ST) | 0 |
#2 Rohit Sharma (MI)
Rohit Sharma is also godfather of ipl because he is caption of Mumbai Indians last some sesion. and win ipl trophies. he is the indian cricket team caption also. and some international title also for the indian team. and now we are talking about ipl stats of rohit sharma. Mumbai Indians have IPL titles – “Champions (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)”.
Rohit Sharma Stats in IPL overall
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| IPL Titles | 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) |
| Matches (Mat) | 257 |
| Not Out (NO) | 29 |
| Runs | 6628 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 109* |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 29.72 |
| Balls Faced (BF) | 5054 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 131.14 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 43 |
| Fours (4s) | 599 |
| Sixes (6s) | 280 |
| Catches (CT) | 101 |
| Stumpings (ST) | 0 |
#1 MS Dhoni (CSK)
Cricket fans always say – MS Dhoni is the best cricketer in india. because dhoni shape the cricket in india. and much more change or experments in indian cricket. and also get results as the some international trophies and ipl. Also dhoni know as “Best Finisher in the World“. Chennai Super Kings have IPL Titles – “Champions (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)”.
MS Dhoni Stats in IPL overall
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| IPL Titles | 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) |
| Matches (Mat) | 264 |
| Not Out (NO) | 95 |
| Runs | 5243 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 84* |
| Batting Average (Avg) | 39.13 |
| Balls Faced (BF) | 3812 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 137.54 |
| Centuries (100s) | 0 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 24 |
| Fours (4s) | 363 |
| Sixes (6s) | 252 |
| Catches (CT) | 152 |
| Stumpings (ST) | 42 |
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1. Who is called the Godfather of Cricket in the world and why?
Sir Donald Bradman is widely regarded as the Godfather of Cricket due to his unmatched batting average of 99.94 in Test cricket. His dominance, technique, and influence shaped the game, setting benchmarks for future generations.
2. Why is Sir Donald Bradman considered the Godfather of Test cricket?
Bradman revolutionized Test cricket with his precise shot selection and aggressive run-scoring, making him the most dominant batter in history. His records remain untouched, solidifying his legacy as the greatest cricketer ever.
3. How did Sir Garfield Sobers influence cricket as the Godfather of all-rounders?
Sir Garfield Sobers redefined the all-rounder role with his batting, bowling, and fielding excellence. His ability to dominate in multiple aspects of the game made him a legend in West Indies cricket and an inspiration worldwide.
4. Who is known as the Godfather of Indian cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar is hailed as the Godfather of Indian cricket for his record-breaking international career, where he became the highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, inspiring an entire generation of cricketers.
5. How did Sachin Tendulkar earn the title of India’s Godfather of Cricket?
Tendulkar’s longevity, consistency, and historic achievements, including 100 international centuries, established him as the most influential figure in Indian cricket history.
6. Which Indian cricketer has had the biggest impact on shaping modern cricket?
MS Dhoni revolutionized cricket with his cool captaincy, power-hitting, and finishing ability, leading India to multiple ICC trophies and making the sport even more popular.
7. Who is called the Godfather of IPL cricket and what makes him legendary?
MS Dhoni is often regarded as the Godfather of IPL for his leadership, consistency, and match-winning performances, making Chennai Super Kings (CSK) one of the most successful franchises.
8. Which player has dominated the IPL the most to be called its Godfather?
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in IPL history, consistently dominating the league with unmatched batting performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
9. How has MS Dhoni’s leadership earned him the title of IPL’s Godfather?
Dhoni’s tactical brilliance, cool-headed approach, and ability to finish games made CSK a five-time IPL champion, earning him a legendary status in the league.
10. Which IPL captain has influenced the league’s success the most?
Rohit Sharma, as the most successful IPL captain with five trophies for Mumbai Indians, played a key role in shaping the league’s competitive spirit and success.
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