I have been following cricket long enough to know that words like “legend” and “icon” get thrown around almost every other week. Some batter hits a triple hundred, or some bowler rattles off five wickets, and everyone’s calling them the next big thing. But the phrase godfather of cricket that’s in a league of its own.
That’s not a label you can slap on anyone after one glorious season. It’s something you earn over decades, through grit, brilliance, and a touch of something you can’t quite define. Let’s be honest: even among cricket enthusiasts, people don’t always agree on who deserves that title.
But there are certain qualities almost everyone looks for when they talk about the godfather of cricket. So let’s walk through what sets this rare breed apart, remember the men who’ve been given that honor, and maybe daydream a little about who could be next in line.
What Criteria Are Used to Determine the Godfather of Cricket?
If you asked ten cricket lovers this question over a cup of chai, you’d probably get ten different answers. That’s part of the beauty of cricket: it’s subjective, it’s emotional, and it stirs something deep in people. But even so, a few qualities come up again and again when trying to define what makes someone the godfather of cricket.
1. Skill That Leaves You Speechless
This goes without saying: you don’t get to be the godfather without staggering ability. Whether it’s batting that looks almost superhuman or bowling that leaves even the best batters fumbling, the godfather plays the game on a different level.
2. Decade-Spanning Consistency
Anyone can hit a purple patch for a couple of seasons. The true greats do it for 15 or 20 years. Through injuries, form slumps, new generations of competitors, they still show up and deliver, again and again.
3. Records That Feel Untouchable
Sure, cricket isn’t just about stats, but when someone has records that stand for decades, it’s impossible to ignore. That’s how you end up with names etched in cricket folklore.
4. Changing the Game
Some players don’t just master cricket they reinvent it. Maybe they pioneer a new style, change how people approach the sport, or inspire millions of kids to pick up a bat or ball.
5. Dignity and Character
People sometimes forget this part, but it matters enormously. The godfather commands respect. He doesn’t just win matches, he wins hearts. There’s something about the way he carries himself that sets him apart.
6. That Unmistakable Aura
This is the hardest thing to pin down. Call it charisma, call it presence, call it magic. It’s the feeling you get when you see them walk out: a hush falls over the crowd, and everyone leans forward, thinking, “We might be about to witness history.”
7. A Global Impact
The Godfather’s appeal is not limited to one country. They earn fans worldwide. Even people who don’t follow cricket know their name.
8. Unmatched Records
Stats don’t lie. Runs, wickets, centuries, averages, whatever the metric, the Godfather isn’t just among the best. He sets the benchmark.
Cricketers Considered As Godfathers Of Cricket
When you look back over cricket’s long and colourful history, only a handful of names come up again and again in this conversation. Different people have their favourites, but a few figures are simply impossible to leave out.
1. Sir Donald Bradman
I don’t think any serious cricket fan can start this list anywhere else. Bradman’s Test average 99.94 is the sort of number you’d expect to find in a video game. He wasn’t just good, he was so far ahead of his peers it almost feels unfair.
Even now, over 70 years since he played his last innings, no batter has come close to that level of dominance. Some call him the greatest sportsman, not just cricketer, of all time. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with the idea that he was the first true godfather of cricket.
2. Sir Garfield Sobers
If Bradman set the bar for batting, Sobers raised it for all-rounders. He could bat with grace or ferocity, bowl seam-up or spin depending on what the moment demanded, and field as though he had springs in his shoes. In some ways, he was cricket’s first true superstar, someone you paid the price of admission just to see.
3. W.G. Grace
I always think of Grace as the man who turned cricket from a gentleman’s hobby into something much closer to the modern sport. He was larger than life (in every sense, have you seen those old photos?) and dominated the game so completely that he became a celebrity before sports celebrities really existed.
4. Sir Vivian Richards
Richards had swagger before swagger was a thing. He didn’t wear a helmet because, in his own words, he did not want anything to cramp his style. He played with a fearlessness that inspired a generation of West Indian cricketers and terrified bowlers around the world.
5. Sir Sachin Tendulkar
If you grew up in the ’90s or 2000s, you probably don’t even need an explanation. Tendulkar was cricket’s heartbeat. He debuted as a teenager and spent more than two decades carrying the hopes of over a billion fans. His record of 100 international centuries is the kind of milestone that may never be broken.
But beyond numbers, there was just something about Sachin, a humility that made people love him all the more. Many believe that if there ever was a modern godfather of cricket, it was him.
6. Sir Jack Hobbs
They called him “The Master” for a reason. Hobbs’ classical technique and mountain of runs set the template for generations of openers. His career spanned before and after World War I, and even today, purists tip their hat to his contribution.
Every one of these cricketers brought something unique to the game. In their time, each felt like the undisputed godfather of cricket.
Who Can Be The Next Godfather Of Cricket?
This is where it gets tricky. Cricket today is so different from what it was even 20 years ago. T20 leagues, constant travel, social media scrutiny modern players live in a fishbowl. But a few names still stand out as contenders.
1. Virat Kohli
He is not just a great batsman; he’s a force of nature. Whether he is smashing a chase in a World Cup or grinding out a hundred in a Test, he’s always at the centre of things. His fitness and passion have inspired countless young cricketers, and he already has the runs and records to back it up. If anyone from this era could someday be called the godfather of cricket, he’d be high on the list.
2. Steve Smith
Smith’s journey from promising leg-spinner to the most prolific Test batsman since Bradman is something you couldn’t script. His quirky technique and endless concentration have made him a nightmare for bowlers everywhere.
3. Kane Williamson
If Kohli is fire, Williamson is ice. Calm, unflappable, and always composed, he’s quietly amassed a mountain of runs and led New Zealand to some of their finest moments.
4. Joe Root
Root often feels a little underappreciated, but his record is spectacular. He’s been England’s rock, especially in Test cricket, and his hunger for big scores hasn’t dimmed.
5. Babar Azam
Still in his prime, Babar has already shown he belongs in the conversation. His elegant batting and consistency across formats have made him Pakistan’s shining hope.
It remains to be seen whether any of these modern stars will ultimately be hailed as the next godfather of cricket. But watching their journeys unfold is part of what keeps the sport so compelling.
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Final Thoughts
The truth is, the godfather of cricket isn’t just a player who scored the most or lifted the most trophies. It’s someone who connected with people on a deeper level. Someone who made you fall in love with cricket all over again. That’s why, even decades later, we still talk about Bradman and Grace and Sobers.
Who will be next to join their ranks? Time will tell. But for now, all we can do is watch, cheer, and savor the magic of a game that never stops giving us new heroes.