AB de Villiers vs Adam Gilchrist? Better ODI player?

[SLcric123]

Whom do you consider as a superior limited over player?

Both are destructive players and have the ability to turn the game.

While de Villiers has a better World Cup and bilateral record, Gilly won them two World Cup finals also by delivering one of the best performance in World Cup final 2007.

Discuss.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Gilly for now. AB may probably end up with better stats and all that but Gilly revolutionized the game and changed the wicket keeper role. Also, I don't hold any player higher than him in pressure situations, whereas AB, despite being my favourite RSA bat, chokes in pressure games usually.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Adam Gilchrist by a country mile.

 

[sajeebmcj]

Adam Gilchrist by a country mile.

gilchrist is the best limited overs batsman. even better than viv and sachin.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

gilchrist is the best limited overs batsman. even better than viv and sachin.

Gilly is a great batsman when you consider him as wicketkeeper batsman. As pure batsman his stats are not that impressive.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Devilliers is the better ODI batsman but I would take Gilchrist over him in my ODI team as opener + keeper batsman

 

[Sanzcool]

Pure batsman skills, ABD easily

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Pure batsman skills, ABD easily

There's a weird trend these days on PP. People are starting to underrate this ODI GOAT

 

[Rotoman]

ABD by a country mile. Gilchrist is the most over-rated ODI player by a long way. He didn't revolutionize anything. People fall into that drivel spewee by Australians far too easily. Kaluwitharana and Jayasuriya came before Gilchrist. You can say that he did it better but he was not a trailblazer. The only thing going for Gilchrist against ABD is that he's performed in a WC final.

 

[Ab Fan]

As a wkt- keeper batsmen, Gilchrist is by far the best ODI cricketer to have played the game.I certainly won't want AB to keep given the quality of fielding he has.

However, in terms of batsmenship, AB is clearly better than Gilly.

Gilly's knock of 149 in WC final vs SL is one of the greatest knocks in finals but apart from that he doesn't have a single century and just three fifties excluding minnows across all world cups to show for.

ABD,on other hand, has a 92 odd of 70 balls vs Mcgrath and co in World cup final apart from his craziest century vs WI at a devastating rate.

Gilly's overall career avg isn't that impressive either for an ATG batsmen although his SR makes up for it but then de Villiers also has a freaking SR at a brilliant avg of 50+.

 

[soso_killer]

Well Gilly has a terrible WC record but did well in the Finals his team carried him to.
AB has a great record in WC's with nothing to show for it however, so who would you rate?
Gilly, right?

Curiously who is better in Tests JP or Tendulkar? One has the stats the other actually won a series in Australia which could be argued is tougher than winning the WC.
Since it's inception in 75 the WC has had five different winners, Australia has been playing Tests for way longer yet only four teams have won a series there.

 

[Mamoon]

Gilchrist. AB de Villiers is the most overrated individual cricketer of all time. Can't be compared to the legends of the game.

 

[Haz95]

This should be interesting.

ABD isn't rated ATG because he is simply ok in World Cups but our friendly superhero Kohli who's awful in World Cups is rated better than some of the greatest ever batsmen to play the ODI game...

I'd rate them equal.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Abd

 

[Hasan123]

If it's on pure batting skill I'll take ABD.

 

[Square Drive]

Are we taking into account Gilchrist's WK abilities? If so, I'd go for him.

If not, I'd go for ABD.

 

[Thivagar]

ABD does well get to get away from bowlers he can't handle and pounce on lesser skilled bowlers. Can't play spin bowling when the bowler uses flight, mostly has to do with his technique.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Both are fantastic but I would pick Gilly due to him doing better in pressure games and also the fact that he is an opener. I will always rate an opener higher than someone who bats at 5. Besides that Gilly faced far better bowlers than AB while at his peak. Some of the great bowlers like Wasim Akram have stated he was one of the toughest to bowl to while AB has struggled against Shahid Afridi.

 

[The_Odd_One]

AB is easily a better batsman.

 

[Pakpak]

AB is the better batsman, I'd take him everytime.

 

[Convict]

Gilchrist

Always performed when it mattered.

 

[sajeebmcj]

Gilly is a great batsman when you consider him as wicketkeeper batsman. As pure batsman his stats are not that impressive.

gilly is better than ab by a country mile. then ovbviously he is better than viv and sachin by a long distance.

 

[Sachin136]

Gilchrist is very overrated in ODIs on here. AB is an one of the top 5-10 ODI batsmen of all time.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Just on batting alone, easily AB. There is not a single valid metric to rate Gilly higher as an ODI batsman.

Gilchrist gets overrated because he played in an ATG team and won a lot.


If Gilchrist is keeping and AB is not, then Gilly as the overall ODI player.

 

[Bilal7]

These are some really one-sided VS threads. First Amla and now AB.

Gilly was a good batsman who played ATG innings but he wasn't an ATG batsman. ABD in ODIs is the greatest of this generation and a surefire inclusion in any all-time XI.

 

[LegendAli]

Comparing a great in Gilchrist to ABD.

 

[Pollack]

Purely based on batting skills :
ABD > Gilly.
Overall utility:
Gilly > ABD but only just.

 

[Convict]

These are some really one-sided VS threads. First Amla and now AB.

Gilly was a good batsman who played ATG innings but he wasn't an ATG batsman. ABD in ODIs is the greatest of this generation and a surefire inclusion in any all-time XI.

Gilly would be one of the first players picked in an ATG team but ABD wouldn't make one.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Gilly would be one of the first players picked in an ATG team but ABD wouldn't make one.

Not entirely true. I would pick Gilly but some might pick dhoni and have 2 other great openers like tendulkar, Anwar, jayasuria etc

 

[Zak_Fan]

I am a Gilly fan, but will also have to admit that he is very overrated. AB is definitely superior.

 

[Protea Fan]

AB easily this is not even close imo

 

[street cricketer]

I always thought Gilchrist was better in test cricket than ODIs. His incredible test prowess makes people think of him in a similar vein in ODIs too, a bit like Sehwag.

AB is the better batsman in ODIs. He is one of the top 5 best ever ODI players. I would take Gilchrist easily in test cricket though. Was always a joy to watch him bat regardless of the format. Was one of the guys who made cricket cool during my childhood.

 

[anoop]

This should be interesting.

ABD isn't rated ATG because he is simply ok in World Cups but our friendly superhero Kohli who's awful in World Cups is rated better than some of the greatest ever batsmen to play the ODI game...

I'd rate them equal.

He still has two centuries in WC

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Adam Gilchrist is better

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

Gilly is quite overrated on this forum, ABD is one of the most complete odi batsman ever to play and he can play any shot that Gilly can play . Gilly was more usefull as a overall cricketer but as purely as batsman ABD is way ahead.

 

[Madplayer]

AB is an ATG in ODIs but considering overall skills i will pick gilly over him. What a player gilly was.

Even Gilly's 30s used to give Aussies an advantage during the match.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Gilcrist will be the first name on my all time test XI because he is so far ahead in the competition that it leaves no room for the selection of any other wicket keeper batsman. In ODIs however, it is not the same. Dhoni is a better overall ODI cricketer and even De Kock and Buttler might surpass Gilly. Sanga was also a better wicket keeper batsman in ODIs in his last 5 years.

 

[Red Devil]

Lol posters here would probably pick Grant Elliot over AB. Doesn't change the fact that AB's already in the top 5 greatest ODI players to ever play the game.

 

[ads101]

I think AB is a far better ODI batsman and one of the best ever (definitely top 5 ever in ODIs). World cups aren't the end all, and AB has done rather well in World Cups anyway. Cricket is a team effort, not his fault SA haven't been in a final or won a world cup.

Gilchrist is better than his 36 average suggests especially due to the fact he did perform in the latter stages in world cups, but I don't think that's enough to rank him with the best ODI batsmen (who average 50 at similar strike rates, e.g. Dhoni, Viv, Kohli.

 

[jeetu]

ABD is better ODI.

 

[Convict]

Lol posters here would probably pick Grant Elliot over AB. Doesn't change the fact that AB's already in the top 5 greatest ODI players to ever play the game.

Nonsense.

AB isn't even as good as Ponting who probably isn't in the top 5 greatest ODi players to ever play the game.

 

[street cricketer]

Nonsense.

AB isn't even as good as Ponting who probably isn't in the top 5 greatest ODi players to ever play the game.

Agree that Ponting is better.

But Ponting not in the top 5 ODI players ever?

Who would be your top 5 best ever in ODIs?

 

[Stallion__]

AB is a better batsman.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Adam Gilchrist, there is still no replacement for him in Baggy Green. Gilly is a legend

 

[Red Devil]

Nonsense.

AB isn't even as good as Ponting who probably isn't in the top 5 greatest ODi players to ever play the game.

Which 5 ODI batsmen are better than Ponting?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

If we are talking about pure batsmanship than the 5 greatest ever to play ODIs are :

Viv
Tendulkar
Ponting
AB
Kohli

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Nonsense.

AB isn't even as good as Ponting who probably isn't in the top 5 greatest ODi players to ever play the game.

Ponting is comfortably among the top 5 ODI bats ever. He is the 2nd name on that list for me after Viv

 

[marlonbrowndo]

If we are talking about pure batsmanship than the 5 greatest ever to play ODIs are :

Viv
Tendulkar
Ponting
AB
Kohli

Lara and Kohli are equal at this stage actually. Lara is underrated on PP in ODIs. He is an ODI ATG

 

[Madplayer]

Lara and Kohli are equal at this stage actually. Lara is underrated on PP in ODIs. He is an ODI ATG

Aliasad criticising aliasad's list. PP magic.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

AB has to be the better ODI player.

But that means zilch.

Because everyone will almost pick Gilchrist in ODI ATG team because of his keeping plus the fact he ALMOST ALWAYS performed when it mattered.

The more apt question is this:

Does being an ODI ATG mean anything at all, if you can't perform when it matters?

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

During awards , films released closer to the end of the year reaps more . Every year. It is all about what is in the recent memory.

 

[hussain123]

Adam gilchrist.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

For those underrating AB at World Cups, have a look at this:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...career_batting_average.html?id=12;type=trophy

He has the highest average of anyone who's played 20+ games in the WC. Let that sink in for a bit.

As for the thread, it's kind of pointless. Both are excellent players who would walk into any team of their day.

 

[Dead Ball]

The hypocrisy of some posters on this forum is astounding.

ABDV is better than Kohli in each and every aspect of ODI batting apart from run chases. Better performances in WC/Finals/against great bowlers/across all conditions etc.

But yet while Kohli is paraded around as a GOAT, ABDV somehow 'does not deliver when it matters most' and is unfairly brought down in such comparison threads.

ABDV is a better ODI batsman than Gilchrist. Both are great though.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Lara and Kohli are equal at this stage actually. Lara is underrated on PP in ODIs. He is an ODI ATG

Lara never won a world cup. As did so many great players:

Younis
Donald
Ambrose
Dravid
Anwar

Using the WC as some sort of a negative connotation towards AB is ridiculous. He's an excellent WC player and tried his damndest to win one.

 

[Dead Ball]

As a player overall i would take Gilly though.

I do not rate ABDV the test batsman too highly. In ODIs , he is arguably one of the best ever.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Gilly, he was one of the few batsmen who could smack any bowler for SIX regardless of how good or how fast they bowled............... ABD is not even on the same planet as Gilly.. GILLYY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ABD

 

[DRsohail]

Abd

i think u are wrong man....gilly has done enough to be better than abd....effective and clutch player..abd misses the clutch character..

 

[DRsohail]

Lara never won a world cup. As did so many great players:

Younis
Donald
Ambrose
Dravid
Anwar

Using the WC as some sort of a negative connotation towards AB is ridiculous. He's an excellent WC player and tried his damndest to win one.

bur he never capitalized the chance he got to win it for his country and gilly did it excellently..

 

[Ozymandiasza]

bur he never capitalized the chance he got to win it for his country and gilly did it excellently..

He was physically stopped from playing further due to the rain. Predicting a score from there would be impossible as it was AB batting. Yet, they still did it anyway. Regardless of the target, AB played an excellent innings.

If you're referring to his last innings anyway

 

[DRsohail]

He was physically stopped from playing further due to the rain. Predicting a score from there would be impossible as it was AB batting. Yet, they still did it anyway. Regardless of the target, AB played an excellent innings.

If you're referring to his last innings anyway

in 2011 ????? life will give u chances but u have to grab it...other t20 events icc events..yap he was excellent in 2015 semi but his captaincy was not up to the mark which is another topic....why was he going with 4 bowlers into such an important match..

 

[samplepiece]

Its incredible how underrated ABD is here. He is a failure only in comparison to the level he could have attained with his talent but if judged on the same metrics as other batsmen, he wipes floor with most.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

i think u are wrong man....gilly has done enough to be better than abd....effective and clutch player..abd misses the clutch character..

Yeah Gilly is clutch AFTER his team carried him to the finals where he performed. Check his WC and ICC knockout games record barring finals.

Average of 31 with 91 SR.

Not that bad considering the SR for his era but average is nothing great either.

Problem is his knockout games...

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...s;trophy=12;trophy=44;type=batting;view=match

8 games. Average of 21 with 86 SR.

Not even crossed 40 once.

If Gilly was playing for SA, he would be called a choker cos SA would have been knocked with him not scoring anything in those games.

Not saying Gilly is a choker (he will be regarded as clutch for scoring in 3 WC finals - one century and 2 50s) but if you keep flopping always and get taken to the finals where you score...that doesn't make you automatically better than someone:

1. Who has better career stats than you
2. Who has better tourney stats than you
3. Who has better knockout games stats than you
4. Who has failed in lesser knockout games than you

But with all being said, ABD has to prove himself in knockouts and do it properly just like Kohli has to.

If he flops...then perception will change. Right now, its in a bit of a limbo state.

 

[DRsohail]

Yeah Gilly is clutch AFTER his team carried him to the finals where he performed. Check his WC and ICC knockout games record barring finals.

Average of 31 with 91 SR.

Not that bad considering the SR for his era but average is nothing great either.

Problem is his knockout games...

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...s;trophy=12;trophy=44;type=batting;view=match

8 games. Average of 21 with 86 SR.

Not even crossed 40 once.

If Gilly was playing for SA, he would be called a choker cos SA would have been knocked with him not scoring anything in those games.

Not saying Gilly is a choker (he will be regarded as clutch for scoring in 3 WC finals - one century and 2 50s) but if you keep flopping always and get taken to the finals where you score...that doesn't make you automatically better than someone:

1. Who has better career stats than you
2. Who has better tourney stats than you
3. Who has better knockout games stats than you
4. Who has failed in lesser knockout games than you

But with all being said, ABD has to prove himself in knockouts and do it properly just like Kohli has to.

If he flops...then perception will change. Right now, its in a bit of a limbo state.

i dont know the details but people like us just folllow the knock out games too much and the perception develops from there...like ABD failed in 20o9 t 20wc semifinal..2014 semi..2011 quarter-final..2013 ct semifinal....specially when u are on the peak...and as a captain you have to criticise him for his 2015 semifinal...why did take a team with no allrounder.....???

 

[Mamoon]

The fact that the great Australian team didn't have soft players like de Villiers is pretty much the reason why it was such a great team, so I don't buy the reasoning that Gilchrist was carried by a great team unlike de Villiers.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

i dont know the details but people like us just folllow the knock out games too much and the perception develops from there...like ABD failed in 20o9 t 20wc semifinal..2014 semi..2011 quarter-final..2013 ct semifinal....specially when u are on the peak...and as a captain you have to criticise him for his 2015 semifinal...why did take a team with no allrounder.....???

T20 is a different ball game.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

i dont know the details but people like us just folllow the knock out games too much and the perception develops from there...like ABD failed in 20o9 t 20wc semifinal..2014 semi..2011 quarter-final..2013 ct semifinal....specially when u are on the peak...and as a captain you have to criticise him for his 2015 semifinal...why did take a team with no allrounder.....???

2011 QF - he was batting like a dream before being ran out by Faf.
2015 QF - didn't bat
2015 SF - he was batting like a dream again with 65* before rain came

SA's team composition in WC SF is a complicated matter. Huge controversy.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Look Gilly was a great opener and when he got going he took the game away from opposition in no time but he didn't score as big and as consistently as AB D, does.

I know in this forum old is gold and only performance in knockout of the world cups count but ABD has smashed all kinds of attacks all around the world, the emphasis thats put on knock out games here is way too much. Sure it would be an icing on the cake if he won SA the world cup or hit a ton in a SF clash but not doing so doesn't take away from his ATG status.

He's definitely better than Gilly whether he goes onto perform in the QF/SF/Final of the next CT/WCup or not.

 

[DRsohail]

T20 is a different ball game.

u came up with good reasons to believe ABD is better.....thats true but the fear in our minds when gilly was there just doesnt vanishes,,,........off the topic do u beieve that ABD did nt get it right not carrying AR to wc...he had enough time to make a good AR...and that was a big mistake f u see that semifinal result...

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

People underestimate how much it means to play for a good team.

If Yuvi didn't click in QF or Gambo & Dhoni didn't click in finals, Sachin would have no WC to his name.

Same way, if Aus team didn't click, Gilly would have 0 clutch ICC knockout performances.

But somehow these things get ignored when Gilly/Dhoni get compared to ABD.

ABD's position is not yet certain (he has stuff to prove) but its hard to deny that uptil now, he hasn't done too much wrong in 50 overs cricket.

Only failure is CT 2013 and let's be honest....every cricketer has a few failures like that.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

u came up with good reasons to believe ABD is better.....thats true but the fear in our minds when gilly was there just doesnt vanishes,,,........off the topic do u beieve that ABD did nt get it right not carrying AR to wc...he had enough time to make a good AR...and that was a big mistake f u see that semifinal result...

True but that's just one yardstick. Actual performances matter too.

As for AR, I haven't looked in SA composition so dunno. There are quota considerations to be met. ABD is a poor captain regardless of whether SA won or lost.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Look Gilly was a great opener and when he got going he took the game away from opposition in no time but he didn't score as big and as consistently as AB D, does.

I know in this forum old is gold and only performance in knockout of the world cups count but ABD has smashed all kinds of attacks all around the world, the emphasis thats put on knock out games here is way too much. Sure it would be an icing on the cake if he won SA the world cup or hit a ton in a SF clash but not doing so doesn't take away from his ATG status.

He's definitely better than Gilly whether he goes onto perform in the QF/SF/Final of the next CT/WCup or not.

Kohli has failed in pretty much every ODI knockout game in the world (barring a couple of 30s - ok CT finals was not a failure) yet the same yardsticks don't apply to him.

He may or may not succeed just like ABD.

Yes, Kohli's is infinitely more clutch than ABD in pressure moments but as of now, he hasn't performed yet he could be better than Sachin but somehow ABD is not even good enough for Dhoni/Gilly.

I mean, its totally possible for Kohli to click and ABD to flop in WC knockouts from now on but AS OF NOW, I am afraid I see great injustice meted out to ABD while Kohli is hailed as if he has already surpassed Tendu and Viv.

 

[Pollack]

The amount of importance attached to world cup and knockouts games performances is nauseating.

By all means they are important but that doesn't mean not to take into account batsman technique,his range of shots,his abilities,his clutch knocks not in WC while rating player. By current trends in PP only WC knockouts are decider. That should only be one important factor and not be all.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

How can you be so sure that if AUs team didn't click Gilly wouldn't as well.

The amount of importance attached to world cup and knockouts games performances is nauseating.

By all means they are important but that doesn't mean not to take into account batsman technique,his range of shots,his abilities,his clutch knocks not in WC while rating player. By current trends in PP only WC knockouts are decider. That should only be one important factor and not be all.

I meant in ICC knockouts.

Gilly failed. Someone from Aus team clicked and won the game. If they hadn't clicked, Aus would have been eliminated and there would be no WC finals for Gilly to play in.

Similarly, if SA bowlers had held their nerve, ABD would have got a crack at the WC finals where if he clicked, the entire perception of him would change.

Small things make a LOT of difference.

If we go BEYOND WCs or CTs, then ABD is almost invincible. He has scored in all conditions, against all bowlers, scored in tri series finals (against Aus), scored in deciders after coming in at 25-3...he has done it all.

 

[Pollack]

Thanks god Sachin performed great in all World Cups even if not in knockouts. Otherwise people here would have rated him below Sadagopan Ramesh. ) ) )

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I completely agree with all who say ICC knockouts (while important) are not the be all and end all.

That's why I consider Dhoni to be ATG ODI bat even though he pretty much flopped in all knockout games but one. However he did click in the greatest knockout that ever could be. Enough to be rated as ATG.

Same way, I consider ABD to be an amazing bat. ATG bat.

Where he truly stands amongst ATGs will be determined by his knockout performances.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

Thanks god Sachin performed great in all World Cups even if not in knockouts. Otherwise people here would have rated him below Sadagopan Ramesh. ) ) )

I feel he has got good records in knockout s

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The amount of importance attached to world cup and knockouts games performances is nauseating.

By all means they are important but that doesn't mean not to take into account batsman technique,his range of shots,his abilities,his clutch knocks not in WC while rating player. By current trends in PP only WC knockouts are decider. That should only be one important factor and not be all.

If Amla had SOMEHOW scraped up a knockout innings, he would have been declared better than Kohli in ODIs.

Hehe.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

I completely agree with all who say ICC knockouts (while important) are not the be all and end all.

That's why I consider Dhoni to be ATG ODI bat even though he pretty much flopped in all knockout games but one. However he did click in the greatest knockout that ever could be. Enough to be rated as ATG.

Same way, I consider ABD to be an amazing bat. ATG bat.

Where he truly stands amongst ATGs will be determined by his knockout performances.

So if somebody scores a 4 the innings hundred in his home conditions ,but is miserable away from home ,do u consider him ATG in tests?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

So if somebody scores a 4 the innings hundred in his home conditions ,but is miserable away from home ,do u consider him ATG in tests?

Tests are not like ODIs.

Tendulkar of 90s had a great record in Asia, poor record outside Asia and a great record in ICC tourneys.

I wouldn't trade Tendulkar of 90s with Tendulkar of 00s who had more balanced records in ODIs. No one would with or without looking at stats.

If a player clicks in tourneys and in Asia or Outside Asia....then not having all round records means nothing.

If tests have test championships, then importance of away knocks becomes slightly lesser (though not as much as in ODIs).