WI bashing aside it’s tough to make a case for him as an ATG bat imo.
Tests vs top six - 6.8k runs at 42.8 with 16 tons in 169 innings
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Even if you give him some leeway for opening the batting in SA (minus WI and minnows where he averaged just over 34 in 84 innings btw) it’s still not good reading as far as ATG bats are concerned imo. Yes he did play some famous match/series winning knocks so he should get extra points there no doubt but it has to be said that he was also very fortunate to have played in such a strong team for those knocks to have actually amounted to something.
ODIs excluding minnows - 5.4k runs at under 35 striking at a bit over 79 with 8 tons in 161 innings
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Just a single ton in ICC tourneys (excluding minnows) in 35 innings (in CT) and 4 50s (3 WC plus 1 CT). All in all a fairly average LOI record at best with nothing much to show for it.
So taking all that into consideration he ends up just below ATG level for mine alongside guys like Sehwag, KP, Hayden etc.