Mohammad Azharuddin vs VVS Laxman - Who was the better batsman?

[Ted123]

Two middle order batsmen from India batted at similar positions. I think both are also from same city. Two players very elegant and stylish to watch.

Both have similar averages in test cricket also. Who do you think was a better test batter? I would personally go with VVS for his performance vs Australia.

Discuss!

 

[Ab Fan]

VVS Laxman was much better. As good a spin player as Azhar but far far better against short pitch stuffs. Incredible player under crisis and a magician with the bat.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Laxman without question.

Azhar was a bit mentally suspect under pressure and arguably underachieved at test level given the talent that he possessed.

Limited overs cricket would be a different story though.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Laxman. Azhar was perhaps (by a shade) the better looking batsmen, but it's hard to overlook Laxman given his performance under pressure.

 

[liam26]

Azhar overall because he could play both formats of the game unlike VVS.

VVS a better Test batsman due to knocks played against under pressure.

 

[jeetu]

Laxman was better test batsman , but much poorer than Azhar in ODI's.

 

[Zaz]

Overall it has to be azhar Tests is debateable but azhar was much better in odis

Plus he was a great fielder \ catcher too

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar was a much better ODI player than Laxman. In tests there is a debate potentially about who was better.

I'll go with VVS just.

 

[Saurav]

VVS.Much better under pressure

 

[gazza619]

Azharuddin, hands down.

 

[Ryw]

Azhar was best in ODI s and VVS in Test matches

 

[Smbhayi]

for title, it's Azharuddin..
and for op, slightly favours Laxman..
but as an overall package Azharuddin way ahead of VVS..

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Tests-Vvs by a good margin.
If we put together a combined list of top 10 innings by laxman and azhar all 10 entries will have laxmans name.

In odis- azhar easily ahead. No comparison

 

[Mobashir]

VVS Laxman was much better. As good a spin player as Azhar but far far better against short pitch stuffs. Incredible player under crisis and a magician with the bat.

Suddenly, the "all format" is forgotten...
It only works when you need it

 

[Savak]

Azharrudin is very under rated, its a pity he had to shoulder the burden of the captaincy and didn't have better players especially bowlers in his team who could make his batting performances more noticeable for the team.

 

[sweep_shot]

I actually didn't see much of Azharuddin as I started to watch cricket from mid-90's. By the time I started watching cricket, Azhar was in decline.

I vote for Azhar because he could play in all formats. VVS was more of a Test batsman.

 

[Ab Fan]

Suddenly, the "all format" is forgotten...
It only works when you need it

What do you mean by that? Look what OP asked. And anyways both are Indian batters.

As a LO batter, Laxman is pretty much a nobody. But in tests, Laxman over Azhar for me. Azhar averaged poorly in Aus, SA, Pak and WI.

Laxman, on other hand, stood up against the great Australian side and was one of the biggest match-winner the game has ever seen across the world.

As big as England's KP was. But since he is an Indian, a certain folk might not rate him as highly. Afterall, it only works when they need it.

 

[big_gamer007]

Azhar tarnished his legacy, he is a massive underachiever.

Ultimately what matters is performances, VVS outperformed Azhar and is the better batsmen in test.