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Most popular cricketer ever?

Abdullah Rabbani

Abdullah Rabbani

Tape Ball Star
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
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805
We have seen greatest cricketers throughout generations who mark there name high top of the list with there dedication, ethics, talent and hardwork to the game.

What you think which cricketers have most popularity in the world ?
 
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Imran Khan - some achievement for a cricketer who played 20-30 years before the current wave of social media, so would also be interesting to know who has the most Twitter and Instagram followers as well which I imagine would either be Tendulkar or Kohli.

After Imran Khan in no particular order:

Tendulkar
Kohli
Warne
Viv
Gayle
Flintoff - David Beckham of cricket
 
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In terms of the number of people who have heard of him, it is probably Imran.

But popular means "liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people or by a particular person or group" in which case it is definitey Sachin (if not just because of India's population).
 
I think ill have to break this up by country:

India:

Sachin without a doubt


Pakistan:

Imran Khan, with Wasim Akram a close second.


West Indies:

you could have a lot of legendary West Indians on this list but im going to go with Sir Viv.

England:

Ian Botham

Australia:

Don Bradman


New Zealand:

Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe a close second.

South Africa:

Ab De Villiers


Sri Lanka:

Kumar Sangakkara


Zimbabwe:

Andy Flower

BD:

Shakib/Tamim
 
Imran khan is super overhyped by Pakistani PPers
Popularity, Admiration khan is no one infront of Tendulkar... No one... I know hard to digest for my Pakistani friends but bitter truth...
 
Imran Khan.

A 50something Spanish office secretary (who probably has no idea what cricket is) knew about him. She knew him because of Jemima from pre-internet tabloids etc. I was surprised.
 
Khan Tendulkar & co can walk around america south america russia china africa no one would give them a second look.
 
WhenSultansBowled said:
Ah man. That was the most cribgeworthy trolling of all times by Sachinistas. Even I was embarrassed by that crap.
Click to expand...

Please bro
Dont tag few trolls on Social media as sachinist.... Few hundred trolls posting stupid comments on any forum does not represent large community of fans...
 
AAli98 said:
Khan Tendulkar & co can walk around america south america russia china africa no one would give them a second look.
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Sachin only imran get guard of honour,

Yes because cricket is not popular there rather than s asian overseas.
 
LOL, some people really believe Imran Khan is the most popular cricketer ever. Someone who doesn't even make it to most prestigious All Time XI's.
 
Peshwa said:
Please bro
Dont tag few trolls on Social media as sachinist.... Few hundred trolls posting stupid comments on any forum does not represent large community of fans...
Click to expand...

A few trolls? Even Indians in the streets were burning pictures of sharapova lol
 
Any half decent Indian player would become most popular cricketer by default. So the discussion in itself becomes redundant.
 
Has to be IK, if not for his cricket, then purely because of the fact that he is the PM of fifth largest country in the world. Sachin can go to Russia, china etc. and no one will bat an eyelid, but Imran will get guard of honor.etc. Sachin has to excel in politics before he gets any where near Imran in terms of popularity, stature. etc.
 
Imran Khan without a doubt. He was very popular among foreign girls especially. His looks added to his intense performances and he was just revered in Australia and England. He also has a huge fan base in India (more like fear out of respect) and other countries. Easily the most famous. Sachin, I would assume, is second thanks to the huge India population. But not sure if anyone outside cricket world actually knows him!
 
If Imran played in FB/Twiiter/Instgram era, he would be at top. He had charisma/personality/crazy affairs who could just turned necks around anywheher he went ...
 
szrana said:
Has to be IK, if not for his cricket, then purely because of the fact that he is the PM of fifth largest country in the world. Sachin can go to Russia, china etc. and no one will bat an eyelid, but Imran will get guard of honor.etc. Sachin has to excel in politics before he gets any where near Imran in terms of popularity, stature. etc.
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By that logic, its between Imran and Nawaz Sharif. I think Sharif might edge ahead as he has been a PM for longer. :nawaz
 
BreadPakoda said:
By that logic, its between Imran and Nawaz Sharif. I think Sharif might edge ahead as he has been a PM for longer. :nawaz
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First Imran was well known in the western world, even before he became a politician, second Nawaz was not a cricketer. In terms of popularity Imran >>>> Nawaz
 
By name of imran cricket will become popular in world because where he goes as pm was called ex cricketer other nations people hear first time so they search about cricket any sport that exist...

Brand ambassadors got millions to promote any company or product but he is paying more than any cricketer because cricket made him star.
 
Three terms as PM. Hundreds of guard of honours by Americans, Britishers, Russians, Chinese. Nawaz Sharif wins this, hands down. :nawaz
 
szrana said:
First Imran was well known in the western world, even before he became a politician, second Nawaz was not a cricketer. In terms of popularity Imran >>>> Nawaz
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Nawas was domestic cricketer played only one match got duck on first ball
 
As a cricketer, Sachin.

He was a superb cricketer, best batsman of his era, but his popularity was only due to a huge Indian population.

If we are talking about off field stuff as well, maybe IK.
 
Man this is hilarious Pakistanis really believe Imran Khan is more popular than Sachin just because few girls shout we want imran and Malaysias first lady held imrans hand...😂😂😂
 
Peshwa said:
Man this is hilarious Pakistanis really believe Imran Khan is more popular than Sachin just because few girls shout we want imran and Malaysias first lady held imrans hand...😂😂😂
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Ok tell us how sachin is more popular than imran khan(ji)
 
In terms of cricket its Sachin, but when you consider other aspects of life, then its Imran by far.
 
Hitman said:
LOL, some people really believe Imran Khan is the most popular cricketer ever. Someone who doesn't even make it to most prestigious All Time XI's.
Click to expand...

Don't worry every single book has Tendulkar in it.
 
Heisenberg111 said:
In terms of cricket its Sachin, but when you consider other aspects of life, then its Imran by far.
Click to expand...

Maybe the thread title should be changed to 'Most popular cricketer in cricket world'.

BTW, when IK became PM, I saw newspapers of 3 major European languages putting IK's photo on front page with titles like... "Ex-Cricketer becomes new PM'.

I'd put my hard earned Euros on the fact that IK's the most famous cricketer of our planet.
 
If you include deceased...Bradman.

Id say Tendulkar and for the slightly older lot Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Viv etc..
 
Hitman said:
LOL, some people really believe Imran Khan is the most popular cricketer ever. Someone who doesn't even make it to most prestigious All Time XI's.
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Wrong many have included him in their ATG World XIs including Richie Benaud, Dickie Bird (who would have him as captain of the side as well) and Geoff Armstrong. One of these guys is a great of the game, one is arguably greatest umpire of all time and the other is an expert analyst.

No offence but I think I would take their views over a biased armchair critic.


We know SRT is the greatest test batsmen from Asia but also remember Imran Khan is the greatest test bowler from the continent.

In addition he was the best among the 4 great ARs of the late 70s and 80s.
 
topspin said:
Wrong many have included him in their ATG World XIs including Richie Benaud, Dickie Bird (who would have him as captain of the side as well) and Geoff Armstrong. One of these guys is a great of the game, one is arguably greatest umpire of all time and the other is an expert analyst.

No offence but I think I would take their views over a biased armchair critic.


We know SRT is the greatest test batsmen from Asia but also remember Imran Khan is the greatest test bowler from the continent.

In addition he was the best among the 4 great ARs of the late 70s and 80s.
Click to expand...

Regarding those 3 lists, SRT made it to Benaud and Armstrong's All Time XI. I can name 3 prestigious World XI where Imran didn't make it, but SRT did. Bradman, Cricinfo and WISDEN's All Time XI, Imran didn't make it while SRT did.

I can also name a few lists compiled of Greatest Cricketers where SRT came ahead of Imran. ESPN Legends of Cricket - Top 25 Greatest Cricketers of all time, David Gower's Top 50 Greatest Cricketers Ever, Christopher Martin Jenkin's Top 100 Greatest Cricketers ever, Benedict Bermange's 100 Greatest Cricketers ever. I just named a few that came into mind.
 
Hitman said:
Regarding those 3 lists, SRT made it to Benaud and Armstrong's All Time XI. I can name 3 prestigious World XI where Imran didn't make it, but SRT did. Bradman, Cricinfo and WISDEN's All Time XI, Imran didn't make it while SRT did.

I can also name a few lists compiled of Greatest Cricketers where SRT came ahead of Imran. ESPN Legends of Cricket - Top 25 Greatest Cricketers of all time, David Gower's Top 50 Greatest Cricketers Ever, Christopher Martin Jenkin's Top 100 Greatest Cricketers ever, Benedict Bermange's 100 Greatest Cricketers ever. I just named a few that came into mind.
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You said however Imran Khan doesn't make it to prestigious XIs when I know at least 4 so called "prestigious" lists that have him in the XI or at least in their top 10 - like Sky's Statistician Bendict has.

This isn't about Tendulkar v Imran as cricketers, I'm merely saying that the claim you made was wrong.
 
If we are talking about numbers it is crime to put someone like khan in the same bracket as tendulkar... Absolutely no comparison...
 
topspin said:
You said however Imran Khan doesn't make it to prestigious XIs when I know at least 4 so called "prestigious" lists that have him in the XI or at least in their top 10 - like Sky's Statistician Bendict has.

This isn't about Tendulkar v Imran as cricketers, I'm merely saying that the claim you made was wrong.
Click to expand...

You have named just 3. Geoff Boycott included Imran in his All Time XI as well, and he was the captain of that team.
 
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the Greatest cricketer after bradman... There are more than dozen better player than khan...
 
Hitman said:
You have named just 3. Geoff Boycott included Imran in his All Time XI as well, and he was the captain of that team.
Click to expand...

Again misinformation - he didn't.

I said I know at least 4 relatively "prestigious" combination of all time XIs or a list where Imran makes top 10.

I don't want to go around in circles but the above sentence proves your claim was wrong.

Nice attempt to derail the thread which unfortunately for you backfired big time.
 
If you exclude home country then Viv and Imran Khan
 
Lot of people who don’t know much about cricket know about Imran khan whereas for other names mentioned you need to have passing interest in cricket to know about them.

For Eg recently I was shocked to know that an Aussie classmate of mine knew about ‘the hot cricketer’ winning Pakistan’s election but couldn’t name any other non Aussie cricket
 
Imagine if Imran khan played in era of social media
 
Slog said:
If you exclude home country then Viv and Imran Khan
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Precisely - it's a bit like saying SRT has a bigger following than Muhammad Ali and is thus more popular, however everyone knows who is the most popular sportsman out of these two by a country mile as well I must say.
 
Tendulkar is far more popular. People are mixing up popular and famous. Imran Khan is more famous than all cricketers (and infinitely more relevant), but popularity is not the same. Tendulkar was a god in late 90s and early 2000s. I have seen people put his posters in temples. That is only possible in India where hinduism allows multiple gods.
 
[MENTION=146951]Peshwa[/MENTION], kindly post who you think is famous rather than disrespecting other people’s views!
 
If you leave Indians out, Imran Khan. I am sure even Sharapova would know him. Let's ask her MODS ;)
 
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Some Indians seem to think that if you score the most runs in international cricket, it makes you the most popular cricketer. Sure sachin was one of the top batsmen, but imran Khan had everything.
 
Kohli will surpass Sachin in terms of popularity similar level of batsman and also married to a famous actress worldwide he'll be better known.
 
From when your Bhaijaan started following Cricket it’s been Tendulkar and daylight none.

Remain open to understand the hype with Imran but having not personally felt it in my era it’s hard to concede hope my brothers will understand the stand.

Even Virat Kohli with all his antics, mad numbers and marrying a top shot Bollywood star has not replaced Tendulkar in terms of mass appeal.

Popularity and rage are two different things.

Kohli is popular. Tendulkar was a rage.

I am very sure Tendulkar’s even today more madly admired thank Kohli in India. If there’s an exhibition match and these two are batting i totally expect Tendulkar to get the loudest cheer at any ground in the world even today.


After Tendulkar i felt Afridi had the maddest following. Not among the greatest cricketers, not among the poorest either but the way the Pakistanis and neutral fans reacted to him all his career was very very special. Always a crowd favourite.

Honourable mentions to Warne, Wasim, Akhtar though all in a different galaxy
 
YousafTheBeast said:
Some Indians seem to think that if you score the most runs in international cricket, it makes you the most popular cricketer. Sure sachin was one of the top batsmen, but imran Khan had everything.
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Tendulkar literally got standing ovations at most grounds in England, Australia, South Africa, NZ from his 30s onwards mostly from neutral spectators. Something most players only get to experience on their retirements. If that’s not popularity what is? Is marrying a white girl and entering politics the only criteria for being counted popular? If that’s the case Mohd Azharuddin’s already ahead of most of Inran’s opponents in this thread m. You can do better that.
 
topspin said:
Again misinformation - he didn't.

I said I know at least 4 relatively "prestigious" combination of all time XIs or a list where Imran makes top 10.

I don't want to go around in circles but the above sentence proves your claim was wrong.

Nice attempt to derail the thread which unfortunately for you backfired big time.
Click to expand...

He didn't? Really? He did. He made Imran the captain of his ATG XI.
 
Very obvious that it's Sachin. There is not a single cricket following kid in the world who wouldn't know of Sachin Tendulkar.

No way that is the case with Imran Khan.

And given the lack of general awareness of most people, I doubt even his Prime Ministership would have made IK more famous among the general masses.

I can bet that the vast majority of Australian, West Indian, Kiwi and South African kids have no idea who Pakistan's PM is or who played for Pakistan all the way back in the 80s. But everyone who has ever taken any interest in cricket knows the name Sachin Tendulkar.
 
freelance_cricketer said:
Tendulkar literally got standing ovations at most grounds in England, Australia, South Africa, NZ from his 30s onwards mostly from neutral spectators. Something most players only get to experience on their retirements. If that’s not popularity what is? Is marrying a white girl and entering politics the only criteria for being counted popular? If that’s the case Mohd Azharuddin’s already ahead of most of Inran’s opponents in this thread m. You can do better that.
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Here's one after his retirement at the Lords -

 
It seems like two popular options are Imran or Sachin.

I would be happy if either of them claim the crown as they were the greats of the game.
 
If overall popularity is considered around the globe than more people know Imran Khan and even women know about him.

Tendulkar might be more popular amongst the men of India or may be other parts of South Asia.
 
Titan24 said:
If overall popularity is considered around the globe than more people know Imran Khan and even women know about him.

Tendulkar might be more popular amongst the men of India or may be other parts of South Asia.
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This, Imran is widely known outside the cricketing world, which can't be said for Tendulkar. Imran is hugely popular in European countries. German TV was telecasting his speech after winning the elections, I saw that on Frankfurt Airport on 26th July this year. Now with his visit to China, he has gotten popular in China as well. Add to that IK is very well known in India as well. Same can't be said for Tendulkar, I doubt anyone in China, spain, france,germany etc. knows about him.
 
freelance_cricketer said:
Tendulkar literally got standing ovations at most grounds in England, Australia, South Africa, NZ from his 30s onwards mostly from neutral spectators. Something most players only get to experience on their retirements. If that’s not popularity what is? Is marrying a white girl and entering politics the only criteria for being counted popular? If that’s the case Mohd Azharuddin’s already ahead of most of Inran’s opponents in this thread m. You can do better that.
Click to expand...

Everyone gets standing ovations, what you on mate? Younis Khan got many standing ovations in England, Australia, Kenya, Namibia etc does that make him a popular cricketer?
Did you ever see Tendulkar chilling with princes and kings during his playing days?
 
Afridi is a cricketer who is popular mainly due off the field stuff and the brand boom boom:)). Sachin,Viv,and Imran are brothers that come to mind. Kohli is also a massive brand and has huge following on social media.
 
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