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Two geniuses, Brian Lara and AB de Villiers - Who would you take in ODIs?
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Bhaijaan
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I'd take Lara. ABD for all his freakish abilities let's you down time and again in pressure matches with his silly run outs and soft dismissals. Lara I'd say was less prone to such stupid errors.
Ab Fan
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If my team is reeling at 20-2, I will go with Lara.
If my team is at 200-2, I will go with ABD.
A big-hearted mentally strong player over soft-hearted choker any day.
If my team is at 200-2, I will go with ABD.
A big-hearted mentally strong player over soft-hearted choker any day.
AFM
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In ODI, AB no question. I don't know why people think he doesn't score under pressure situations.
Princejain191
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This is a good contest. Both are all-condition players. Both can dominate good/great attacks. Usually score at a good rate.
But.
Being a little pragmatic, I would say AB is more versatile and consistent. Lara has one-up on AB in that he could bat long. AB gives it away often and hardly scores daddy doubles. Also, Lara has more solo efforts. But AB does score against all oppositions and in all countries. Lara struggled in India and NZ. And I'd agree with Mark Nicholas - AB is a more complete batsman. But again. Lara played in a very average team which probably was a reason (minor or major?) for a lot of his shortcomings.
Tough one, but AB probably just takes it for me overall for his magnificence in shorter formats.
Wait are we talking about ODIs only cos then I'd pick AB in a single heartbeat. Thought that the thread was about overall.
But.
Being a little pragmatic, I would say AB is more versatile and consistent. Lara has one-up on AB in that he could bat long. AB gives it away often and hardly scores daddy doubles. Also, Lara has more solo efforts. But AB does score against all oppositions and in all countries. Lara struggled in India and NZ. And I'd agree with Mark Nicholas - AB is a more complete batsman. But again. Lara played in a very average team which probably was a reason (minor or major?) for a lot of his shortcomings.
Tough one, but AB probably just takes it for me overall for his magnificence in shorter formats.
Wait are we talking about ODIs only cos then I'd pick AB in a single heartbeat. Thought that the thread was about overall.
Last Monetarist
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In ODIs, de Villiers sans doute. But in tests, only a fool would not choose Lara.
Mamoon
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Brian Lara as an opener, but de Villiers as a middle-order batsman.
Nikhil_cric
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Lara played very little cricket as an opener.
Consistent, he is. Averages 53.
Mamoon
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Yes, but he was brilliant nonetheless. Had he played as an opener throughout his career, he would have matched Tendulkar.
Nikhil_cric
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Lara until 1999 was a greater ODI batsman than Sachin. But i think after that Sachin maintained unbelievable consistency till 2011 and that is difficult to match no matter what where you bat i guess.
Chrish
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In ODI it's not even close.. ABDV is arguably contender for GOAT title along with few others while Lara isn't in the picture..
Last Monetarist
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I don't think he was to be honest. He was arguably better between 1992 and 1996, but Tendulkar was a different beast afterwards in limited overs cricket. I think Lara lost interest in ODIs after the 1996 World Cup as the West Indies were never truly a force again after the defeat to Australia in Mohali.
so that you can go to 20-3? Lara was a notoriously poor starter..
actually batting No3 or 4 suited him better. He was very hesitant and nervous starter and more likely to get out very early..
Buffet
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In ODI format, I will take AB over Lara. Don't have to think too much here.
Joseph Gomes
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This thread is an insult to ABD.
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Hasan123
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AB in ODIs. Lara is the better overall batsmen.
dauntless
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Ab all the way here. He would be my second name in the all time odi team after Viv.
UN talkz
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Abd
Ozymandiasza
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Interesting comparison as both of these legends have no WCs to their name.
I'd go with AB out of pure bias.
I'd go with AB out of pure bias.
Adijazz1706
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AB is 2nd in ODIs behind Viv, way behind Lara in Tests though
Rishta Aunty
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Lara at his prime but easily ABD overall; the issue is that Lara had a pretty precipitous decline after the 90s in comparison to the standards that he previously set which is what clouds people's views.
Lara averaged 47.44 @ SR:78.20 after 120 matches in 1997. Let those numbers sink in as that was easily one of the toughest decades for batsman considering the bowling riches on offer. His decline from that point saw him end up with an average of ~40.
ABD's been great, but had definitely faced lesser bowlers in a way easier decade for batting.
Lara averaged 47.44 @ SR:78.20 after 120 matches in 1997. Let those numbers sink in as that was easily one of the toughest decades for batsman considering the bowling riches on offer. His decline from that point saw him end up with an average of ~40.
ABD's been great, but had definitely faced lesser bowlers in a way easier decade for batting.
proud_pakistani
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Lara because he has the potential to destroy better bowlers.
bujhee kom
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Lara is on another level.
If you take the best version of each, Lara is far, far superior to pea-hearted ABDV.
If you take the best version of each, Lara is far, far superior to pea-hearted ABDV.
soso_killer
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Neither of them are my cup of tea to be honest.
The_Odd_One
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I will take Lara in world cups, AB in bilaterals.
Ab Fan
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Lara had issues against quicks but the guy was big-hearted player who thrived when the challenge was bigger. He can take his team to 300 from even 20-2.
In comparison, de Villiers is a mental midget and if he comes to bat at 20-2, we will see SA choke and get all out at 170 with the opposition chasing it in 30 overs only.
I will pick de Villiers when he is playing against Lara's team though.
hur rizvi
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Lara and not the choker
Lefthanded
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Lara was in phase one of white ball revolution, when the likes of Gilchrist and Jayasuriya emerged. AB rose as the second phase happened.
It's similar to a Bevan and Dhoni question. Bevan may not have been more effective in Dhoni's white ball era, but when either played at their peaks, almost no one was better at handling pressure and closing out games.
As far as pressure is concerned, a different question would be whether one would take Lara or KP to the World Cup [if one can, taking era differences into account].
Both could handle pressure and win matches of their bat.
It's similar to a Bevan and Dhoni question. Bevan may not have been more effective in Dhoni's white ball era, but when either played at their peaks, almost no one was better at handling pressure and closing out games.
As far as pressure is concerned, a different question would be whether one would take Lara or KP to the World Cup [if one can, taking era differences into account].
Both could handle pressure and win matches of their bat.
IndianFan2018
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any day in ODI + T20 as well.
in Tests though 
