VVS Laxman vs Younis Khan - Who was the better player of spin?

[Slog]

While I doubt many will disagree that YK is the superior overall test batsman among the two but Laxman is heralded for his ability to play spin thanks in large part to the unbelievable 2001 Kolkata effort and upper hand over Warne

However I think even in playing spin YK is slightly better even if he did not dominate Warne in the only series he played against him

 

[Haz95]

YK had no weakness vs spin. If you look at Misbah who's a good player of spin, he was exposed by Herath (and Jadeja in ODIs) vs quality Left arm finger spin. But YK had no weakness at all and was more or less perfect vs spin. The reason that he wasn't the best ever was only because Sehwag was more destructive, however he is right up there.

At Laxman's best, he's YKs equal.

 

[Citizen4]

very difficult to separate those two in this debate

 

[ethan hunt]

Laxman had problems picking murali and mendis .
Yk never had any such issue against any spinner .
Tbf mendis troubled most indian batsmen when he was new .
Laxman played some memorable innings but he had an ordinary defence and for a top order bat used to get bowled a lot.

 

[Mamoon]

Younis.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Laxman had problems picking murali and mendis .
Yk never had any such issue against any spinner .
Tbf mendis troubled most indian batsmen when he was new .
Laxman played some memorable innings but he had an ordinary defence and for a top order bat used to get bowled a lot.

Good post, sums up everything.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Younis is an ATG.

 

[Buffet]

VVS was not consistent against all spinners despite having some top knocks against good spinners.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

YK was superior against spin.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Younis more effective but I prefer to watch the more orthodox Laxman.

As a complete batsman, I would take Laxman as well.

 

[Hasan123]

Younis easily.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Younis.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Youni bhai

 

[Ab Fan]

Younis obviously.. VVS was very good too but YK is simply better.

 

[Eye_Done]

Laxman averages in 40s while Younis is in 50s. YK is on elevel ahead of Laxman. VVS is in category of Aamir Sohail & Ganguly mid 40s avg players.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Although the 281 against Warne remains one of the best assaults on a great spinner during a test match and arguably the best display of batsmanship against leg spin, VVS didn't replicate the same consistently. Younis has over longer periods of time looked far more at ease against spin.


VVS certainly a better player against pace.

Overall, both VVS had that sort of a career where he looked legendary on some days and looked foolish on other.

 

[Hawkeye]

VVS isn't good enough to be compared with a potential ATG. Or at least Asian ATG.

 

[msb314]

While I doubt many will disagree that YK is the superior overall test batsman among the two but Laxman is heralded for his ability to play spin thanks in large part to the unbelievable 2001 Kolkata effort and upper hand over Warne

However I think even in playing spin YK is slightly better even if he did not dominate Warne in the only series he played against him

YK all day every day...

YK is also a better player than Laxman against everyone except Australia against whom Laxman has ATG stats.

 

[pillionrider]

Younis Khan.

VVS was better known for his ability to handle bounce and pace. That said, he was very comfortable against Ajantha Mendis when he burst on the scene.

 

[Pollack]

Younis Khan

 

[AlizeeFan]

Laxman averages in 40s while Younis is in 50s. YK is on elevel ahead of Laxman. VVS is in category of Aamir Sohail & Ganguly mid 40s avg players.

Laxman averaged close to 50 from the time YK started his career and till 2012. During same time YK averaged close to 53. They were comparable in terms of averages.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Moreover YK crossed average of 50 only in 2009-10 while Laxman was averaging over 50 consistently during same period. Out of 12 common years, YK surpassed Laxman only in last 2 years.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...template=results;type=batting;view=cumulative

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...template=results;type=batting;view=cumulative

 

[Drreddymd]

Laxman is a better player against pace and comparable to younis against spin.

Laxman is better overall but inconsistent

 

[Bilal7]

I respect VVS who played some truly great innings but he's competing with someone out of his league here.

Cue some Indians with horrible self esteem showing up and hating on Younis to make them feel better about their cricketing history.

 

[Chrish]

VVS did well against Warne but overall he wasn't known for his ability against spin. While Yunis is one of the best spin players ever.

Would take VVS in a heart bit against formidable pace attack though.

 

[WC-Passion]

VVS vs Pace, Younis vs Spin. Easily.

 

[Justcrazy]

Younis Khan was all over a better player of spinners.

 

[TQ89]

Both vere good. Cant really pick any as superior. It was a joy to watch them both play.

Younis has a slight edge because he of his consistency something which laxman had issue with some times.

 

[captain crook]

Younis Khan is the best Pakistani batsman and all time great. Whenever I hear 'Laxman', it reminds me of those hilarious dismissals against the then rookie Asif and his 'I don't believe' face. Even Kaneria troubled him I guess. There is no comparison sir. Younis Khan wipes the wet floor with the poor Laxman.

 

[sabashahid]

Please dont do that, its not a statement its dishonesty and cruelty please dont do that. No sane person with at least some knowledge of cricket would never say anything like that. Lets not create a drama here Yonus was by far the best.

 

[AlizeeFan]

I respect VVS who played some truly great innings but he's competing with someone out of his league here.

Cue some Indians with horrible self esteem showing up and hating on Younis to make them feel better about their cricketing history.

Check my above post. How a batsman averaging 53 is league ahead of batsman averaging 49 and that too when former was ahead of later for 2-3 years after being inferior for almost a decade.

 

[joly]

Overall batsman Laxman, YK eats laxman alive when it comes to Spin alone

 

[Bilal7]

Check my above post. How a batsman averaging 53 is league ahead of batsman averaging 49 and that too when former was ahead of later for 2-3 years after being inferior for almost a decade.

I don't care about you cherry picking stats. At the end of the day, VVS has far inferior numbers to Khan and because Younis himself has played some fantastic innings and is someone who performs when it matters, the Pakistani is a level of two above the Indian. Stop overrating your batsman.

 

[Hasan123]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] LOL people actually think this is a close battle.

 

[Hasan123]

Laxman was good but was always behind Sachin and Dravid.

Yk is vastly superior to Laxman. I rate Dravid higher than YK, but YK vs Dravid is a closer battle than this one.

 

[Bilal7]

Miandad and Younis are only behind Sachin and arguably, Gavasker from India's batsmen.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] LOL people actually think this is a close battle.

He is winding everyone up