What’s a King to a God? For England’s legendary pacer James Anderson, the answer remains clear and unwavering: Sachin Tendulkar is untouchable.
In a candid interview with TalkSport, the recently retired fast bowling great was asked to compare the modern-day batting titans — Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson — collectively known as the ‘Big Four’, to India’s iconic Sachin Tendulkar. Anderson’s reply was instant and emphatic: “Just below Tendulkar.”
That one-line response has reignited an age-old debate in cricketing circles. Anderson, who relished duels with both Tendulkar and the Big Four during his storied 21-year international career, has bowled to the finest batters of two distinct generations. Yet, even with all their modern-day achievements, he believes none have scaled the summit that Tendulkar once occupied.
Who Are The Fab Four?
The ‘Big Four’ — Kohli, Root, Smith, and Williamson — have defined the batting landscape of the past decade. Each has left an indelible mark across formats. Virat Kohli, as of mid-2025, has crossed 80 international centuries and amassed over 26,000 runs.
Steve Smith has drawn comparisons with the legendary Don Bradman for his Test average and unorthodox technique. Joe Root, with more than 12,000 Test runs, remains the anchor of England’s batting. And Kane Williamson, the quiet accumulator, is widely regarded as New Zealand’s greatest-ever batsman.
Yet for Anderson, even this glittering group stands “just below” the man known as the ‘God of Cricket’.
Sachin Tendulkar's Stats
Sachin Tendulkar’s numbers are the stuff of legend. Over a career that spanned 24 years, Tendulkar amassed 34,357 runs, including an unprecedented 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. More than just a master of batting, he was the heartbeat of Indian cricket through the 1990s and 2000s, elevating the game in a pre-IPL, pre-T20 world with a mix of artistry, longevity, and consistency.
Anderson’s opinion reflects more than statistics. It captures the aura of Tendulkar’s era — a time when batting greatness was defined not just by numbers, but by resilience, aesthetics, and the burden of a billion expectations.
While the Big Four have thrived in an era of aggressive batting, T20 leagues, and high-pressure schedules, Tendulkar’s legacy was forged in a different crucible. He carried the hopes of a rising cricketing nation, often as a lone warrior, and emerged with records that continue to inspire awe.
In many ways, the comparison between Tendulkar and the Big Four is not about who is better. It’s about eras of greatness. Tendulkar laid the foundation — redefining cricket for a generation. The Big Four have taken that legacy forward, adapting and excelling in a transformed, more commercial cricketing ecosystem.
India will play England in a five-match Test tour from June 20, starting in Leeds.
