When a Legend Gets the Cold Shoulder
Imagine being arguably the greatest batsman in cricket history, only to be left off an “all-time XI” by a former rival. That’s exactly what happened to Sachin Tendulkar, and the internet hasn’t stopped buzzing about it. During a recent episode of the popular podcast Stick to Cricket, former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh made a selection that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world .
The twist? Host David “Bumble” Lloyd, in a moment of pure comedic genius, decided to call Tendulkar live on air to get his reaction. What followed was a chaotic, hilarious, and slightly awkward exchange that was cut off almost as soon as it began, leaving everyone in stitches—and raising a serious question about how we judge greatness in the sport .
Table of Contents
- The Podcast Moment That Broke the Internet
- Who is David “Bumble” Lloyd?
- Why the Omission is So Controversial
- Tendulkar vs. Kohli: The Undeniable Stats
- Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Debate
- Sources
The Podcast Moment That Broke the Internet
On the Stick to Cricket podcast, which features a star-studded lineup including Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, the panel was tasked with picking their all-time best XI . When it was Mark Waugh’s turn, he named a formidable side—but conspicuously absent was the “Little Master” from India, Sachin Tendulkar .
David Lloyd, never one to shy away from a bit of fun, seized the moment. He announced he was calling Tendulkar live, introducing him to the panel as “Bumble” in a playful mix-up that added to the chaos. The call connected, but before Tendulkar could even say a word, it was abruptly disconnected, sending the entire studio into fits of laughter . It was a moment of pure, unscripted television that highlighted both the absurdity and the passion of the sport.
Who is David “Bumble” Lloyd?
For those new to the cricketing world, you might wonder about the man behind the mic. David Lloyd, affectionately known as “Bumble,” is a former England cricketer and coach. His nickname stems from his teammates at Lancashire, who thought his facial profile resembled the characters from the 1970s children’s TV show, The Bumblies . His jovial personality and sharp insights have made him a beloved figure in cricket commentary for decades .
Why the Omission is So Controversial
Omitting Sachin Tendulkar from any all-time greats list isn’t just a matter of opinion; it flies in the face of overwhelming statistical evidence. Tendulkar’s career is a masterclass in longevity and dominance. He is the only player in history to score 100 international centuries and holds the record for the most runs in both Test and ODI cricket combined .
To put his achievements in perspective, consider this:
- He played 664 international matches over a 24-year career.
- He amassed a staggering 34,357 international runs .
- His 51 Test centuries are a benchmark that may never be surpassed.
Sachin Tendulkar vs. Kohli: The Undeniable Stats
Often, the conversation turns to Virat Kohli as the heir apparent. While Kohli is undoubtedly a modern great, the numbers show a significant gap. As of now, Kohli has accumulated 27,230 international runs across 538 matches . This is an incredible feat, but it still leaves him over 7,000 runs short of Tendulkar’s monumental total.
Here’s a quick comparison of their overall international records:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Centuries | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 664 | 34,357 | 100 | 48.52 |
| Virat Kohli | 538 | 27,230 | 82 | 52.27 |
While Kohli boasts a higher average, a testament to his consistency in the modern era, Tendulkar’s sheer volume of runs and centuries, achieved over a much longer and more varied period of the game’s history, cements his unique place in the pantheon . For a deeper dive into current player rankings, check out our [INTERNAL_LINK:cricket-rankings] page.
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Debate
The podcast moment was undeniably funny, but it also served as a stark reminder of Sachin Tendulkar’s unparalleled legacy. While every fan has their personal favorites, excluding a player of Tendulkar’s caliber from an all-time XI based on subjective preference ignores the objective mountain of records he built. His career wasn’t just about statistics; it was about carrying the hopes of a billion fans on his shoulders for nearly a quarter of a century. That’s a feat that transcends any single innings or series. For more on cricket’s greatest players, explore our [INTERNAL_LINK:players] section.
Sources
- Times of India: “David Lloyd calls Sachin Tendulkar live after Mark Waugh leaves him out of all-time XI” [[1], [3]]
- Official Cricket Podcast Listings: “Stick to Cricket”
- Statistical Comparison: “Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar – After 550 International Matches”
- ESPNcricinfo Player Profiles: Sachin Tendulkar & Virat Kohli [[5], [6], [7]]
- Wikipedia: “David Lloyd (cricketer)” [[14], [19]]