Brian Lara vs Sachin Tendulkar

During the late 80s two great batsmen rose from dust, one was a right hander and the other was a left hander. Though they were spirited batsmen but they differed each other with their unique style and batting manoeuvre.

Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar became the greatest batsmen of all time building up platform for the youngsters. But people around the globe and even Shane Warnee treated Sachin Tendulkar as the ace batsman over Lara.

Both these batsmen were able to hit different stokes and played against the most lethal bowlers. But they played well in different forms of games, Lara was well equipped with his skills to play in Tests and Sachin was a challenge by his self to play the ODIs.

Now, we should understand that every player is not suited to play the different formats. So, how can we make such differences and rate the players according to their records?

Can we place Sachin and Lara over Sir Don Bradman or on top of Sir Viv Richards or Sir Garfield Sobers just because their pockets are filled with records more than anyone else? If this is impossible then how can we make differences between Sachin and Lara?

Shane Warnee was absolutely wrong when he rated the greatest players of all time. If Warne thought he was hammered mercilessly by Sachin, and dreamt nightmares of that particular match, then what about Lara? Did Lara spare Warne during the incursion?

Sachin is an excellent cricketer but only in ODIs whereas Lara played the Tests with patience. Lara had the potentiality to play longer innings and stayed on the crease for a longer period. It is because of this he was able to break the 365 runs barrier which stood for more than 30 years.

We should also understand that the record was broken during the early 90s when Brian Lara was trying to make a place in the West Indies squad. A fresh batsman came from nowhere and broke the Test record of Sir Garfield Sobers was really magnificent. In that same year he was able to hit 501 not out while playing domestic cricket for the English County side.

This feat can only be managed by an experienced batsman like Sir Garfield Sobers who was well set in cricket for years. Lara also went to achieve the second place after Sir Don Bradman to create 9 double Test centuries. He was also capable of making most number of 150 plus, 19 of those just one head of Sir Don Bradman.

Moreover, if Herschelle Gibbs was able to hit the most number of runs in an over in the World Cup match, then Lara went on to become the first cricketer with more runs in an over. Lara was able to hit 28 runs against R. Peterson while playing against South Africa; the record is still to be broken in Test.

Lara also became the highest run getter in Test which was later taken over by Sachin, who also made the most number of centuries in Test. On the other side of the field, Sachin made history by becoming the only batsman to get more centuries and 50s in ODIs.

During the clash of the Titans, Lara and Sachin were at their peak but in different formats of the game. Lara wasn’t a magnificent cricketer in the ODIs and was able to make only 19 centuries, while Sachin couldn’t even manage to get past of Lara’s records in Test. It was after the retirement of Lara, Sachin was able to break the records of most number of runs and centuries in Test cricket.

It was until years of experience and improvement of techniques, Sachin became the first man on the planet to hit a double century in the ODI against South Africa.

It is because of these reasons that both the players are different and created remarkable feats in the world of cricket. Lara was well set in Test while Sachin’s explosive shots were devastating in ODIs.

Boxer vs Martial Artist

There are many hand movements which can be termed as a punch, but are they a real punch? Well, a slap can be also be categorised as a punch since it is thrown from our body part. Any reflexes thrown by the hands can be regarded as a punch.

People are always confused to train themselves in regards to throw a devastating punch, so they try out new things to increase their striking powers by their hands. Different people opt different ways to increase and unleash their punching calibre. Many punching styles were well choreographed and shown in number of Chinese movies.

But, the only punching style with its unique ability and stands to its peak is the way how a boxer boxes. Many martial artists have adopted western boxing to increase their hand techniques and to improve their footwork. But does boxing is the real bread and butter when it comes for hand techniques?

Many experts rely on western boxing due to many reasons, and one such reason is, it subsides the unnecessary move when thrown during the delivery. Whereas, a martial artist would throw the punch from his waist which makes the punch to cover more distance, thus leaving it telegraphed and makes it slow.

Moreover, a boxer’s punch is straight without any fancy moves, the “straight lead” is thrown without even bringing the punch back. Whereas in karate, the “straight lead” is pulled back to the waist to unleash enough power from where it’s transferred, thus making it slow and fully exposed for the target to block it.

A perfect punch should be able to hit its target in a shorter span without getting it blocked. It is because of this a boxer with ease profits with his punches making good use of his footwork. A punch should not only be delivered by the twist in hip but also should be able to cover enough room by proper footwork.

A punch when thrown by a martial artist has enough power because the hand is thrown from the waist and he makes good use of his waist. But the major drawback of a martial artist punch is that he is ill-literate while making good use off his foot.

If a martial art punch is filled with power then a boxing punch is wrapped with speed and non-telegraphic attributes. Sometimes many fighters regard a “swing” as a perfect punch, but it is denoted as a punch “without action”.

In a “swing” the punch is thrown in a circular path and makes no use of waist and feet. Moreover, the “swing” is telegraphed thus making it easy to be blocked while in action, but what about a “hook”?

A “hook” shares a similar action with a “swing” but it is far more devastating than the latter. A “hook” is thrown by making good use of the footwork which means the puncher is not stiff during the delivery.

It was because of the flaws of martial arts punch, Bruce Lee was forced to adapt western boxing so that he could develop his hand techniques and improve his foot skills. Today, many martial artists bend to western boxing to increase their hand techniques and a good foot manoeuvre.

It has been said that everything in this universe as its pros and cons. If you think a boxer’s punching style is perfect, then think again? A boxer might have the right techniques with his footwork and a good manoeuvre with his hand skill but he holds a major set-back. The biggest flaw with a boxer is he is simply left alone when it comes in making a good use of his waist.

Thus, a boxer nevertheless is quick, with greasy fast moves, but he lacks power while delivering his punch. Similarly, a martial artist is able to generate enough power by making good use of his waist, but he is stagnated when it comes in quick moves and great footwork.

It is therefore we should make use of these a boxer’s and a martial artist punch, to get enough power, speed, accuracy and good foot skills, this is known as “Jeet Kune Do, The Way of the Intercepting Fist”

Remember, a “hook” can become a “straight lead” but a “straight lead” should not circulate like a “hook” or a “swing”.