Five current Test batsmen who would have succeeded against fast bowlers of the 90s era

In sports, and cricket is no different, comparisons form a part of the folklore where every modern-day great is compared to his predecessors. We compare different era’s, we even tend to hold discussions and debates as to which batsmen or bowler of the current era would have been equally successful in the erstwhile era.

Often we have seen, fans, as well as former cricketers, allude that the 1990s was one the most difficult era for batting. And, not just because of the conditions but also because of the quality of fast bowlers that the 90s, which includes the likes of Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Wasim-Waqar, Glenn McGrath, Shoaib Akhtar, Alan Donald, Shaun Pollock to name a few.

And, often we have seen fans shrug off the performances of the current era of batsmen by saying, ‘Oh! The bowlers aren’t of the same quality’,  ‘I don’t think he would have fared well had they played in the 90s’ comes their declaration.

Here’s the list of top-5 current Test batsmen who would have thrived against the pacers of the 1990s:

5. Ajinkya Rahane

The very first thing that comes to mind when you slot-in Ajinkya Rahane and Test match cricket, is his overseas performance, and while the numbers may have dipped in the past season or two, the fact still remains that the Indian Test vice-captain is one of the best batsmen against top-quality fast bowling of the current era.

Some of Rahane’s best knocks have come under the direst of situations and in the most difficult of conditions to bat. Who can forget his baptism with fire on a green mamba masquerading as a Test match pitch in Lord’s back in 2014 where he racked up a match-winning hundred for his side or his assault on one of the fastest bowlers of the modern era-Mitchell Johnson- at the MCG back in 2014?

Rahane may not have got any hundred in India’s 2018 overseas cycle but the champion batsman did play some crucial innings under the most difficult of circumstances. Who can forget the 51 runs that he scored on a snake-pit masquerading as a Test match pitch in Johannesburg during India’s 2018 tour of South Africa or the nonchalant 81 that he scored in Trent Bridge against the likes of Broad and Anderson? 

Rahane is one of those rare Indian batsmen who are at their best against the fast bowlers in hostile conditions as opposed to facing the spinners. And, there is no reason why he wouldn’t have succeeded against the pace attacks of the 90s.