In the game of cricket, we have seen some entertaining face-offs between batters and bowlers. Sometimes, batters and bowlers cross their line and try to sled others. But there are many tough competitions between batters and bowlers that we have seen in cricket. Many great batters have smashed many bowlers in their careers. But these greats also faced difficulties while facing a particular bowler. So, here's a list of ten batters and the toughest bowlers they have ever encountered.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers in the history of cricket. He was the first batsman who started playing proper cricketing shots. Sachin's straight drive used to be a pleasure to watch. There is no doubt that there will be no one like him. Even though he faced some of the greatest bowlers like Wasim, Waqar, and Warne in his career, Hansie Cronje was the toughest for Sachin. Even he has admitted that Cronje was his toughest bowler to play. Hansie Cronje dismissed Sachin Tendulkar 3 times in the ODI and five times in test cricket.
2. Brian Lara
The Prince of Cricket, Brian Lara, is one of the most elegant and talented batters cricket has ever seen. He has the highest individual score in test cricket, which he scored against England in 2004. Still, it is an unbreakable record. Brian Lara had always been the bowlers' nightmare throughout his career, and he brutally smashed them. But during an interview, Brian Lara said that Wasim Akram is the most lethal and challenging bowler he has faced. Even stats prove this, as Wasim Akram dismissed him nine times in 40 matches.
3. Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of the greatest batsmen in modern-day cricket. He can be the batsman who can break the record for most test runs, as Smith has scored 9,320 runs in 102 test matches with an average of 58.6. In today's cricket, no one is near him in red-ball cricket. Steve Smith has faced many great bowlers like Anderson, Rabada, and Bumrah. But his toughest bowler to play is Ravindra Jadeja. There are plenty of times that Jadeja has dismissed Smith. So far, Jadeja has dismissed him 11 times.
4. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the best batsmen and cricketers Sri Lanka has ever produced. He is a role model for the young generation as he has proved himself in international cricket. Sangakkara is one of the batsmen who could play in any condition, whether bouncy or slow pitch. Many fewer bowlers troubled him in his career. But Zaheer Khan worried Sangakkara every time. Even Sangakkara said that Zaheer's control of the ball is unbelievable. Zaheer Khan dismissed him six times in tests and five times in ODI cricket.
5. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. He has proved himself in all formats of the game. Viratis is just one century away from being the batsman with most century in ODI cricket. In his career, he has smashed many great bowlers like Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, etc. But Tim Southee is the toughest bowler faced by Kohli. Even the stats prove this. Tim Southee has dismissed Virat three times in test cricket, six times in ODI, and one time in T20 international.
6. AB de Villiers
South African batting legend AB de Villiers is one of the most influential and famous cricketers ever seen. He was the batsman who changed the batting style as he used to have different shots for one delivery. Almost every bowler used to fear AB de Villiers because of his dominating batting style. But Stuart Broad was the only one who was capable of stopping him. In total, Stuart Broad has dismissed de Villers 12 times, which he got dismissed 10 times in a test and two times in ODI cricket.
7. Viv Richards
Viv Richards is the most ruthless and fearless batsman cricket has ever seen. During the 70s and 80s, when bowlers used to dominate the batters, he was the one who used to smash the bowlers without wearing a helmet. It would be strange to think Viv Richards faced any of the most formidable bowlers. But Australian legend Dennis Lillee was the bowler who used to give sleepless nights to him. In Viv Richard's career, Dennis Lillee dismissed him nine times, which is the most by any bowler.
8. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is one of the most popular and fearless cricketers in New Zealand. Throughout his career, he was known for his aggressive batting style. Brendon still has the record for the fastest test century, and nobody can forget his batting in the 2015 World Cup. Brendon McCullum was the headache of bowlers. But some bowlers used to trouble him, and Zaheer Khan was one of them. Zaheer Khan dismissed him two times in test cricket and six times in ODI cricket.
9. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is one of the most talented and elegant batsmen that India has ever seen. On his day, he can destroy any bowler in the World. Many bowlers in the World hesitate to bowl Rohit. But South African sensation Kagiso Rabada is different. He is the toughest bowler that Rohit has faced. Rabada troubles Rohit with the swing and seam movement with the new ball. Kagiso Rabada has dismissed Rohit five times in the test, in the ODI, and two times in the T20 international.
10. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla is one of the greatest opening batsmen that South Africa has ever seen. There was a time when the South African team used to be unstoppable, and he was also part of that team. Amla faced many lethal and great bowlers during his career, but Mitchell Johnson was a beast. Mitchell Johnson was one of the toughest bowlers for him to play. Mitchell Johnson dismissed Amla 11 times, which is the most by any bowler, as he dismissed Amla seven times in test and two times in ODI cricket.
