The topic of the Godfather of cricket is highly debatable and subjective among fans, as everyone has their own “fan favorite.” However, the term “Godfather” encompasses more than just personal favorites; it pertains to the legacy, dominance, and influence of the player throughout world cricket.
While cricket has seen countless legends over the decades, this symbolic title is usually earmarked for someone whose influence has gone beyond records and runs. Someone who shaped the game’s spirit, culture, and global reach.
But who truly deserves this title? Let’s explore the history, impact, and legacy of the individual most often referred to as the “Godfather of Cricket.”
W.G. Grace – The Founding Godfather of Cricket
Born in 1848, William Gilbert Grace is widely recognized as the first Godfather of cricket. He played in national and international tournaments from 1865 to 1908 (44 years), significantly contributing to the development of cricket as we know it today. Started as a pastime, he tells the world that it can lead the sporting era that was just evolving at that time.
Due to his impressive records as an all-rounder, in the era when cricket was not much popularized, W.G. Grace was the first or founding Godfather of cricket.
Here are some key achievements of William Gilbert Grace –
| Record/Statistic | Achievement |
| First-Class Matches | 870+ appearances |
| First-Class Runs | Over 54,000 runs (includes unofficial matches) |
| First-Class Hundreds | 124 centuries |
| Highest Score | 344 (in 1876, a record at the time) |
| First-Class Wickets | Over 2,800 wickets |
| 1000 Runs in May | First player to score 1,000 runs in May (1895) |
| Triple Century Milestone | First to score a triple century in first-class cricket |
Don Bradman – The Godfather of Early Modern Era
Don Bradman is considered the greatest of all time and the father of modern cricket due to some unbreakable records in international cricket. Born in 1908, this Aussie cricketer rewrote the batting history with an astonishing 99.94 average in test cricket, along with 6996 runs in 52 matches while smashing 29 centuries. Sir Donald George Bradman is one of the few batsmen who was treated as a celebrity in the 1900s.
Key Achievements of Don Bradman –
| Record/Statistic | Achievement |
| Test Matches | 52 |
| Test Runs | 6,996 |
| Test Batting Average | 99.94 |
| Test Centuries | 29 |
| First-Class Runs | Over 28,000 |
| First-Class Batting Average | 95.14 |
| Highest Test Score | 334 vs England (1930) |
| Most Runs in a Test Series | 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes (5 Tests) |
| Fastest to 6,000 Test Runs | Achieved in 45 innings (still a record) |
| Double Centuries in Tests | 12 (a record until 2003) |
Kerry Packer – The Cricket Godfather Behind the Curtains
If any non-cricket personality can be called the Godfather of Cricket, it is Kerry Packer, the Australian media tycoon. Even though he had never played an innings on the field, his off-field vision and bold moves revolutionized the game forever. His impact laid the foundation for the global, entertainment-driven version of cricket we see today, including T20 leagues like the IPL.
Contribution of Kerry Packer in Cricket –
- Launched World Series Cricket (WSC) in 1977
- Introduced colored clothing, white balls, and floodlit matches
- Brought television broadcasting rights into focus, changing the business of cricket
- Ensured better pay and contracts for players, professionalizing the sport
- Used multiple camera angles and on-screen graphics
- Popularized limited-overs cricket and entertainment-driven formats
- Influenced the modern structure of T20 leagues like the IPL
Sachin Tendulkar – The Godfather of Indian Cricket
Known as the “God” or “Godfather of Indian Cricket”, Sachin Tendulkar is the figure who redefined the sport in India and gave it a global identity. Tendulkar set new benchmarks with 100 international centuries and over 34,000 runs across formats. Apart from just numbers, it was his calm presence, humility, and dedication that inspired generations and made him a national icon.
Tendulkar mentored several young players, including Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, setting a high standard of discipline and sportsmanship.
Key Achievements of Sachin Tendulkar –
| Record/Statistic | Achievement |
| International Matches Played | 664 (200 Tests, 463 ODIs, 1 T20I) |
| Total International Runs | 34,357 |
| International Centuries | 100 (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs) |
| Most Runs in World Cups | 2,278 runs (6 editions) |
| Highest ODI Score (at the time) | 200 vs South Africa* in 2010 (first double century) |
| First-Class Runs | Over 25,000 |
| Most Man of the Match Awards (ODIs) | 62 |
| Most Man of the Series Awards (ODIs) | 15 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Winner in 2011 |
| Test Debut | At age 16, vs Pakistan in 1989 |
MS Dhoni – The Godfather of IPL
For his unmatched leadership and iconic presence, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is often referred to as the Godfather of the IPL or the new Godfather of cricket. Dhoni is the only Indian captain to have won all three major ICC trophies—the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013).
In the IPL, he has become a fan-favorite, leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five titles, while being adored by the passionate “Yellow Army”. Known for his unshakable calmness under pressure, strategic brilliance, and finishing ability, Dhoni is affectionately called “Thala” by fans—a Tamil word meaning “leader”.
| Record/Statistic | Achievement |
| Total International Matches (ODI, T20I) | 538 (90 Tests, 350 ODIs, 98 T20Is) |
| Total International Runs | 17,923 |
| Highest ODI Score | 183 vs Sri Lanka (2005) |
| ICC Trophies Won | 3 Major ICC Trophies: T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy |
| IPL Titles | 5 IPL Titles with Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) |
| Captaincy Record (ODI & T20I) | Most wins by an Indian captain in both formats |
| IPL Captaincy Record | The most successful IPL captain with a win percentage over 60% |
| Most Capped Indian Player | Most matches played as captain for India in all formats |
| ICC ODI Player of the Year | 2008 |
| Most Sixes in T20Is (India) | 51 Sixes (as of 2023) |
Other Notable Greatest Cricketers of All Time
While the title of “Godfather of Cricket” belongs to a few iconic figures, the legacy of the sport is built on the brilliance of many. These legendary players may not carry that specific title, but their influence on cricket is undeniable.
| Player | Specialty / Legacy |
| Jacques Kallis | Legendary all-rounder with 10,000+ runs and 200+ wickets in both formats |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Record-holder for most international wickets |
| Shane Warne | Greatest leg-spinner; game-changer for Australia |
| Brian Lara | Sophisticated left-hander, holder of the highest Test score (400*) |
| Virat Kohli | Modern legend with unmatched consistency and chase-master reputation |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Stylish wicketkeeper-batsman with over 28,000 international runs |
| Wasim Akram | Master of swing bowling; dominant force in world cricket |
| Ricky Ponting | Two-time World Cup-winning captain, legendary Aussie batsman |
| AB de Villiers | Mr. 360 – a batting innovator and crowd favorite |
| Kapil Dev | India’s first World Cup-winning captain, an inspirational all-rounder |
