Cricket is supposed to be a game which produces a feisty contest between the bat and the ball. However, since the game has advanced over the years, the balance seems to now be favouring the batsman. In fact, the limited-overs cricket is now often said as the batsman’s paradise. But over the years, the bowling greats do have made their way back and have brought their skill’s resurgence.

Speaking about some bowling greats, then, there was the West Indian quartet who could bounce the life out of you. That’s why they were regarded as the ‘fearsome foursome’ or whether it was about facing against the Thomson’s action which delivered the ball as if it came from a catapult. The sight of watching spin meeting glove is in itself another topic featuring another set of legends.

However, there have been occasions when such greats have been vocal whenever they have been made to face the vigorous heat coming out of a bat’s willow. So here’s the list of

10 bowling greats and their most feared batsmen-

1. James Anderson &#8211; Graeme Smith

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-175308" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/James-Anderson-1.jpg" alt="James Anderson England" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-175308" class="wp-caption-text">                                James Anderson (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)</figcaption>

James Anderson is no doubt one of the most legendary fast bowlers of our time and his pursuit of making the red cherry move is a form of artistry in itself. Even the greatest of batsman like Sachin Tendulkar has found himself in trouble against Jimmy. However, recently in a live Q&amp;A Anderson did speak about how challenging it was to bowl at Graeme Smith.

Graeme Smith’s record in Test matches is absolutely a different class especially considering that he faced the new ball as an opener. Smith has played around 117 Tests for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/south-africa-to-tour-pakistan-in-january-february-2021-after-14-years/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Africa</a> and has more than 9,000 runs in this format. He had a dream tour of England back in 2003 scoring two double hundreds.

Here’s what Anderson said “My first series against him was in 2003 and at that time I could only swing the ball back in, I didn’t have an out-swinger to a left-handed batsman. He further adds, “I was just feeding his strength, and I was getting so annoyed. He always got it through the leg-side. That series he got two double centuries and it was just impossible to bowl at him.”

2. Pat Cummins &#8211; Cheteshwar Pujara

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-369130" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Pat-Cummins.jpg" alt="Pat Cummins" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-369130" class="wp-caption-text">                         Pat Cummins. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pat Cummins who is currently the no.1 ranked Test match bowler, and also the part of the widely spoken fab four of bowlers across formats did reveal how difficult it was for him to get C Pujara out, when India won its first-ever Test series on the Australian soil.

On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara belongs to one of the rare breeds of batsmanship in today’s time by possessing a classical approach when it comes to batting in Test cricket. He is no doubt the modern-day wall of India’s Test match batting. On his visit to Australia in 2018-19, he smashed 521 runs averaging over 74 along with three centuries.

Here’s what Cummins said about Pujara &#8220;There are a lot of them out there, unfortunately. But I am going to go with someone different, and he is Cheteshwar <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/michael-neser-castles-cheteshwar-pujara-with-an-absolute-peach-in-warm-up-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pujara</a> from India. He was a real pain in the back for us,&#8221; Pat Cummins said. Further, he added that “He (Pujara) was an absolute rock for them in that series. (He was) Really hard to get out. Just ultra concentration all day, day after day. He is the hardest one in Test cricket so far, I think,&#8221; Cummins added.

3. Dale Steyn &#8211; Virender Sehwag

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-361658" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Dale-Steyn-1.jpg" alt="Dale Steyn" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-361658" class="wp-caption-text">                     Dale Steyn. (Photo Source: ANESH DEBIKY/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

There’s no second-guessing when almost every batsman of this century whoever played Dale Steyn has felt that he was South Africa’s most feared bowler. His bowling was all about accuracy which had extreme pace making the ball swing in both ways. Steyn, when he was at its prime did own the no.1 ranking as a Test bowler for the longest of times.

Virender <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/he-is-there-only-for-enjoyment-virender-sehwag-feels-glenn-maxwell-is-more-serious-about-his-golf-than-cricket-in-ipl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sehwag</a>, on the other hand, has always been a difficult proposition to bowl at, especially considering that he never cared about who the bowler was and didn’t take much time when it came to taking him for cleaners. He is also one of the very few batters who have scored a triple hundred on two occasions. One of those occasions was when Sehwag dismantled the South African bowling which had the likes of Steyn, Ntini, Kallis and Morne Morkel.

Here’s what Steyn said while wishing Sehwag on his 42nd birthday “Happy birthday Viru!  Hope it’s been a good one, my friend. PS. I still have nightmares of Chennai  @virendersehwag.” Steyn&#8217;s wishes clearly state that Sehwag has been the toughest one he met on the crease.

4. Mitchell Johnson &#8211; AB de Villiers

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302930" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Johnson.jpg" alt="Mitchell Johnson" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302930" class="wp-caption-text">                                   Mitchell Johnson. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The two time World Cup winner Mitchell Johnson who is often remembered for his deadly bowling in 2013-14 Ashes did take De Villiers&#8217; name as one of the toughest batsmen he had to bowl at. Johnson was one of the best left-arm seamers of his time.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/australia-vs-india-with-no-covid-19-cases-for-40-days-victoria-government-increases-crowd-capacity-for-boxing-day-test-to-30000-per-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Australia</a> has always been the place where De Villiers has often produced some the best knocks a batsman can ever play both in Tests and ODIs. He undoubtedly was the best batsman at the time when the 2015 World Cup happened in Australia and remains one of the greatest this generation ever saw.

Here’s what Johnson said about ABD “AB de Villiers, he&#8217;s one outstanding player of our generation. He was always so difficult to get out and a huge challenge.” Mr 360 still continues to be bowlers&#8217; nightmare in the modern day world.

5. Harbhajan Singh &#8211; Younis Khan

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-356831" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_347684.jpg" alt width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-356831" class="wp-caption-text">                   Harbhajan Singh (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Harbhajan Singh, who is one of India’s most prolific match-winner had recently in a live session with Rohit Sharma revealed about Younis Khan being one of the toughest he felt while bowling. Harbhajan also mentioned some other names such as Jacque Kallis, Matthew Hayden, Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Younis Khan has been one of Pakistan’s greatest Tests batsman who retired a few years back and maintains an average of 52 with a total of 34 centuries. No doubt he was often regarded as Pakistan’s best man during the times of adversity. He was also the skipper when Pakistan lifted its maiden World T20 title back in 2009.

Speaking about how Younis Khan troubled Singh back in his prime days, he said that he felt like crying. Here’s what <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/harbhajan-singh-only-indian-cricketer-from-2003-world-cup-squad-to-not-have-retired/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harbhajan</a> Singh said “Younis has annoyed me too much. I used to feel like crying while bowling him.” Khan was regarded as one of the most greatest middle order batsmen in longest format of the game.

6. Muttiah Muralitharan &#8211; Brian Lara

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-410200" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Muttiah-Muralitharan-1.jpg" alt="Muttiah Muralitharan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-410200" class="wp-caption-text">                   Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)</figcaption>

One of the greatest spinners who ever played the game and is also the leading wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs ,has praised the West Indian legend Brian Lara as the toughest batsman who came across him.

Muralitharan who perhaps had every kind of variation a spinner could in his armoury felt that the reason Lara played him better than others was because of his excellent hand-eye coordination which allowed him to pick his variation quite easily.

Here’s what the legendary spinner said about his peer “I think, of all the batsmen in the world, he plays my bowling better than anyone else, including Sachin Tendulkar. His eyesight and hand co-ordination is very good and he&#8217;s able to adjust very quickly to very good deliveries.”

7. Brett Lee &#8211; Jacques Kallis

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-403673" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Brett-Lee-pic.jpg" alt="Brett Lee" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-403673" class="wp-caption-text">                                 Brett Lee. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The former Australian speedster named the South African legend Jacques Kallis as the most complete cricketer during a chat show with Pommie Mbangwa on Cricbuzz. Lee who was one of the quickest bowlers in his time made batsman shiver with his furious pace.

Jacques Kallis who was one of the most complete all-rounders in his playing days scored more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs and has grabbed 292 and 273 wickets in both the formats. He also has most centuries after Sachin Tendulkar in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/david-warner-ruled-out-of-the-first-test-against-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Test</a> cricket.

Here’s what Lee said “I have always said that Sachin was the best batsman ever, but in my opinion the best cricketer that game has seen, and I would add that I haven’t seen Gary Sobers play, I have watched highlights and all, but from the players I have watched and played against, it has to be Jacques Kallis. He was the greatest complete cricketer. Kallis could open the bowling or play just as a batsman. He also caught those many catches at slips.”

8. Anil Kumble &#8211; Brian Lara

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302775" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Anil-Kumble.jpg" alt="Anil Kumble" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302775" class="wp-caption-text">                                           Anil Kumble. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Anil Kumble’s contributions for Indian cricket is a feat in itself and can largely be unmatched. However, the legendary spinner did name Brian Lara as the toughest he came across while playing for India in an interview with Pommie Mbangwa.

Brian Lara was an elegant stroke maker who probably had every shot in his book and could dismantle any bowler on any given day. Legends like Warne and Muralitharan often have named him as the toughest to bowl as well.

Here’s what Kumble said “Many batsmen who were very difficult to bowl at. But Brian Lara was probably at the top. He had four different shots to every delivery that you bowled and that was the biggest challenge, you thought you could beat him, you would get him but then he would change his stroke and sort of tap you through the third man.”

9. Jofra Archer &#8211; KL Rahul

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-445233" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jofra-Archer-2.jpg" alt="Jofra Archer" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-445233" class="wp-caption-text">                  Jofra Archer. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB)</figcaption>

Jofra Archer who was recently named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the year in 2019 did reveal as KL Rahul being the toughest batsman to bowl at in T20 cricket. Archer, since the time he has donned the England jersey, has been one of their premier bowlers, especially in white-ball format.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/virat-kohli-and-kl-rahul-climb-the-icc-t20i-batting-rankings-after-australia-tour/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KL Rahul</a> on the other hand has been India’s most sensational batsman since the conclusion of World Cup 2019. He has also been one of the most consistent performers in the last three editions of IPL for Kings XI Punjab. He even remained the proud owner of the Orange Cap in IPL 2020.

Here is what Archer said “There is no one else he has found difficult to bowl to, not even Virat Kohli or Suresh Raina, two of the most successful batsmen in the tournament. It is just KL Rahul who had probably got the better of him on most occasions.”

10. Shoaib Akhtar &#8211; Rahul Dravid

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-439661" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shoaib-Akhtar.jpg" alt="Shoaib Akhtar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-439661" class="wp-caption-text">                                                        Shoaib Akhtar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Shoaib Akhtar who is also called as ‘Rawalpindi Express’ has bowled in an era which consisted of a lot of all-time greats. However, the Pakistani speedster took Rahul Dravid’s name, especially when he was asked to pick from Indian batters.

Rahul Dravid has been the fourth-highest run-getter in Test cricket’s history and has been one of the great veterans of the game. His mental strength and discipline have always been widely acknowledged by his peers back in his playing days for India, including some Aussie cricketers like Steve Waugh, and Matthew Hayden.

Here’s what Akhtar said about Rahul Dravid “The biggest nightmare I ever faced was Rahul Dravid. He used to bore me. He was the first batsman who could intimidate me, in terms of when he walked in. I knew I would have to field for at least two sessions more.”

~Written by Jai Chainani

Bowlers often had tough times while facing some of the legendary batters in the history.

10 great bowlers and their most feared batsmen

West Indies great Brian Lara's name was quoted twice in this list by legendary spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble