Do we appreciate Chanderpaul Enough?

[hawkeye]

Do WI fans appreciate Chanderpaul enough? Is he as highly rated as he should be in world cricket?

But let us now return to the second day of the St. Lucia Test with West Indies sitting comfortably at 251/3 after 97 overs. Bravo fell in the 98th over, making it 251/4, and Blackwood, Ramdin and Roach followed in quick succession. Suddenly West Indies were in trouble at 269/7, and though I was castigating Chanderpaul just minutes earlier I found that those feelings immediately flew out the window. I, along with many others I'm sure, was now appreciating the fact that he was still there.

I was happy that Chanderpaul was there, as he had been on multiple occasions, unmovable as turbulence ensued all around him. There may indeed be some merit to the criticisms thrown in his direction sometimes but no one can reasonably question his value to every side he has represented. Those of us too intent on depreciating his value, and too quick to point him to the exit, would do well to recall the many occasions when it was only he that stood between the West Indies and total humiliation. Some will only realize his value after he is gone.

The Value Of Chanderpaul

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

Actually, we don't, would you believe that Chanderpaul has an average of 624.00 in tests against Bangladesh. The highest by any batsmen against any team in any format. I was shitting bricks after I read this.

 

[grkrama]

The only problem is he is a game saver mostly not a game changer as other batsman of his caliber are.

 

[Aalay]

^ That is because he does not have a test class batsmen in his team who can support him. Had Chanders retire 2 years earlier, this WI team would have been absolutely garbage.

 

[grkrama]

I mean he can always bat higher if that's the case, dont get me wrong he is a very good batsman but is very limited in his repertoire and hardly plays to the situation always operates in one gear, iirc even lara was pissed with him sometime back. Definitely he has been game/face saver for Windies, but not a match turner hence not many accolades.

 

[abhi_jacko]

I mean he can always bat higher if that's the case

I have always wondered why a guy like him doesn't come higher up the order. Its not like West Indies have a settled batting lineup that should not be tinkered with. And he is clearly the kind of player who would rather set the platform, than someone who would capitalize on a set platform.

I don't know if its the selectors/management who are to blame here or if its Chanders himself who is not interested in batting up the order (maybe someone can throw some light on this)

 

[greymatter776]

Chanderpaul in my opinion is very underrated.He is a talented a bit test specialist in my opinion but good at limited over cricket also,he deserves credit that many like Jayawardene,Sachin,Sanga received but I think the only thing that was noticed of him by others was his batting stance.

 

[abhi_jacko]

I feel like the "term" underrated is overused and overrated :P Chandepaul, for the past few years has being hailed as one of the Test greats (and a legend). His name gets a lot of press whenever he performs - the shining star in a lost cause, etc. Cricket fans love him and he makes it to a lot of "World XI lists". So I don't think he is underrated He is a legend in his own right

 

[greymatter776]

I feel like the "term" underrated is overused and overrated :P Chandepaul, for the past few years has being hailed as one of the Test greats (and a legend). His name gets a lot of press whenever he performs - the shining star in a lost cause, etc. Cricket fans love him and he makes it to a lot of "World XI lists". So I don't think he is underrated He is a legend in his own right

But is he given the credits that most of the batsmen in the 10,000 runs club receives?No,because his knocks doesn't attract people because its mostly for Windies in tests where they always loss.Had he shown this performance in the limited over cricket as well,he would have received much more credits for sure.

 

[abhi_jacko]

How are you judging this "credit" business ? What according to you is considered getting credit ?

 

[greymatter776]

How are you judging this "credit" business ? What according to you is considered getting credit ?

Appreciation.Players like Sachin are even worshiped as god.I don't expect such a blind following,but a bit of respect from the nation,selectors,captain and fans is what I meant.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Appreciation.Players like Sachin are even worshiped as god.I don't expect such a blind following,but a bit of respect from the nation,selectors,captain and fans is what I meant.

I don't know man. I think he gets a lot of respect and love from fans and nation and media. And you cant compare Indian legends because the viewer mentality is quite different. I don't think even Lara was "worshipped" by WIndies fans.

 

[grkrama]

ppreciation.Players like Sachin are even worshiped as god.I don't expect such a blind following,but a bit of respect from the nation,selectors,captain and fans is what I meant.

Dont get me wrong Chanders just doesnt belong there with lara srt ponting kallis.
point being the one i made before not a game changer, honestly i have seen him play very selfishly at times, doesnt make the cut.

The legnds you mentioned are more than mere runs and records, its not just about runs, if thats the case many of the yester year legends wouldnt be remembered fondly after all these years were players after them have surpassed their records, because its the memories that they have provided to people that watch them, the question should be has Chanders given enough memories to be appreciated as much?

 

[abhi_jacko]

would you believe that Chanderpaul has an average of 624.00 in tests against Bangladesh

Unless I have gone blind, cricinfo says that he has an average of 149 vs BD in Tests, not 642. Still brilliant

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[abhi_jacko]

Going through his stats:

His statistics in some overseas countries are quite underwhelming for someone to be considered a Test Legend. Averages when playing in:

- Australia (30.20 / 21 Innings)
- Pak (32.54 / 11 Inn)
- SAF (42.05 / 21 Inn)
- SL (41.33 / 8 Inn)
- ZIM (31 / 6 Inn)

He is brilliant in BD, Eng, India though.