Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara have something in common. They made their iternational debuts almost at the same time. Though Sachin Tendulkar born on 24th April 1973 is 4 years younger to Brian Lara born on 2nd May 1969, Sachin Tendulkar made his debut first playing his first Test Match on 15th Nov 1989 while Brian Lara first represented his country just a year later in a one dayer on 9th Nov 1990. While Sachin Tendulkar has been compared with Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, Inzamam Ul Haq, Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting at one point of time or another in his career, he has been compared with Brian Lara for the most part of his career.
From a cricketing angle both Lara and Sachin shared a interesting bond as both represented weaker countries when they made their debuts. Lara made his debut when West Indies cricket were on the down slide while Sachin made his debut for an Indian team which was famous for drawing Test Matches as Indian team never boasted of any batsmen who can take the opposition bowling by the scruff of the neck to win matches. Lack of penetration in bowling and over defensive batting meant that Indias were never looking at winning matches.
However where Sachin scored over Lara is that his brand of game, a amalgam of unbridled aggression coupled with perfect technique inspired millions to take up the game in India and other parts of the world. The most destructive batsmen in the world today i.e. Virender Sehwag took up the game inspired by Sachin and Sehwag is one reason why India is winning Test matches these days on a consistent basis. Others superstars like Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni known for hitting out the best of bowlers in the world too took up the game inspired by Sachin's heroices. Thanks to Sachin's exploits India are the No.1 Test team in the world and held that spot in one dayers too not too long back.
Brian Lara though a genius failed in the same area where Sachin Tendulkar succeeded wonderfully. Lara could not change the fortunes of a West Indian team on the down slide except for winning a few matches on his own which however were few and far between. While the cricketing world can proudly talk about Lara's achievements, those achievements however failed to inspire others to make into the West Indian team. It is almost impossible to find the talent of a Sehwag, Yuvraj or Dhoni in West Indian team.
Lara and Sachin find themselves in the middle of another comparison and that at this point of time is the biggest cricketing comparison. Both of them have achieved something which was never achieved. Lara is the only person to score a 400 in a Test innings, while Sachin is the only batsman in the world to score a 200 in a one dayer. Co incidentally both of them remained unbeaten on 400 and 200 respectively.
Laras 400 against England in 2004 at St Johns was important for two reasons because Lara reclaimed his world record from Mathew Hayden. Lara first held the record in April 1994 when he scored 375 against England at St Johns but after holding it for 9 years lost to Mathew Hayden, when Hayden scored 381 against Zimbabwe in October 2003. Lara's fighting spirit enabled to reclaim the record in just 6 months which speaks highly about him. However Lara's 400 was marred by a couple of controversies. Firstly under Lara's captaincy west Indies were thrashed 3-0 at that too at home in the 4 match series. Lara to save his face ordered for a batting pitch to save a 4-0 whitewash which one must admit is a negative tactic as he should have gone for a facing win than for a draw. A perfect batting beauty was ordered and Lara exploited it to the maximum. Even before Lara reached 400 West Indies piled up enough runs so that Lara can declare and leash out his bowlers to pick up 20 England wickets for a win, but Lara in his pursuit of individual glory went on to bat till he reached 400 and in the process his bowlers could not get sufficient overs to skittle out England twice in the match.
On the contrary Sachin's 200 at Gwalior on 24th Feb 2010 was more important as it come under more trying circumstances. Indians needed to win the series against South Africa to finish the year as No.2 team in the world and the bag the ICC prize for the second best team in the world. Indians just managed to ward of defeat in the first ODI and it was important for them to close the series in the 2nd game as a loss would mean real pressure in the decider which eventually India lost as Sachin was rested in the third game. Sachin's 200 was significant for a couple of reasons, firstly because it came against one of the best pace attacks in the world which boasted of the likes of Dale Steyn who probably is the fastest in the world at the moment, and secondly it came in a pressure game and one which sealed the runner up sport for India in ICC year end rankings. Another team which should place Sachin's 200 above Lara's 400 is the fact that it Sachin had to got those 200 runs in 50 overs, while Lara was at liberty to get 400 in his own sweet time since there is not time limit for a batsman in a Test Match for he can bat the entire 5 days. The fact that Sachin got to his 200 after 20 years is another achievement because not many are capable of lasting 20 years.