Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, became a major talking point on social media platform X following South Africa’s first T20I against India. The buzz, however, was not match-related but stemmed from an intriguing debate initiated by the Cricket Iceland.
The account, known for its engaging cricket banter, posed the question: “If we exclude players from Australia, India, England, and West Indies, who is the greatest cricketer of all time?”
https://x.com/icelandcricket/status/1854884869874036774
Cricket enthusiasts flooded the platform with their responses and for many, the absence of South Africa from the exclusion list made Jacques Kallis an obvious choice. With over 1,500 comments, a significant number of users highlighted his immense contributions to cricket.
Here are some selected reactions:
https://x.com/Modern_Budhaa/status/1854889162517729701
https://x.com/cric_blog/status/1854999795099992084
https://x.com/amar__10/status/1854908785527251169
https://x.com/AswinSuresh_/status/1854969572899930254
https://x.com/RoundHouseBet/status/1854886076495663325
https://x.com/rjritesh1987/status/1854960188911939888
https://x.com/Kerrthing/status/1854889860802449736
https://x.com/trawasthi_ai/status/1854935415809061208
https://x.com/PravinDon123/status/1854935968685641796
Widely revered as one of the game’s all-time greats, Jacques Kallis’ stature goes beyond being an all-rounder—his record speaks for itself. In his illustrious career spanning 166 tests, Jacques Kallis amassed over 13,000 runs, placing him third on the all-time Test runs list, while also claiming nearly 300 wickets. His ability to dominate both as a batter and as a bowler cements his legacy in cricket history.
Fans frequently mentioned Jacques Kallis’ versatility, noting how he could warrant selection in South Africa’s lineup as either a specialist batsman or bowler. His prowess in all facets of the game puts him among the elite, often regarded alongside iconic figures like Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar and Vivian Richards. For cricket enthusiasts, Kallis’ achievements set a benchmark for excellence in the sport, particularly among all-rounders.
While Jacques Kallis emerged as a clear favourite in this debate, other cricketing greats were also brought into the discussion. Sri Lankan legends such as Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara received mentions for their incredible records.
Pakistani stars Wasim Akram and Imran Khan also found support from fans for their contributions to cricket. From New Zealand, Richard Hadlee and modern-day great Kane Williamson were highlighted. Nevertheless, the consensus on Kallis being the foremost pick demonstrated his widespread recognition and respect among the cricketing community.
