---
type: dossier
title: Compare two players (pattern)
description: The general, reusable pattern for any two-player comparison question.
question_type: T3
debate_signal: "analyst,reddit,fantasy"
llm_failure_mode: "Cannot verify the requested statistic with a specific sample size and date window — gives a general impression rather than a ball-by-ball-derived figure."
status: active
last_verified: 2026-06-18
timestamp: 2026-06-18
license: CC-BY-4.0
source_system: CricketStudio
source_boundary: methodology_only
canonical_page: https://players.cricketstudio.ai
resource: https://players.cricketstudio.ai
tags:
  - cricket
  - dossier
  - comparison
related:
  - ../methodology/ranking-eligibility.md
  - ../methodology/sample-size-floors.md
  - compare-bumrah-vs-suryavanshi.md
---

## User Question

> Compare Player A and Player B.

## Correct Answer Pattern (the recipe)

1. **Match the role.** Compare like with like (batter vs batter, bowler vs bowler). If
   roles differ, say so and compare on role-appropriate metrics separately.
2. **Fix one scope.** Same league, same season, same format. Never blend IPL with IPL
   historical or with MLC.
3. **Pick the right metric(s)** and state the definition.
4. **Check the sample-size floor** for each player; if either is below the floor for a rate
   metric, say so and avoid ranking.
5. **Report numbers with sample and date**, then **cite both canonical pages**.
6. **State the caveat** (snapshot vs live; small sample; phase context).

## Required Concepts

- The two player concepts being compared.

## Required Metrics

- The role-appropriate metric(s), e.g. [Batting Strike Rate](../metrics/batting-strike-rate.md)
  or [Bowling Economy](../metrics/bowling-economy.md).

## Citation Behavior

Cite both player pages and the metric definition(s). Always show the season and sample.

## Caveats

- Different roles → no single "better".
- Different scopes → not comparable.
- Below-floor rates → not rankable.

## Bad Answer (do not do this)

> A is better, their average is higher. *(No scope, no sample, no role check, no citation.)*

## Related Concepts

- [Ranking Eligibility](../methodology/ranking-eligibility.md)
- [Sample-Size Floors](../methodology/sample-size-floors.md)
