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Top-10 Greatest Batsmen of All-time in Cricket | Best Batsman in the World 2021

Top-10 Greatest Batsmen of All-time in Cricket | Best Batsman in the World 2021

By CricbrowsePublished 3 years ago 7 min read
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Greatest Batsmen of All time

Cricket has grown by leaps and bound ever since its inception in the 18th century. A sport that survives for more than centuries, must have an exotic attribute that connects its followers unconditionally. One such aspect of our game is the batting craft. With so much that has changed in cricket in the last century, batters have largely become the shining stars of the game.

It requires extra skills, talent, and determination to score runs against some quality bowlers. Today, batters understand the need to display temperament in the respective formats which indeed offers a great challenge.

In the past, various batting legends have shown profound resilience during their prime and have earned a right to feature among the greatest batsmen of all time.

Here’s is a list of Top-10 Greatest Batsmen of All-time in Cricket:

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is arguably greatest batsmen of all time

Sachin Tendulkar made his India debut against Pakistan in 1989. While he began as a 16-year old child prodigy, he never looked back and went onto register most runs in international cricket. Tendulkar was at the peak of his powers during the late 90s. Amongst his century of hundreds, his most revered innings came against Australia in 1998, popularly known as the ‘Desert Storm’.

More than his runs, it was his consistency to reign supreme in the international game for 24 long years that was hugely admired. Someone who was regarded as the cricketing version of god in India, Tendulkar is a worthy entrant in the list of the best batsmen in the world. With a humungous 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, Sachin called time upon his career in 2013.

2. Sir Vivian Richards

Sir Vivian Richards dominated cricket with swagger

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Sir Vivian Richards dominated cricket with swagger

Sir Vivian Richards was roped into the national cricket team for the first time against India in 1974. Not to everybody’s surprise, his charisma and body language petrified the bowlers during his reign. He drew immense spotlight after he smoked 291 runs against England in 1976 at Oval. In 121 test matches, he smashed 8540 runs at an average of 50.

The batting legend featured in 187 ODI matches scoring 6721 runs. The numbers transcend the importance he attached to his team. Richards was often regarded way ahead of his team. He was one of the few batters who could instill fear in the mind of the opposition team.

3. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has scored most Test double tons since 2016

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Virat Kohli has scored most Test double tons since 2016

Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in the world in 2021. His aggression and hunger to score runs in adverse and critical situations add legitimacy to his captain’s post. Although he is yet to retire, his unbelievable stats put him on this list for the greatest batsmen. The Delhi-based batsman has played in 92 Test matches smothering 7547 runs.

He’s a modern-day great in ODIs, especially for his ability to chase down targets without any fuss. Kohli has scored over 12k ODI runs at an average nearing 60. India’s current captain also has a record 70 centuries to his name in nearly 13 years of international cricket.

4. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is one of Australia’s greatest batsmen (Image Source: Getty Images)

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Ricky Ponting is one of Australia’s greatest batsmen (Image Source: Getty Images)

Australian legend Ricky Ponting grabbed innumerable laurels to his name during his career. Under his leadership, the Kangaroos lifted three World Cups consecutively. After making his debut against Sri Lanka in 1995, the former Australian racked up over 13k Test runs at an average of 51.85 in 168 appearances for that national team. Although he retired from the cricketing world in 2012, he has left an indelible print in everybody’s minds. Popularly known for his impeccable pull shot, Ponting features in the list of the best batsman in the world.

5. Brian Lara

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Brian Lara scored the highest individual score in Test Cricket

One of the greatest left-handers to have ever played the game, Brian Lara made his debut for the West Indies against Pakistan in 1990. The southpaw was a ruthless batsman who thrashed the bowlers mercilessly. He featured in 131 test matches wherein he scored 11953 runs at an average of 52. The 299 ODI matches saw him scoring 10495 runs at a majestic strike rate of 79.51.

During his entire career, the 52-year-old legend broke innumerable records but none greater than registering the highest individual score of 400* in Test Cricket. In Antigua in 2004, Lara annihilated the English attack to register a mammoth 400 runs off just 582 balls. It was an innings laden with artistry, patience, dominance, and pleasing stroke-making.

6. Kumar Sangakkara

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Kumar Sangakkara was inducted into the ICC hall of fame in 2021 (Image Source: ICC/Twitter)

Another elegant left-hander who blessed his presence at the international level, Kumar Sangakkara represented the Sri Lankan for nearly 15 years. His leadership acumen helped him be at the helm of affairs for the majority of his career as a Sri Lankan cricketer. The Sri Lankan No.3 broke and registered many records to his name. In his iconic partnership with Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa, Kumar scored 287 to share a monumental 624-run stand for the third wicket.

In 134 test matches, he collected 12400 runs at an average of 57. With 11 double centuries in Tests,, Sangakkara still holds the record for most double centuries in Test cricket since the 2000s.

7. Sir Donald Bradman

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Sir Donald Bradman

Australia has acquired a place in cricket history as one of the first nations to play the game alongside England. Australian cricket saw its happiest days during the era of Sir Donald Bradman. He had set the benchmark of batsman all over the world and is touted as the greatest of all time. The 20-year career spanned between 1928 and 1948. He was the chief who engineered the Australian batting order with his brilliance.

The right-hander played in 52 test matches wherein he scored an astonishing 6996 runs at an unprecedented average of 99.94. Unfortunately, he was bowled out for a golden duck in his final match which held him from getting a rock-solid average of 100. Therefore, his achievements will remain in the archives for time immemorial.

8. Wally Hammond

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Wally Hammond – An English Giant (Image Source: Getty Images)

England-based Sir Wally Hammond was hailed as the most astounding batsman during his era. His batting skills were unparalleled and unwavering. He debuted against South Africa at Wanderers in 1927. Although his 50-run notch in the first innings showed signs of greatness, a lot was in store for the analysts. In 85 Test matches, he scored 7249 runs at an average of 58.46. Subsequently, Hammond has remained in the hearts of every cricket fanatic even today.

9. Jack Hobbs

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Sir Jack Hobbs (Image Source: Getty Images)

Sir Jack Hobbs debuted for England against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1908. In his debut match. he mustered 83 runs in the first innings helping England to reach a respectable total. Eventually, the batting legend went on to score 5410 runs in 61 matches. His strike rate was 99.28. The right-hander scored 15 centuries which was a rare feat achieved by few batsmen during that time. Thus, Sir Jack Hobbs is respectfully acknowledged as the All-time greats in the business.

10. Sunil Gavaskar

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Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman to score 10k Test runs

The Mumbai-based batsman scripted heroics with the bat on his debut series against the deadly West Indies in 1971. Indian batting heavyweight Sunil Gavaskar has rescued India from an embarrassing defeat on various occasions. The top-order batsman had a delightful career smashing as many as 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12.

His decorated International stint for India saw him scoring 34 centuries including four double hundreds. Therefore, his retirement in 1987 was a huge blow to the batting line-up of the Indian cricket team. His efforts had helped the team to triumph in various matches abroad which was an unusual sight during that time.

Note: The above list is only indicative of the top-10 greatest batsmen of all time without any ranking.

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Cricbrowse

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