Top 10 Greatest Batsmen of All Time

Top 10 Greatest Batsmen of All Time

There have always been courteous batters in cricket. Over the years, it has generated many batters who have defeated global bowlers. Playing against heavy swings is difficult, particularly when confronting world-class bowlers.

To be ranked among the greatest batters requires discipline, determination, and a “never-give-up” mentality. Some batsmen executed the 22-yard task flawlessly and established numerous world records in cricket history. Here is a list of the 10 greatest fast bowlers ever [year].

1) Sachin Tendulkar – India

Sachin Tendulkar is ranked number one on the list of the greatest batters ever. No one is given the title “GOD” in any profession. Sachin Tendulkar played like a god throughout his 24-year career, which began when he began representing India on the international stage.

In 1989, at the age of 16, “Master Blaster” made his debut against Pakistan. In his debut series, he scored two gritty fifties, which negated any claims that he was an ordinary child.

It was incredible that he could succeed against bowlers like Akram and McGrath, given his 5’5” height. After Kapil Dev’s retirement, he carried the Indian batting throughout the 1990s.

In 1996, when Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were added to his batting lineup, he became more lethal. In the 2003-04 Test series against Australia in Sydney, he scored 241 runs without attempting a single cover drive, demonstrating his tremendous control as a batsman.

He participated in six World Cups and scored six centuries, the most by any batsman. In 2010, when everyone believed Sachin’s career was ending, he debunked this notion by scoring the first-ever double-century in limited-overs cricket against South Africa.

In 2012, he scored his 100th hundred against Bangladesh, a divine feat. Sachin, one of the kindest individuals to ever play cricket, bowed out of the sport in 2013 after 24 years of service with supporters in tears.

2) Sir Don Bradman – Australia

Those who witnessed his batting consider him the finest batsman to play cricket, even though he was rarely shown on television. He was the game’s eldest and preeminent legend. His unbelievable average of 99.94 in 52 Tests demonstrates his dominance with the bat, which was less sophisticated than it is today.

He ran amok with a straightforward technique and enviable hand-eye coordination throughout the years. The fact that he only struck six sixes in his entire career demonstrates how cautiously and prudently he played. In 80 innings across 52 Tests, he scored 29 centuries, including the most by any batsman, 12 double centuries, and three triple centuries, all at a strike rate of 71.4.

His career began in 1928 and continued for 20 years. He took retirement in 1948. The legend died on February 25, 2001, after living an extraordinary existence that left an impression on everyone else.

3) Virat Kohli – India

Next on our ranking of the greatest batters of all time is Virat Kohli. Kohli is the undisputed monarch of modern cricket and a sporting legend. His expectations for himself could be more attainable.

Regardless of the format or opponent, his aggression and passion are evident everywhere he plays. Kohli made his debut in ODI in 2008 against Sri Lanka. In 2011, he made his Test debut against the West Indies.

He scored several crucial runs during India’s 2011 World Cup victory. 2014 was a difficult year for him in Tests as he labored against the English swing. However, four months later, he scored four centuries in Australian Tests.

4) Rickey Ponting – Australia

Ricky Ponting, nicknamed “Punter,” was one of history’s most ardent cricket players. Under his leadership, Australia achieved new heights. Aggression was his defining characteristic, manifested in his batting and on-field conduct.

In 1995, Ponting made his ODI debut against South Africa and Test debut against Sri Lanka. It took him a year to score a hundred in an ODI. It occurred against Sri Lanka, in which he scored 123 runs.

Between 2002 and 2007, he scored 41 centuries in Tests and One-Day Internationals. In addition to being a batsman, he was a driven leader. Following the transition from Steve Waugh to Ricky Ponting as captain, Australia won consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007.

In 2006 and 2009, he also led the team to victory in the Champions Trophy, demonstrating his dominance as captain. He retired in 2012 as the second-highest centurion with over 13,000 runs in both formats and 71 centuries. Australians will be eternally grateful for his contribution to the game.

5) Jacques Kallis – South Africa

The most distinguished cricketer of all time was Jacques Kallis. His batting was nearly flawless, but his bowling was unparalleled. His athleticism in all facets of the game was astounding. His physical fitness is admirable.

In 1995, he debuted for South Africa against England at Kingsmead. His breakthrough innings came in 1997 against Australia at MCG, scoring 101 runs off 279 deliveries to assist South Africa in drawing the Test.

Afterward, he never glanced back. His highest Test score was 224 against Sri Lanka in Cape Town, where he won the match. In the 2003-2004 season, he was among only four batters to score a century in five consecutive matches. Brian Lara once stated, “If I had to choose between Kallis and Dravid to play for my life, it would be them.”

Kallis is the only player to score 10,000 runs in Tests and capture 250 wickets. He scored as many runs and took as many wickets in ODIs as he did in Tests. He was not only the finest batsman but also an outstanding all-rounder. In 2014, he retired, only to be mourned by his admirers around the globe.

6) Rahul Dravid – India

Rahul Dravid was the “Wall” of Indian cricket for more than fifteen years. His brilliance was not limited to his batting; he also exhibited it in his conduct. He was the gentlemanliest and most admired cricketer ever to play the game. He was the embodiment of humility and modesty.

In his 1996 début against England, Rahul Dravid scored 95 runs in the first innings, leaving him just 5 runs short of registering his name on the Lord’s Honour board. Nonetheless, his wish for a century in the Lords was granted 15 years later, in 2011.

His greatest innings came against Australia in the 2003 Adelaide Test, when he countered Ricky Ponting’s 242 with 233 in the first innings and 72 not out in the second to defeat them by four runs. In 2011, at the end of his career, he scored three centuries in England Tests, making the series a one-person performance.

In 2011, he retired with 36 Test centuries, including 5 200s and 12 ODI centuries. He scored over 10,000 runs in both Tests and One-Day Internationals. Once, Harsha Bhogle stated, “If you ask him to walk on water, he will ask how many kilometers.”

He was the ideal team player. After retirement, he fosters the newer generation of Indian cricket with outstanding results. India is honored to behold Rahul Dravid’s greatness.

7) Sir Viv Richards – West Indies

Sir Viv Richards was the era’s most fearsome batsman. How he played and his statistics demonstrate that he was far ahead of his time in cricket. His ruthless style of batting used to leave spectators in awe.

Sir Viv made his debut against India in 1974 in Bangalore. He scored his first Test century in the second match of his inaugural series by smashing six enormous sixes and twenty-fours.

This type of performance was uncommon during that period. In 1986, he struck the quickest Test century ever in 56 deliveries. Viv scored over 8000 runs with an average of 50.26 and a strike rate of over 86, which is virtually unheard of even in the modern era.

He scored over 6000 runs at a strike rate of 90.2% in ODIs. Sir Viv was the embodiment of aggression as a gamble. He retired in 1991 but was able to etch his name into the annals of cricket history.

8) Sunil Gavaskar – India

Courage and temerity are two terms that accurately describe Sunil Gavaskar’s aura. Imagine competing successfully against these West Indian behemoth bowlers without protection. Due to his diminutive stature, he was dubbed “Little Master,” yet he revived the Test batting in the early 1970s.

In 1971, the 22-year-old made his international debut against the West Indies. He scored his first century in the third Test of his debut Test series. In the final Test of the same series, he became the second batsman to score two centuries. During his 16-year career, he amassed 34 centuries and 4 double hundreds. In 1983, against Wisconsin, he made 236 runs not out while dominating the home conditions.

Before his retirement in 1987, he inspired a generation of batters to bat fearlessly in all conditions. After saying goodbye, he began to comment. He now enhances the game with his insightful perspectives.

9) Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka

Kumar Sangakkara was one of cricket’s most effective left-handed batsmen. Whether a stylish cover drive or sly flip, every shot he played was phenomenal. In 2000 at Galle, he made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan. He made his Test debut 15 days later against South Africa at the same venue.

In 2007, he reached his zenith when he scored two consecutive double-centuries against Bangladesh. His tenacity was on display against Australia in the same year. With 192 runs in the fourth innings of the Hobart test, he single-handedly battled the formidable Australians.

Kumar scored eleven Test double centuries, the second-most of any batsman. As a leader, he led his team to the 2011 World Cup Final, despite losing. In addition to batting, he was the best wicketkeeper. His record of 482 dismissals remains unsurpassed.

He played for nearly fifteen years. He became the first player in the 2015 World Cup to score four consecutive centuries in a single tournament. He will be remembered as the finest left-handed player in the history of baseball.

10) Alastair Cook – England

Alastair Cook is the final batsman on our selection of the finest batters ever. There were few batsmen no bowler could dismiss if they glued themselves to the ground. Sir Alastair Cook was one of those individuals. Throughout his tenure, he was England’s spearhead at the starting position.

He made a sensational debut against India in 2006. In the second innings of the Nagpur Test, he scored 104 runs. In his first season, he scored four centuries, including 116 in the fourth innings of the Perth Test in the Ashes.

His early retirement at age 33 left him unaffected by the milestones of 15000 test runs and 50 test hundreds, both of which were close by. In 2018, he concluded his tenure with a superb century in his final test match.

Also Read: Greatest Fast Bowlers of All Time