Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time

There has always been a sensual debate whenever there is a talk about the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time, but do you know what qualifies as the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time?

What makes a Player the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time?

Did you know about the many qualities that are required along with an abundant amount of skills that need to be mastered before some people can claim themselves as one of the Greatest Cricket batsmen of All Time?

Key skills to become one are:

1. They can predict the length and line of the ball accurately.
2. They have quick reflexes and fast decision-making skills.
3. They can show effortless footwork and know a variety of shots.
4. They have excellent hand-eye coordination and outstanding concentration skills.

To better understand how to improve or practice these skills click here.

Debate About the Best?

Some say it is Sachin Tendulkar, whereas some say it is Don Bradman. This debate could easily go on for many years with no correct answers.

However, in these debates, there are a few key names that always appear.

These people are always said to be the greatest cricket batsmen of all time and no one can dethrone them easily.

In this post, we take a look at those players along with their stats and some of their greatest achievements.

Top Cricket Batsmen in the World

Here is the list of the best batsmen in the world in all formats.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

He was nicknamed “The God of Cricket” because of his perfect form, perfect posture, and immaculate timing for different shots.

No one in the world would not deny that he was one of the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time

He is currently the only player to make a hundred 100s.

There was no place on the field where he could not make a shot. He made the first double-century in one-day cricket and retired on November 16, 2013.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	463	18,426	200	44.83	49	96	2016	195
Test	200	15,921	248	53.78	51	68	2058	69
T20I	1	10	10	10	0	0	2	0
T20 League	78	2,334	100	33.83	1	13	295	29

2. Donald Bradman (Australia)

Sir Donald Bradman beyond any argument was one of the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time who ever lived and the greatest cricketer of the 20th century.

He scored a century in just 22 balls!! He had the highest batting average in test cricket which was 99.94!!

It was because of him that numerous other people started chasing their dream of becoming a cricketer.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
Tests	52	6,996	334	99.94	29	13	681	6

3. Virat Kohli (India)

The current hot take of the public regarding the greatest cricket batsman is this person.

Virat Kohli has broken many records and has even surpassed Sachin Tendulkar in a few of them.

He has scored six 6s in 6 balls, the perfect score for any batsman.

Virat Kohli has already won millions of hearts and has embedded his name in the list of the Greatest cricket batsman in the world.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	278	13,024	183	57.63	47	65	1221	142
Test	111	8,676	254	49.30	29	28	966	24
T20I	115	4,008	122	52.74	1	37	356	117
T20 League	237	7,263	113	37.25	7	50	643	234

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting is unarguably one of the greatest batsmen to ever play. He has created many records and has captivated the hearts of millions of fans throughout the globe.

He is the most successful captain in international cricket history, with 220 victories in 324 matches with a winning rate of 67.91%.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	375	13,704	164	42.04	30	82	1231	162
Test	168	13,378	257	51.85	41	62	1509	73
T20I	17	401	98	28.64	0	2	41	11
T20 League	10	91	28	10.11	0	0	5	2

5. Sunil Manohar Gavaskar (India)

Sunil Gavaskar also known as the “Little Champion” is acknowledged as one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time. He also was the first cricketer to make over 10,000 Test Runs.

His batting revolved around precise technique and power, he was no doubt one the greatest defensive players of all time.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	108	3,092	103	51.12	34	45	234	21
Tests	125	10,122	236	35.14	1	27	1016	26

6. Brian Lara (West Indies)

Brian Lara is considered one of the greatest left-handed cricket batsmen to have ever played the game of cricket.

He built massive scores fast and often, he also holds the record for most runs in an innings by a captain in test matches.

He was also known as “The Prince of Port of Spain” or simply “The Prince”.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	299	10,405	169	40.17	19	63	1035	133
Tests	131	11,953	400	52.89	34	48	1559	88

7. Viv Richards (West Indies)

Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, a name every cricket fan knows and adores. Throughout his whole career, he never wore a helmet while playing.

Back then, in the 1970s aggressive batting was not even a thing. But he changed that and along with it, he changed the way millions play cricket today.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	187	6,721	189	47.0	11	45	600	126
Tests	121	8,540	291	50.24	24	45	1051	84

8. Wally Hammond (England)

The appointed captain of England and was one of the greatest cricket batsmen of all time. He was also one of the best slip fielders ever.

His scores are proof that he was an uncontrollable beast on the playfield reaching for high scores like no other.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
Tests	85	7,249	336	58.4	22	24	512	27

9. Jack Hobbs (England)

Sir John Berry Hobbs commonly known as Jack Hobbs had one other name, “The Master”.

If only his career was not interrupted by the Great War he would surely have scored more.

He scored nearly 200 centuries and at the age of 46, he made another century making him the oldest person to score a test century.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
Tests	61	5,410	211	56.95	15	28	316	8

10. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Not only was Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara regarded as one of the best batsmen in cricket history but was also a top-level wicket-keeper.

He captained the Sri Lankan national team in all three formats and is the 2nd highest run scorer in international cricket history.

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest	Average	100s	50s	4s	6s
ODI	404	14,234	169	41.99	25	93	1385	88
Test	134	12,400	319	57.14	38	52	1491	51
T20I	56	1,382	78	31.41	0	8	139	20
T20 League	71	1,687	94	25.95	0	10	195	27

Conclusion

There is no end to the debate of who will ultimately take the throne of the Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time. Neither is everyone playing for the same amount of time nor are they playing in the same conditions.

To pick up only one batsman from all the players would be arrogance simply because it is impossible.

Rather than picking out a favorite, it would be better to enjoy every game played by these players as is the ultimate motive of the sports, “enjoying”.