Skilled batsmen made the game of Cricket their own. Some greatest batsmen dominated Cricket throughout their careers. Since the cricket was born, there were far some greatest batsmen that the fans have witnessed. Those masterful strokes, trademark strokes, footwork, drives, hooks/pulls, and several other skillful strokes makes them lovers of the gentleman’s game go crazy. These are determined by their playing styles, statistical performances, and reputation as a result of their abilities.
Here’s a list of Greatest Batsmen of All Time –
- DON BRADMAN
Despite the fact that not much of him had been seen on television, those who had seen him hit thought he was the best batsman to ever play cricket. He was the game's first and longest legend. His unbelievable test average of 99.94 across 52 games demonstrates his prowess with a bat that was not as sophisticated as it is today. With a straightforward technique and appealing hand eye coordination, he has over the years run wild. He had 29 centuries the most by any batsman in 80 games over 52 Test matches, including 12 double centuries. He also had three triple centuries, all while maintaining a strike rate of 71.4. His career, which he began in 1928, continued 20 years.
- SACHIN TENDULKAR
No one simply receives the tag of "GOD" in any profession. Since the day he began playing for India on the international stage 24 years ago. At the age of 16, "Master Blaster" made his début in 1989 against Pakistan. After Kapil Dev's retirement in the 1990s, he carried the Indian batting on his own shoulders for the full decade. Without playing a single cover drive during the 2003-04 Test series against Australia in Sydney, he scored 241 runs unbeaten. This demonstrated the extreme discipline he possessed in his batting. He played in six World Cups, scoring the most hundreds of any batsman. When everyone believed Sachin's career was coming to a close in 2010, he proved everyone wrong by scoring the first double hundred in Odis against South Africa. He scored his 100th century against Bangladesh in 2012, which is a milestone.
- BRIAN LARA
Simply put, Brian Lara is recognised as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. In a number of tests, the West Indies have regained their composure thanks to Lara's wizardry. The player has 11,953 runs at an average of 52.89, 34 hundreds, and nine double centuries to his credit. In addition to breaking Gary Sobers' 36year mark for the highest individual Test score (365), his 375 against England in Antigua in 1994 also helped West Indies escape the initial threat when the West Indies were struggling at 12 for 2 wickets. More notable efforts by Lara include his unbeaten 153 against Australia in Bridgetown in 1999 and his 213 against Australia during the same series. Lara is thus without a question one of Test cricket's most reliable batsmen. The best innings ever played in this competition was his 400 not out against England. Lara is the holder of many cricket titles. His playing technique wowed audiences all over the world.
4.VIV RICHARDS
Viv Richards is one of the greatest and the most fearsome batsmen of all time. His playing style and statistics demonstrate how far ahead of his time he was in cricket. His devastating style of hitting used to leave the crowd in disbelief. In Bangalore, Sir Viv made his debut in 1974 against India. In the second Test of his inaugural series, he scored his first Test century, hitting 20 fours and six enormous sixes. At the time, this kind of performance was uncommon. He scored the fastest Test century in 56 balls vs England in 1986. Viv scored more than 8000 runs with an average of 50.26 and a strike rate of above 86, which is quite incredible. He scored more than 6000 runs in ODIs at a strike average of 90.2. He left cricket in 1991, but not before he had written his name in greatest legend (really excellent).
5.SUNIL GAVASKAR
Courage and audacity are two terms that sum up Sunil Gavaskar's aura perfectly. Consider beating those West Indian bowlers who are as big as trees without a headgear. Despite having a small frame and earning the title "Little Master," he revived batting in Test matches in the early 1970s. In 1971, the 22 year old played his first game against the West Indies. He scored his first century in the third Test of his first Test series. He became the second batsman to score two hundreds in the final Test of the same series. He scored 34 centuries, including 4 double hundreds, during the course of his 16 year career. His highest knock 236 against WI in 1983 was undefeated. Before his retirement in 1987, he encouraged whole young batsmen to play fearlessly in any situation.
- RICKY PONTING
Ricky Ponting is one of cricket's most ardent stars. Australia under his direction reached unprecedented heights. His distinctive personality characteristic of aggression permeated both his on field and batting actions. Between 2002 and 2007, which were his "dream years," he scored 41 hundreds across Tests and ODIs. He wasn't just a great batsman; he was also a devoted leader. Australia won two straight World Cups in 2003 and 2007 after Steve Waugh was replaced as captain by Ricky Ponting. He was the second highest centurion when he stopped in 2012, with 71 centuries and more than 13,000 runs across both formats. He helped Australia win the tournament, and they will always be grateful.
- JAVED MIANDAD
Javed Miandad, who was renowned for his unorthodox and forceful batting style. His control while batting was at a different level. Miandad's batting at position four, scored the fifth most runs in Test Cricket with 6925 runs in 140 games at an average of 54.10. In away Tests, that figure still exceeds 50 runs in 78 innings, or 3735 runs. This shows his capacity to perform under any circumstances and in opposition to the best bowling attacks. In 1988 at Georgetown against the fearsome attack of Ambrose, Walsh, Patterson, and Benjamin, he gave one of his best efforts in the format. His 114 runs innings allowed Pakistan to establish a first innings lead of 134 runs, leading to Pakistan's eventual 9 wicket victory in the Test.
- KUMAR SANGAKKARA
Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most graceful lefthanded cricket batsmen. Every shot he made, whether it was a sophisticated cover drive or a cheeky flick, was amazing. He scored 11 double hundreds in Tests, which is second most among all batsmen. In addition to his stick, he was the best wicketkeeper. His total of 482 dismissals remains the highest. He performed for nearly 15 years. He made history by becoming the first player to score four consecutive centuries in 2015 World Cup, which was his final appearance. He will forever be regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to ever play the sport.
- ADAM GILCHRIST
Adam Gilchrist is one of the most fearless and greatest batsmen of all time. The player who made wicket keeper batting an art form, scoring 5,570 Test runs and 9,619 ODI runs. Gilly transformed the atmosphere of Tests at number seven. He was the ideal batsman to have at the top of the order in ODIs and someone who added glamour to the wicket keeper batsman position. In only his second Test, Gilchrist made 149runs against Pakistan. In 2002 test he played then the fastest double century in Test cricket against South Africa. The second fastest century in Test cricket history was scored by him in Perth during the 2006 Ashes match against England in 57 balls. Gilchrist scored the highest individual score in final ever during the 2007World Cup, scoring 149 runs off 104 balls while hitting 13 fours and 8 enormous sixes.
- VIRAT KOHLI
The undisputed monarch and legend of cricket is Virat Kohli. His aggression and passion are evident in every situation. His game changing performance came against Sri Lanka in the 2012 Commonwealth Bank series, when he made 133 unbeaten in a 321 run chase that took 37 overs to complete, earning India bonus points for the series. He played in more England Tests in 2018 and scored 593 runs at an average of 59.30, including two hundreds. At the moment, he has 70 centuries across all forms and a stunning ODI average of 59.07. In all three forms, he is the only batsman with an average above 50. The numbers are in his favour. He will unquestionably be the best batsman to ever play cricket by the time he departs.
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