Finding the list of greatest batsmen of all time is a difficult task and we here are determined to solve this mammoth mystery. Cricket is often regarded as a batsman dominated in every era, and over the years, the world has witnessed many magicians with the bat in its glorious history.
It was Sir Vi Richards in the 80s and 90s, then Sachin and Lara took over the charge until the 20s, and now new-generation batters like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have taken the game to the next level. Today, we will unwind history and tell you about the five greatest batsmen in cricket history.
5. Sir Viv Richards
Embed from Getty ImagesTo start the list, we place Sir Viv Richards in the fifth spot. The Caribbean icon not only dominated the game but also introduced a new dimension to it. In an era when batsmen used to bat with a strike rate of 50, Viv had a career strike rate of 86 in test matches.
He smashed more than 8500 runs in his Test career and over 6700 runs in his ODI career, leaving an impeccable impression on world cricket. Viv also was the architect behind the West Indies’ domination in the 1980s, when they sealed two back-to-back World Cups.
4. Brian Lara
Embed from Getty ImagesNow we move to another Caribbean maestro known for his elegance and flair. Brian Charles Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in test cricket and has played many iconic innings in his glorious career.
However, Lara was not blessed with a strong team, as he fought many battles alone for the West Indies. He finished his career with more than 11,000 runs in Test cricket and over 10,000 runs in ODIs. Lara didn’t win many accolades but his eye-soothing batting was a treat to watch for any cricket fan.
3. AB de Villiers
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen we hear AB de Villiers, the only word that comes to our mind is 360. AB undoubtedly modernized the game, and his unconventional shots revolutionized it. Not only his stroke ability but his overall game was the epitome of batting.
He was part of South Africa’s golden generation and dominated the game in very conditions. However, AB retired early from international cricket but already had a significant impact. He can be labelled as the founder of unconventional shots and, indeed, is one of the greatest batsmen ever.
2. Virat Kohli
Embed from Getty ImagesNo list is complete without the name King Kohli, and he will definitely go down as one of the greatest of all time when he retires. There are players who are blessed with natural talent and are always labelled as the next big thing, but that wasn’t the case for Virat Kohli.
He was always labelled as a good prospect, but through his extremely hard work, he defied expectations and reached new limits. No one comes close to his stats, and at only 33, he has 12,000 plus runs in ODI cricket and 8,000 plus runs under his name.
- Sachin Tendulkar
Whenever there is a discussion related to cricket, one name that will always be mentioned is Sachin Tendulkar. Hailed as the “God of Cricket,” Sachin achieved everything on the cricket field. He has 100 centuries to his name and many more unrealistic records. So far, no batsman has come close to his achievements, and Sachin Tendulkar will always be remembered as the greatest of all time for his contribution to this game.
