5 Better Batsmen than Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
Aug 26, 2020 at 12:19 PM
In recent years we have seen some exceptional batsmen grace the game of cricket and with their class, they have taken the game to a whole new level. With T20 gaining prominence, the game has been moving forward very fast, and even Test cricket for that matter is now played at a faster pace compared to what it was a decade ago.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen of the modern generation, and his record across all three formats of the game speaks volume of the Delhi lad who has already made a significant mark in international cricket. Kohli is already 2nd in the list of most century makers in ODI cricket just after Sachin Tendulkar, and with the form he is in, there is a massive chance that he will go on to break his record. Kohli is the only batsman to average over 50 across all three formats of the game, but then some players are as efficient as Kohli if not more in the longest format of the game.
5 Better Batsmen than Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
Steven Smith
Records suggest the Australian skipper is by far the best Test batsmen in world cricket. Despite having an unorthodox technique, Smith has already amassed 5511 Test runs in 57 outings at a staggering average of 61.23. Among the batsmen to have played more than 50 Tests, Smith is just behind Don Bradman for the highest average in Test cricket.
He has been a sensational performer in Australia over the past few years, and his records are just a sheer proof of his consistency in the longest format of the game. Very recently, former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting suggested with the form Smith is in; he has a great chance of going past his century tally of 41.
Kane Williamson
The New Zealand skipper has been a standout performer for his side over the past 2-3 years and has gone on to become the mainstay in the middle order. He can play according to the situation of the game and is undoubtedly the most consistent batsmen of New Zealand. He is very pleasing to watch and has an outstanding Test record to boast off as well.
In 61 matches, Williamson has scored 5116 runs at an impressive average of 51.16. The right-handed batsman is very comfortable against both pace and spin and can time his innings to perfection. He has struck 17 centuries in Tests so far to go with 25 half-centuries.
David Warner
Warner might not be a better Test player than Kohli, as stats suggest but the impact Warner has on his day is more prominent than what Kohli can do as far as Test cricket is concerned.
Despite not being a prolific-run scorer against spin, Warner can find ways to score runs. On his day he destroys any star-studded bowling attack and put them to the sword.
He is a batsman of the Virender Sehwag school of batsmanship and just like he changed the definition of opening batting in Tests, his predecessor Warner is just following his footsteps.
In 66 matches, the southpaw has scored 5705 runs at an average of 47.94 besides smashing 20 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
Joe Root
England’s Test skipper is also regarded as one of the modern-day greats of the game, and when it comes to Test cricket, Root is a class apart.
He is a batsman well moulded for every format, but if you ask Root, he would definitely want to bat for those long hours. Bursting on to the scene against India in 2012, Root has evolved as a player and has gone on to become one of the better batsmen of the modern generation.
Root has a pretty satisfying record in Tests. In 60 Tests, Root has amassed 5323 runs at an impressive average of 53.76. Among the modern greats, his century tally is the lowest with 13 hundred besides scoring 32 fifties.
Cheteshwar Pujara
He might not be the ideal modern-day batsmen, but you can’t deny the fact that Pujara is arguably the most important batsman in the Test team. He has the ability to play for long hours and pile on the runs. He might not score at a brisk pace but can find the gaps. He may not be an out and out power hitter but can manoeuvre the gaps to perfection.
He is the mainstay for India at No 3 and will play a big role for his side when they travel to South Africa early next year for a three-match Test series starting January 5th.
In 53 Tests, Pujara has scored 4302 runs at an average of 53.77. The Saurashtra lad has smashed 14 centuries and 16 fifties in his Test career so far.
*(Numbers are updated until November 28th, 2017)