If we were to rate the bowlers, who would be the world’s best? There are several contenders, including Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, Herschelle Gibbs and many others. Virat Kohli, however, is the current leader, with James Anderson and Ricky Ponting also among the world’s best.
Steve Smith
Australia’s Steve Smith is the world’s best batsman. Few would have predicted he would perform at such a high level. But the Australian skipper has been one of the standout performers in the past 70 years. With an IQ and technique which is far above average, he has become the best batsman in Test cricket.
In the 2013 Ashes series, Steve Smith played all 10 matches for Australia. He scored a half-century in the first game, scored an unbeaten fifty in the second, and scored a century in the final test at the Kia Oval. Unfortunately, Australia lost the series 3-0. Smith’s innings averaged 38.
After the Ashes series against England, Smith had his first ODI century. He also played ODI cricket against India and scored a century against them in the first innings. In the second match, he was named man of the match. He went on to make four successive Test centuries and was named man of the series.
After South Africa, Australia played Pakistan. After a fairly average series, Smith needed to make an impact. He scored 130&63 in the first game and then 165* in the second game, leading Australia to a respectable total of 284. In all, he scored 441 runs at an average of 88. He was named Player of the Series, but had been on the verge of losing the number one spot before the Pakistan series.
In the Ashes, Steve Smith is the clear leader in the ICC Test batting rankings. His double-century at the WACA helped him jump up to 945 points, which equals Len Hutton’s 945 score. Only Don Bradman has a better score than 961 (which he achieved after a 138-run ODI innings in England).
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and Delhi in the domestic circuit. He is a right-handed batsman who was born on 5 November 1988. Kohli is a highly ambitious cricketer who combines the technical assiduity of Sachin Tendulkar with the fitness of a top athlete. Kohli is also one of the most consistent all-round accumulators of his generation.
The Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli, is arguably the world’s best batsman. He has been a dominant presence in international cricket since his debut in 2006. His unbeaten ton against Australia in the fourth test match against England in 2013 confirmed his status as the world’s best batsman.
Virat Kohli’s record as a batsman has been a remarkable story of progression and emergence. As a captain, Kohli has been a leading force in India’s cricket since the under-19 world cup. As a youngster, he showed tremendous potential, as he was a precocious talent. He was destined to be India’s next big batsman after Sachin Tendulkar retired. He always aimed to leave his opponents in awe and he always tried to make every ball count. His determination and fitness levels were such that he changed the fitness culture in Indian cricket, introducing endurance tests as a selection criterion.
Virat Kohli has been named the world’s best batsman in both TEST and ODI cricket. He has been the most prolific batsman in international cricket, but he has faced stiff competition in various formats. The Indian captain has a unique ability to adapt well to different situations and is one of the most versatile players in the world.
Ricky Ponting
When Ricky Ponting first entered the international game, he gained an instant reputation for his big runs. However, he struggled with disciplinary issues during his domestic career and struggled to maintain his top form in international cricket. However, he recovered and went on to become one of the world’s best batsmen.
Ponting is one of the most talented Australian batsmen of all time. He scored 41 centuries in international cricket, most of them centuries. He was an aggressive batsman and dominated bowlers. In addition, he led Australia to limited-overs and Test series glory. Unfortunately, he lost three Ashes series, but was still a crucial part of their winning formula.
Apart from playing for Australia’s national team, Ponting also played for Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League. He was a specialist right-handed batsman who also had excellent fielding skills. He was also an occasional bowler. He was part of Australia’s winning teams during the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cups. He was also a part of the team that won the World Cup in 1999 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009.
During the 2006-2007 Ashes series against South Africa, Ponting was in fine form and was batting like a champion. He hit an unbeaten 118 in the second innings and guided Australia to a three-wicket win. In the subsequent Second Test, Ponting scored a half-century for Australia.
During his career, Ponting made 108 test appearances for Australia. He was part of the winning team a few times, and his 100 in the Ashes series broke the hearts of many English fans. However, he played the best innings of his career in the series and rallied his team mates.
Herschelle Gibbs
In his short career, Gibbs has scored over 8000 runs for Australia. In the 1999 World Cup, Gibbs played a crucial knock for Deccan Chargers, but he was banned for six months because of match-fixing charges. Gibbs was also accused of dropping a catch during a match against Australia, allowing Steve Waugh to score a century and win the match. Gibbs, a former cricketer, played his final match for Australia on 10 May 2010.
Gibbs had to retire from international cricket after a lean period. A poor series against West Indies and England forced Gibbs to play down the order. But after coming back into the side in 2007, Gibbs found form in the middle order. Prior to that, he had not scored a century in two years. In his last ten innings, Gibbs came close to a century four times.
Gibbs’s ability to turn games in his favour was also evident during his 175-run knock in the 2006 World Cup against Australia. That knock was an atonement for his bungled knock in the 1999 World Cup. The innings also showed his transition from run-a-ball innings to explosive innings.
While Gibbs has a lot of positive accolades, Gibbs has also been linked to many scandals, including drunk driving and marijuana use. He has also been accused of match-fixing. Gibbs may not be a purist, but it is hard to imagine a more unconventional and controversial player.
Gibbs’ career highlights include two double centuries in Test cricket, a score of 211 against New Zealand and another unbeaten century against Pakistan. Gibbs is only the third player to score three consecutive hundreds in ODI cricket. In addition, Gibbs and Graeme Smith have shared a national record partnership of 368 in one Test. The pair have also put on two opening stands of 300 runs on three occasions.
Sachin Tendulkar
When it comes to batting, Sachin Tendulkar is unmatched. He was the most complete cricketer of his generation, and his uncanny ability to create runs is unsurpassed. His batting style was based on the most fundamental principles – balance, anticipation, economy of movement, and accuracy. While he did not have a signature stroke, his versatility made him the best all-round player ever.
Tendulkar has won countless awards and accolades for his career, and was also elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha (India’s upper house of parliament). As an active member of the parliament, Tendulkar became the first sportsman to be elected to the upper house. In addition, he was inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame in 2019.
As an international cricketer, Tendulkar has played in over 200 Tests and 463 ODIs. He also played one T20I and scored 100 international centuries. In 2013 he retired from international cricket. His six-year stint with the Mumbai Indians ended after he retired from international cricket.
Tendulkar made his international debut against Pakistan in 1989 and quickly rose to the top of the ranks. He became the first Indian to score a century in a test match against England. He went on to win the Man of the Tournament award in 2003 and is regarded as an inspiration to young cricketers. He broke the record of highest number of test centuries, as well as the record for highest total runs in an innings.
Although Tendulkar has many critics, he is still the world’s best batsman. His average score is a bit higher than Lara’s, but the latter is the better batsman in terms of consistency. Tendulkar’s confidence in his abilities is not nearly as high as Lara’s. Lara is more versatile and adaptable.
