Greatest Cricket Batsmen of All Time

Cricket is a batsman’s game. These are the best match-winners/savers with the bat in cricket history.

Cricket is a batsman’s game. Some batsmen paint beautiful pictures with their strokes and score runs. Some make runs with patience and grit. Some destroy bowling attacks with an onslaught.

At the end of the match, what counts is how many runs are scored, no matter how they come.

Players can win matches with their batting. They also can save matches.

These are the best match-winners/savers with the bat in cricket history.

Note: To qualify, batsmen must have a minimum of 5,000 runs in international cricket. For players who played before the introduction of One Day International (ODI) matches on Jan. 5, 1971, only Tests are considered.

50. Yuvraj Singh

India’s Yuvraj Singh plays a shot against West Indies during the first ODI cricket match at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 2017. Ricardo Mazalan / AP Photo

Experience: 2000-present

Country: India

Other major teams: Punjab, Kings XI Punjab

Career stats in Tests: 40 matches, 1,900 runs, 33.92 average, 169 highest score, 3 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 304 matches, 8,701 runs, 36.55 average, 87.67 strike rate, 150 highest score, 14 100s

Bottom Line for Yuvraj Singh

Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh plays a shot against the West Indies during a cricket Test match in New Delhi, India, in 2011. Saurabh Das / AP Photo

Yuvraj Singh was an X factor for India in his heyday. He started his career by scoring an 80-ball 84 against the mighty Australians. Although he has had his ups and downs in his career, he did well for India in its victorious campaigns in the 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup.

In the 2007 World T20, Yuvi hit six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad and helped himself to a 12-ball fifty, the fastest fifty in T20Is. He played another gem of a knock against Australia by scoring 70 off just 30 balls, including five sixes.

In the 2011 World Cup, he battled cancer and became the player of the tournament for his all-round display. He made 362 runs at an average of 90.50 and picked up 15 wickets at an average of 25.13.

49. Geoffrey Boycott

Geoffrey Boycott, England’s opening batsman, in action against Australia at the Oval cricket ground in London in 1981. Peter Kemp / AP Photo

Experience: 1964-82

Country: England

Other major teams: Yorkshire

Career stats in Tests: 108 matches, 8,114 runs, 47.72 average, 246 highest score, 22 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 36 matches, 1,082 runs, 36.06 average, 53.66 strike rate, 105 highest score, 1 100s

Bottom Line for Geoffrey Boycott

Geoffrey Boycott was one of England’s most successful opening batsmen. @pixlclub / Twitter

Geoffrey Boycott was one of the most successful openers in his era. He still is the sixth-highest run-getter of all time as an opener with 8,091 runs at an average of 48.16.

Most batsmen would be well past his prime after they turn 35. Boycott, on the other hand, piled on runs, making 3,535 runs at an average of 47.77.

His average, 58.76, is the best average in the fourth innings of a Test match for players who have scored at least 1,000 runs in the last innings of a Test.

48. Kevin Pietersen

England’s Kevin Pietersen plays a hook shot against Australia during their Ashes cricket Test match in Perth, Australia, in 2013. Theron Kirkman / AP Photo

Experience: 2004-13

Country: England

Other major teams: Surrey, Hampshire

Career stats in Tests: 104 matches, 8,181 runs, 47.28 average, 61.72 strike rate, 227 highest score, 23 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 136 Matches, 4,440 runs, 40.73 average, 86.58 strike rate, 130 highest score, 9 100s

Bottom Line for Kevin Pietersen

England’s Kevin Pietersen plays a shot against Australia during an Ashes cricket Test match in 2013. Tertius Pickard / AP Photo

Kevin Pietersen had an excellent start to his Test and ODI career. He started his Test career in the 2005 Ashes and was the highest run-getter in the series, producing 473 runs at a 52.55 average against the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie.

In ODIs, Pieterson debuted in a series against Zimbabwe and scored 104 runs at 104.00. He showed he had the skills and mettle to take the best in the world in the subsequent series against South Africa, where he scored 454 runs at an average of 151.33 and a strike rate of 105.58.

The English middle-order batsman is arguably the greatest England batsman of the modern era. He won 10 Man of the Match awards during his Test career, which is third only to Kumar Sangakkara (12) and Rangana Herath (11) during the period.

The swashbuckling batsman was the player of the tournament in the 2010 World T20, which England won. He scored 248 runs at an average of 62.00 and a strike rate of 137.77.

47. Tillakaratne Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan acknowledges the crowd in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after playing the final cricket match of his career in 2016. Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo

Experience: 1999-2016

Country: Sri Lanka

Other major teams: Singha Sports Club,Surrey, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Career stats in Tests: 87 matches, 5,492 runs, 40.98 average, 65.54 strike Rate, 193 highest score, 16 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 330 matches, 10,290 runs, 39.27 average, 86.23 strike rate, 161 highest score, 22 100s

Not many batsmen could do what Tillakaratne Dilshan did. He has a shot named after himself, “Dilscoop” — a shot he used in the 2009 World T20 to earn the player of the tournament.

In the early years of his career, he batted in the middle order and had only moderate success. However, he became a different player once he started opening. The Sri Lankan scored 7,361 runs at an average of 46.04, including 21 hundreds as an opener in ODIs.

The destructive batsman scored 500 runs, most runs in the tournament, at an average of 62.50 and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.

Bottom Line for Tillakaratne Dilshan

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a shot against Australia in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, in 2016. Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo

Not many batsmen could do what Tillakaratne Dilshan did. He has a shot named after himself, “Dilscoop” — a shot he used in the 2009 World T20 to earn the player of the tournament.

The destructive batsman scored 500 runs, most runs in the tournament, at an average of 62.50 and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.

46. MS Dhoni

India’s MS Dhoni bats during a cricket match against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2019. David Rowland / AP Photo

Experience: 2004-present

Country: India

Other major teams: Chennai Super Kings, Jharkhand

Career stats in Tests: 90 matches, 4,876 runs, 38.09 average, 59.11 strike rate, 224 highest score, 6 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 341 matches, 10,500 runs, 50.72 average, 87.55 strike rate, 183 highest score, 10 100s

Bottom Line for MS Dhoni

India’s MS Dhoni returns a shot against Australia during a Cricket World Cup match in 2019. Frank Augstein / AP Photo

MS Dhoni is arguably the best ODI finisher of all time. “Dhoni finishes off in style” has become a cliché among commentators as the former Indian captain has finished the game countless times.

His match-winning 91 off 79 balls in the 2011 World Cup final will be remembered forever. The powerful right-hander helped India clinch the World Cup after 28 years by smashing Nuwan Kulasekara for a six.

Though Dhoni couldn’t replicate the high standards he set in ODIs to Tests, he is the third-highest run-getter as a wicket-keeper batsman behind Adam Gilchrist (5,570) and Mark Boucher (5,515).

45. VVS Laxman

India’s VVS Laxman plays a shot against Australia during their cricket Test match at the WACA in Perth, Australia, in 2012. Theron Kirkman / AP Photo

Experience: 1996-2012

Country: India

Other major teams: Hyderabad, Lancashire

Career stats in Tests: 134 matches, 8,781 runs, 45.97 average, 49.37 strike rate, 281 highest score, 17 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 86 matches, 2,338 runs, 30.76 average, 71.23 strike rate, 131 highest score, 6 100s

VVS Laxman was a true artist with his stroke play, and it was a joy to see him bat. He had the rare ability to hit the same ball to either side of the wicket.

Laxman will be remembered for his magical 281 against Australia in 2001. He, along with Dravid, stitched a 376-run partnership. The match-winning knock turned out to be one for the ages. When Cricket Monthly chose top 50 Test performances from the last 50 years in 2016, Laxman’s epic knock was ranked first.

Batting with tail-enders is a special skill to have, and the Hyderabad-born player was a master. He won many games batting with the tail.

Australia was a top side during his playing career, and he scored heavily against them — 2,434 runs at 49.67, six 100s, 12 50s.

Bottom Line for VVS Laxman

India’s VVS Laxman bats against Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India, in 2005. Saurabh Das / AP Photo

VVS Laxman was a true artist with his stroke play, and it was a joy to see him bat. He had the rare ability to hit the same ball to either side of the wicket.

Batting with tail-enders is a special skill to have, and the Hyderabad-born player was a master. He won many games batting with the tail.

Australia was a top side during his playing career, and he scored heavily against them — 2,434 runs at 49.67, six 100s, 12 50s.

44. Mark Waugh

Australian batsman Mark Waugh, right, avoids being stumped by South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, left, during a cricket match at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2002. Jon Hrusa / AP Photo

Experience: 1988-2002

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Essex, New South Wales

Career stats in Tests: 128 matches, 8,029 runs, 41.81 average, 52.27 strike rate, 153 highest score, 20 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 244 matches, 8,500 runs, 39.35 average, 76.90 strike rate, 173 highest score, 18 100s

Bottom Line for Mark Waugh

Australian captain Steve Waugh plays his last shot in a Test cricket match against India in 2004. Mark Baker / AP Photo

Mark Waugh was not as decorated as his older twin brother, Steve Waugh. However, Mark debuted in Tests in the fourth Test of the 1990-91 series against England in place of his brother. Soon, Steve was back on the team, and the brothers dictated terms against opponents, scoring 3,435 runs at an average of 49.07.

Steve relied on his grit while Mark was an effortless stroke-maker. His cuts, drives and pulls were pleasing to the eyes.

The younger Waugh had an excellent record in World Cups, scoring 1,004 runs at an average of 52.83, with 4 hundreds. In the 1996 World Cup, he made 484 runs at a stellar average of 80.66, including a match-winning century against New Zealand in the quarterfinal.

43. Ross Taylor

New Zealand’s Ross Taylor bats during a cricket match against India at Seddon Park in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2019. David Rowland / AP Photo

Experience: 2006-present

Country: New Zealand

Other major teams: Sussex, Victoria

Career stats in Tests: 92 matches, 6,727 runs, 46.71 average, 60.22 strike rate, 290 highest score, 18 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 218 matches, 8,026 runs, 48.34 average, 83.37 strike rate, 181 highest score, 20 100s

Bottom Line for Ross Taylor

New Zealand’s Ross Taylor bats against India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2020. Mark Baker / AP Photo

Ross Taylor has incredible numbers in both ODIs and Tests. However, his name never is discussed when you talk about best batsmen in the current era. Yes, he is the unsung hero of the current generation.

He has more hundreds than any New Zealander in ODIs (20), and he is second on the list of hundreds in Tests for a Kiwi batsman with 18.

He has made the No.4 position his own in both formats. In ODIs, he is the highest run-getter at No.4, with 7,109 runs at 52.66. And in Tests, he is the eighth-highest run-getter at that position, with 6,166 runs at 49.73.

42. Clive Lloyd

West Indies manager Clive Lloyd watches his team’s players during a practice session at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St. John’s, Antigua, in 2007. Andres Leighton / AP Photo

Experience: 1966-85

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Guyana, Lancashire

Career stats in Tests: 110 matches, 7,515 runs, 46.67 average, 242 highest score, 19 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 87 matches, 1,977 runs, 39.54 average, 81.22 strike rate, 102 highest score, 1 100s

Bottom Line for Clive Lloyd

Clive Lloyd led the West Indies to a win in the 1975 Cricket World Cup. anointedproductions / YouTube

Clive Lloyd is the greatest captain that cricket has ever seen, and captaincy never affected his batting. Captaining West Indies in the inaugural edition of the World Cup in 1975, Lloyd scored a scintillating 85-ball 102 against Australia in the final and guided his team to victory.

The West Indies icon had a strike-rate of 81.22, when top run-getters in that era scored at a rate of 50s and 60s.

Lloyd had a fantastic Test record, too. He batted well in all positions from 4-8, averaging 44.19, 46.20, 49.16, 47.27 and 74.00, respectively. He scored all these runs with eyes that were damaged when he was 12 years old.

41. Steve Smith

Australia’s Steve Smith plays a shot against South Africa in 2018. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Experience: 2010-present

Country: Australia

Other major teams: New South Wales, Rajasthan Royals

Career stats in Tests: 64 matches, 6,199 runs, 61.37 average, 55.49 strike rate, 239 highest score, 23 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 108 matches, 3,431 runs, 41.84 average, 86.35 strike rate, 164 highest score, 8 100s

Bottom Line for Steve Smith

Australia batsman Steven Smith plays a shot against South Africa in 2020. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Steve Smith started his career as a leg spinner and was touted as the next Shane Warne. Along the way, Smith’s bowling took a back seat, and he has become the best Test player of the current era. His average, 61.37, is second-best among players who have scored 2000-plus runs, only behind Don Bradman.

Smith was in stunning form from 2014 to 2017. During the period, he scored 1,000 runs in every year, and his averages read 81.86, 73.7, 71.93 and 70.44. In 2017, he reached 945 ICC rankings rating points, which are the second-highest of all time, only behind Bradman (961).

Although Smith is not an ODI giant yet, his contribution to Australia’s World Cup win in 2015 was nothing short of exceptional. He made 402 runs at an average of 67.00 and a strike rate of 91.57 in the tournament.

40. Chris Gayle

West Indies’ Chris Gayle plays a shot against England during a cricket match at the National Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, in 2019. Ricardo Mazalan / AP Photo

Experience: 1999-present

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Jamaica, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Career stats in Tests: 103 matches, 7,214 runs, 42.18 average, 60.26 strike rate, 333 highest score, 15 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 289 matches, 10,151 runs, 38.16 average, 87.14 strike rate, 215 highest score, 25 100s

Bottom Line for Chris Gayle

West Indies’ Chris Gayle celebrates a win over Afghanistan in a 2019 Cricket World Cup match. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Chris Gayle is one of the most productive players of all time. He can tear apart any opposition on his day.

His ability to hit sixes is unmatched and he holds the record of the most number of sixes (507) in international cricket.

The Windies’ opener is the only player in the world who has scored triple hundred in Tests, double hundred in ODIs, and hundred in T20Is. He is the first player to hit hundreds in all three formats of the game.

The “Universe Boss” also holds the record of the fastest 200 in ODIs.

39. Andy Flower

Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower tries to make a reverse sweep shot as Indian wicket-keeper Rahul Dravid looks on during their Champions Trophy cricket match at Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2002. Aman Sharma / AP Photo

Experience: 1992-2003

Country: Zimbabwe

Other major teams: Essex, MCC

Career stats in Tests: 63 matches, 4,794 runs, 51.54 average, 45.07 strike rate, 232 highest score, 12 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 213 matches, 6,786 runs, 35.34 average, 74.59 strike rate, 145 highest score, 4 100s

Bottom Line for Andy Flower

Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower hits a square cut to the fence against India in 2000. Sherwin Crasto / AP Photo

Andy Flower is the greatest player to play for Zimbabwe and one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen of all time. His ability to play spin bowling was commendable, and his reverse-sweeps were incredible.

The southpaw scored 540 runs in a two-match series at a stunning average of 270 against India in November 2000. He also made twin hundreds (142 and 199) in Zimbabwe’s historic Test win against South Africa in September 2001, and it helped Flower become the No.1 Test batsman in the world.

He was equally effective in ODIs and was the third player to score a hundred in his debut. He scored 332 runs at an average of 47.42 in the 2003 World Cup. However, he decided to call it quits due to a protest against the Zimbabwe government after the tournament.

38. Martin Crowe

New Zealand captain Martin Crowe bats during a cricket match at Eden Park, in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1992. New Zealand Herald via AP

Experience: 1982-95

Country: New Zealand

Other major teams: Auckland, Somerset

Career stats in Tests: 77 matches, 5,444 runs, 45.36 average, 44.65 strike rate, 299 highest score, 17 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 143 matches, 4,704 runs, 38.55 average, 72.63 strike rate, 107 highest score, 4 100s

Bottom Line for Martin Crowe

Martin Crowe was a fan favorite at the 1992 Cricket World Cup. @RandomCricketP1 / Twitter

Martin Crowe is arguably the greatest batsmen from New Zealand. When he bid adieu to cricket, he held the record of most runs (5,444), most fifties (35), most hundreds (17) and highest Test score (299) by a New Zealander.

He rose to stardom quickly and became the Wisden cricketer of the year in 1985, only three years into his career. He was the top scorer in the 1992 World Cup by scoring 456 runs at a spectacular average of 114.50.

He struck at a great pace as well, 90.83, where all others in the top five run-getters scored at a rate of 60.

37. Desmond Haynes

West Indian cricketer Desmond Haynes hits the ball as British wicket-keeper Alec Stewart looks on during a friendly cricket match at New York’s Downing Stadium in 1990. Philip Schoultz / AP Photo

Experience: 1978-94

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Barbados, Middlesex

Career stats in Tests: 116 matches, 7,487 runs, 42.29 average, 48.34 strike rate, 184 highest score, 18 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 238 matches, 8,648 runs, 41.37 average, 63.09 strike rate, 152 highest score, 17 100s

Bottom Line for Desmond Haynes

Desmond Haynes, left, walks out to the field with Gordon Greenidge. @danredford70 / Twitter

Desmond Haynes is perhaps one of the unsung heroes of vintage West Indies team, which dominated world cricket. When he retired, he held the record of most runs, most centuries and most matches in ODIs.

In Tests, he and Gordon Greenidge scored more runs than any other opening pair, 6,482 runs at an average of 47.31, including 16 hundred partnerships. The pair were successful in ODIs, too, scoring 5,150 runs at an average of 52.55 — the third-best in terms of runs scored by an opening pair.

He had a stunning record on home soil in both Tests and ODIs. In ODIs, he has the highest average among players who have scored 2,000-plus runs, 67.71. In Tests, he scored 3,868 runs at an average of 56.05 — the fifth-best average among West Indian players who have scored 2,000-plus runs.

36. Hashim Amla

South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla, right, watches his shot as Pakistan’s wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan looks on during their cricket match in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2019. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Experience: 2004-present

Country: South Africa

Other major teams: Cape Cobras, Essex

Career stats in Tests: 124 matches, 9,282 runs, 46.64 average, 49.97 strike rate, 311 highest score, 28 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 174 matches, 7,910 runs, 49.74 average, 89.22 strike rate, 159 highest score, 27 100s

Bottom Line for Hashim Amla

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla plays a shot during a Cricket World Cup match against Sri Lanka in 2019. Scott Heppell / AP Photo

Hashim Amla is one of the rare players who has excelled in both Tests and ODIs. His numbers are as good as anyone in world cricket.

Amla became the first and only South African player to score a triple century in 2012 against England on their home turf. Once set, it is difficult to dismiss him. He scored 490 runs in a series against India in 2010 at a stellar average of 490 in a 2-Test series.

The elegant right-hander was believed to be a Test-match specialist initially. However, Amla proved everyone wrong and became the fastest player to score 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 runs in ODIs.

35. Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey plays a shot during a cricket match in Sydney, Australia, in 2013. Rob Griffith / AP Photo

Experience: 2005-13

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Western Australia, Chennai Super Kings

Career stats in Tests: 79 matches, 6,235 runs, 51.52 average, 50.13 strike rate, 195 highest score, 19 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 185 matches, 5,442 runs, 48.15 average, 87.16 strike rate, 109 highest score, 3 100s

Bottom Line for Michael Hussey

Australia’s Mike Hussey celebrates after making 100 runs against Sri Lanka during a Test match in 2012. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo

Michael Hussey got his chance to represent Australia after 10 years of hard work in domestic cricket, and when the chance came in his way, he grabbed it with both hands. After two years of his Test career, his average was an unbelievable 80.58, and his average never dropped below 100 until his 29th innings in ODIs.

In ODIs, he had an excellent record in batting positions from 3 to 7, averaging 40-plus in all the positions, and at No.7 where most batsmen’s average drops considerably, “Mr.Cricket” averaged 120.83 at a strike rate of 101.12.

In the 2010 World T20 semifinal, Australia needed 17 from the last five balls of the match, and the southpaw was on point against Saeed Ajmal, who conceded only 24 runs from his 3.1 overs. The rest is history — 6, 6, 4, 6, and Australia won the match with one ball left, thanks to Hussey (60 off 24), the freak.

34. Mohammad Azharuddin

India captain Mohammad Azharuddin defends his wicket against Nottinghamshire during a World Cup warm-up match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England, in 1999. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Experience: 1985-2000

Country: India

Other major teams: Hyderabad, Derbyshire

Career stats in Tests: 99 matches, 6,215 runs, 45.03 average, 63.08 strike rate, 199 highest score, 22 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 334 matches, 9,378 runs, 36.92 average, 74.02 strike rate, 153 highest score, 7 100s

Bottom Line for Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin was an elegant middle-order batsman. Did you know ? By, Ronak Kothari / Facebook

Mohammad Azharuddin is the only player to score hundreds in each of his first three Tests, and he finished his Test career with a hundred as well. He was known for his artistry with wrists and leg-side play.

Azhar was the first player to play 300 matches and first to reach 9,000 runs in ODIs. He was named one of the Wisden’s cricketers of 1991 courtesy his incredible run in 1990.

He could tear apart any bowling attack on his day. He held the record for fastest hundred in ODIs by an Indian in 62 balls. In Tests, his 74-ball hundred against South Africa in 1996 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is still the fastest hundred by an Indian.

33. Michael Clarke

Australia’s Michael Clarke, right, plays a shot for six runs off Veerasammy Permaul during a cricket Test match against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2015. Arnulfo Franco / AP Photo

Experience: 2004-15

Country: Australia

Other major teams: New South Wales, Hampshire

Career stats in Tests: 115 matches, 8,643 runs, 49.10 average, 55.92 strike rate, 329 highest score, 28 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 245 matches, 7,981 runs, 44.58 average, 78.98 strike rate, 130 highest score, 8 100s

Bottom Line for Michael Clarke

Australia’s Michael Clarke bats against England in 2015. Jon Super / AP Photo

Michael Clarke had a perfect end to his ODI career, scoring a match-winning 72 (74) in the 2015 World Cup final, which Australia won. However, his Test career ended on a sour note, scoring only 15 runs.

Clarke hit his peak in 2012 and scored 1595 runs at an average of 106.33, including two triple hundreds and two double hundreds. The right-hander excelled at the No.5 position and made 5,959 runs at an average of 60.80, the second-best average of players who played at least 50 innings at No. 5, only behind AB de Villiers (62.11).

The former Australian captain scored consistently in Tests around the world, and only in the West Indies, he averaged less than 40, 39.54.

32. Graeme Smith

South Africa captain Graeme Smith comes onto the field for the last time after announcing his retirement in 2014. AP Photo

Experience: 2002-14

Country: South Africa

Other major teams: Cape Cobras, Somerset

Career stats in Tests: 117 matches, 9,265 runs, 48.25 average, 59.67 strike rate, 277 highest score, 27 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 197 matches, 6,989 runs, 37.98 average, 80.81 strike rate, 141 highest score, 10 100s

Bottom Line for Graeme Smith

South Africa’s Graeme Smith bats against New Zealand in 2012. Ross Setford / AP Photo/SNPA

Graeme Smith started captaining South Africa at the age of 22 and scored 8,659 runs as captain, a world record, 2,036 more than the second-best, Allan Border (6623).

The left-hander was a fourth-innings superstar. He is the second-highest run-getter (1,611 at 51.96) in the fourth innings behind Tendulkar (1,625 at 36.93). Also, Smith holds the record of most runs in fourth-innings wins, 1,141 at an excellent average of 87.76.

Smith had a great record in Tests in England, where most batsmen struggle, scoring 1,355 runs at an average of 67.75.

31. Greg Chappell

India coach Greg Chappell, right, and captain Rahul Dravid during a practice session before their World Cup warm-up match against the Netherlands in St. Ann, Jamaica, in 2007. Aman Sharma / AP Photo

Experience: 1970-84

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Queensland, South Australia

Career stats in Tests: 87 matches, 7,110 runs, 53.86 average, 54.36 strike rate, 247 highest score, 24 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 74 matches, 2,331 runs, 40.18 average, 75.70 strike rate, 138 highest score, 3 100s

Bottom Line for Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell was an Australian cricket legend. @CricketT20IPL / Twitter

Greg Chappell scored a century in his first (108) and last Test (182) innings. Also, he was the first Australian to score 7,000 runs, overtaking Don Bradman (6,996).

Chappell scored at an average of 45.94 against England, and it’s his lowest average against any opponent, which speaks volumes about his consistency. During his career, only Javed Miandad had a better average (56.39), compared to Chappell’s 53.86.

The Australian had a terrific record at No.4, scoring 4,316 runs at an average of 59.12, the third-best of all time in terms of averages. Captaincy brought out the best in him, and his average as captain, 55.38 is only behind Brian Lara (57.83).

30. Allan Border

Australian captain Allan Border raises the World Cup trophy after Australia beat England in the final match in 1987 in Calcutta, India. Liu Heung Shing / AP Photo

Experience: 1978-94

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Essex, New South Wales

Career stats in Tests: 156 matches, 11,174 runs, 50.56 average, 41.38 strike rate, 205 highest score, 27 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 273 matches, 6,524 runs, 30.62 average, 71.42 strike rate, 127 highest score, 3 100s

Bottom Line for Allan Border

Australian cricket captain Allan Border is watched by a group of young boys during a practice in 1986. Stevens / AP Photo

When Allan Border retired, he had played the most number of Tests (156), amassed the most number of runs (11,174) and played in the most consecutive Tests (153). He was a superstar on the Australian team and set a solid foundation, which helped the Aussies become the world’s best team later.

The Allan Border Medal is the most prestigious individual prize in Australian men’s cricket, awarded to the best Australian player yearly, and shows Border’s contribution to Australian cricket.

Border scored 5,168 runs at an average of 60.09 between 1983 and 1989, the most by any player during the period. Unlike most batsmen, the left-hander averaged more in away Tests (56.67) than home (45.94).

The former Australian skipper scored heavily in the Ashes and is the third-highest run-getter (3,548) behind Don Bradman(5,028) and Jack Hobbs (3,636)

29. Mohammad Yousuf

Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf, right, follows the ball after playing a shot against England during a cricket match at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan in 2005. K. M. Chaudhry / AP Photo

Experience: 1999-2016

Country: Pakistan

Other major teams: Lahore, Lancashire

Career stats in Tests: 90 matches, 7,530 runs, 52.29 average, 52.39 strike rate, 223 highest score, 24 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 288 matches, 9,720 runs, 41.71 average, 75.10 strike rate, 141 highest score, 15 100s

Bottom Line for Mohammad Yousuf

Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf hits a shot against England in 2010. Matt Dunham / AP Photo

Mohammad Yousuf was the epitome of class and elegance in batting. He was the linchpin of the Pakistan middle order in the 2000s along with Inzamam Ul Haq. Yousuf is the second-highest run-getter for Pakistan in ODIs and fourth-highest run-getter in Tests.

Yousuf set the world record of most runs in a calendar year in 2006 in Tests as he scored 1,788 runs in 11 matches at an average of 99.33, including nine hundreds. He scored six centuries in five consecutive Tests during the year, which is a still a world record.

28. Len Hutton

England cricket captain Len Hutton gives a victory sign after England won the fourth Test against Australia at Adelaide, Australia, in 1955. AP Photo / AP Photo

Experience: 1937-55

Country: England

Other major teams: Yorkshire

Career stats in Tests: 79 matches, 6,971 runs, 56.67 average, 364 highest score, 19 100s

Bottom Line for Len Hutton

Len Hutton runs from the field after England’s historic win over Australia in 1938. @PictureSporting / Twitter

Len Hutton has the best Test average, 56.47, among openers who have scored 5,000-plus runs. He formed a successful opening pair with Cyril Washbrook, and the duo added 2,880 runs at an average of 60.00, the fifth-best of all time.

He played a marathon innings, 364 in 847 balls against Australia at the Oval in 1938, which is still the longest in terms of balls faced. England won the match by an innings and 579 runs in a one-sided affair.

Hutton’s Test average, 56.67 is seventh-highest of all time. Before the Second World War, Hutton scored 1,345 runs in 13 Tests at a phenomenal average of 67.25. After the war, he made 5,626 runs at a healthy average of 54.62.

27. Alastair Cook

England’s Alastair Cook, right, bats as India’s Mohammad Kaif watches, on the first day of the first cricket Test match in Nagpur, India, in 2006. Aman Sharma / AP Photo

Experience: 2006-18

Country: England

Other major teams: Essex, MCC

Career stats in Tests: 161 matches, 12,472 runs, 45.35 average, 46.95 strike rate, 294 highest score, 33 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 92 matches, 3,204 runs, 36.40 average, 77.13 strike rate, 137 highest score, 5 100s

Bottom Line for Alastair Cook

England’s Alastair Cook in his last batting innings before retiring from Test cricket in 2018. Matt Dunham / AP Photo

Alastair Cook was not an elegant batsman but was really effective. He scored more runs (11,845) than any other opener in Tests, 2,238 runs more than the second-best Sunil Gavaskar.

Cook started his Test career on a bright note by scoring a hundred (104) and hung up his gloves with a century (147) as well. He suffered many ups and downs in his career yet holds the record of playing the most Tests on the trot, 159.

His ability to play longer periods was remarkable, and his concentration levels were top-notch. His five double hundreds underline the same. He turned to beast mode in the 2010-11 Ashes and made 766 runs, which helped England win in Australia after 24 years.

26. Ken Barrington

Ken Barrington in 1966. Playfair Cricket Monthly

Experience: 1955-68

Country: England

Other major teams: Surrey

Career stats in Tests: 82 matches, 6,806 runs, 58.67 average, 256 highest score, 20 100s

Bottom Line for Ken Barrington

Ken Barrington in 1955. @danredford70 / Twitter

Ken Barrington curbed his natural attacking style and removed some shots to play risk-free cricket after being dropped from the Test team. The revamped style did wonders for him, and he never looked back.

He holds the record of third-best average, 58.67 in Tests (minimum 5,000 runs). Normally, players have a better average in first-class cricket compared to Tests, but Barrington only averaged 45.63 in first-class cricket, 13 less than his Test average.

The English great had exceptional numbers at No.3, scoring 2,626 runs at an incredible average of 77.24, which is the second-best of all time, only behind Bradman (103.63).

25. Younis Khan

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan sweeps the ball against Australian during a cricket match at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2002. Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP Photo

Experience: 2000-17

Country: Pakistan

Other major teams: Nottinghamshire, Surrey

Career stats in Tests: 118 matches, 10,099 runs, 52.05 average, 52.12 strike rate, 313 highest score, 34 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 265 matches, 7,249 runs, 31.24 average, 75.29 strike rate, 144 highest score, 7 100s

Bottom Line for Younis Khan

Pakistan’s Younis Khan cuts the ball against Australia in 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Rick Rycroft / AP Photo

Younis Khan is the only Pakistan player to score 10,000-plus runs in Tests and holds the record of most hundreds (34) by a Pakistani as well. In the high-octane clashes against India, Younis came out on top and made 1,321 runs at an average 88.06, the third-best after Everton Weekes (1,495 at 106.78) and Andy Flower (1,138 at 94.83).

The right-hander holds the record of the most centuries in fourth innings (five) and made 1,465 runs at an average of 50.52. He is the only player to score hundreds in 11 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, UAE and West Indies.)

He had a decent ODI career as well. Although he didn’t score at a good pace, he played the role of a sheet anchor to perfection.

24. Matthew Hayden

Australia’s Matthew Hayden strikes the winning run to beat England in the second Test at Lord’s in London in 2001. Max Nash / AP Photo

Experience: 1994-2009

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Queensland, Hampshire, Chennai Super Kings

Career stats in Tests: 103 matches, 8,625 runs, 50.73 average, 60.10 strike rate, 380 highest score, 30 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 161 matches, 6,133 runs, 43.80 average, 78.96 strike rate, 181 highest score, 10 100s

Bottom Line for Matthew Hayden

Chennai Super Kings batsman Matthew Hayden plays a shot against Wayamba in 2010. Themba Hadebe / AP Phot

Matthew Hayden is one of the most destructive openers of all time. He formed a solid opening pair with Justin Langer in Tests and forged a devastating opening pair with Adam Gilchrist in limited-over formats.

Hayden scored 1,000 runs in a calendar year for five consecutive years, most by any batsman. He also scored four hundreds in as many Tests three times.

After finding it tough to establish himself in ODIs in the early years, “Haydos” became the No.1 player in the world in all three formats — a feat achieved only by Virat Kohli and Ricky Ponting. Hayden was the highest run-getter in Australia’s victorious campaign in the 2007 World Cup, scoring 659 runs at an average of 73.22 and a strike rate of 101.07.

23. Javed Miandad

Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad hits against England in a one-day international at Fremantle in 1987. Stevens / AP Photo

Experience: 1976-96

Country: Pakistan

Other major teams: Karachi, Glamorgan

Career stats in Tests: 124 matches, 8,832 runs, 52.57 average, 58.24 strike rate, 280 highest score, 23 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 233 matches, 7,381 runs, 41.70 average, 67.01 strike rate, 119 highest score, 10 100s

Bottom Line for Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad in the 1992 Cricket World Cup final. @WSCupCricket / Twitter

Javed Miandad is arguably the greatest batsman of Pakistan. He scored consistently, and his average in Tests never went below 50.

Miandad is fondly remembered for his last-ball six against India in the Australasia Cup in the 1986 final. Pakistan needed six runs to win the match, and he deposited the Chetan Sharma delivery into the stands.

He scored 437 runs at an average of 62.60, including five fifties in Pakistan’s victorious campaign in the 1992 World Cup.

22. Virender Sehwag

India’s Virender Sehwag against Leicester in a one-day cricket match in 2002. Max Nash / AP Photo

Experience: 1999-2013

Country: India

Other major teams: Delhi, Delhi Daredevils

Career stats in Tests: 104 matches, 8,586 runs, 49.34 average, 82.23 strike rate, 319 highest score, 23 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 251 matches, 8,273 runs, 35.05 average, 104.33 strike rate, 219 highest score, 15 100s

Bottom Line for Virender Sehwag

Indian batsman Virender Sehwag plays a shot against Pakistan in 2012. Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo

Virender Sehwag is arguably the best opening batsman across formats. He gave flying starts irrespective of formats. His strike rates of 82.23 in Tests and 104.33 in ODIs are phenomenal.

Sehwag’s performance was the key when India became the No.1 team in Tests for the first time in 2009. His 293 helped India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs.

He had a habit of hitting daddy hundreds as he hit 14 150-plus scores in Tests, including two triple hundreds.

Most batsmen play freely till 90s and press the caution button when they move toward the three-figure mark, not Sehwag. “Viru” dealt in boundaries and hit sixes after he reached 90s. He even hit a six to reach 300 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004.

21. Steve Waugh

Australia’s Steve Waugh in action against England during a cricket match at Old Trafford, Manchester, in 1997. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Experience: 1985-2004

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Kent, New South Wales

Career stats in Tests: 168 matches, 10,297 runs, 51.06 average, 48.64 strike rate, 200 highest score, 32 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 325 matches, 7,569 runs, 32.90 average, 75.91 strike rate, 120 highest score, 3 100s

Bottom Line for Steve Waugh

Australian batsman Steve Waugh plays a shot against England in 1997. Rebecca Naden / AP Photo

Steve Waugh was the second-highest run-getter at the No.5 position in Tests, scoring 6,754 runs at an incredible average of 56.28. To succeed at the No.5 position, you have to bat with the tail, and he scored more runs than anyone else while batting with tail-enders, 4,065 runs.

The “Ice Man” was prolific in the Ashes and amassed 3,200 runs at an exceptional average of 58.18, and his run tally is only behind Don Bradman (5,028), Jack Hobbs (3,636) and Allan Border (3,548)

Waugh scored a majestic 120 (110) against South Africa in the Super Six stage of the 1999 World Cup, and from there, Australia was on a roll and went onto win the World Cup.

20. Adam Gilchrist

Australian captain Adam Gilchrist gives a thumbs up in front of the scoreboard following his team’s win in the third cricket Test against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval in 2000. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo

Experience: 1996-2008

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Middlesex, New South Wales, Western Australia

Career stats in Tests: 96 matches, 5,570 runs, 47.60 average, 81.95 strike rate, 204 highest score, 17 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 287 matches, 9,619 runs, 35.89 average, 96.94 strike rate, 172 highest score, 16 100s

Bottom Line for Adam Gilchrist

Australia’s Adam Gilchrist bats against Sri Lanka in 2004. Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP Photo

Wicket-keeping used to be a specialist job, meaning one could get a chance to play if he was good at wicket-keeping. Now, if you want to get into the team as a wicket-keeper, you have to bat well, too, thanks to Adam Gilchrist, who was an excellent keeper as well as a prolific batsman.

Gilchrist was a true match-winner, and his ability to raise his game in big finals was special. He scored 54 (36), 57 (48) and 149 (104) in World Cup finals in 1999, 2003, and 2007 and helped his team win the championships.

In Tests, he batted at No.7 for the major part of his career and scored quick runs at a rate of 81.96 runs per 100 balls. The strike-rate of good batsmen in Tests is around 50.

19. Sourav Ganguly

India captain Sourav Ganguly at the end of play against the West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in 2002. Lynne Sladky / AP Photo

Experience: 1992-2008

Country: India

Other major teams: Bengal, Glamorgan, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lancashire

Career stats in Tests: 113 matches, 7,212 runs, 42.17 average, 51.25 strike rate, 239 highest score, 16 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 311 matches, 11,363 runs, 41.02 average, 73.70 strike rate, 183 highest score, 22 100s

Bottom Line for Sourav Ganguly

Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly bats against Australia in 2008. Gautam Singh / AP Photo

Bottom line: Sourav Ganguly is known as the “God of Offside” since he scored heavily on offside with his timing and ability to pierce gaps. He started his Test career by scoring back-to-back hundreds against England in 1996. He had a good career in the longest format of the game, scoring 7,000-plus runs at an average of 42.18.

However, his ODI career took center stage. “Dada” was the third player to amass 10,000 runs in ODIs behind Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam-Ul-Haq. Ganguly formed a formidable opening pair with Tendulkar, and the duo added 6,609 runs (most by any opening pair) at an average 49.32, including 21 century stands.

Ganguly also was the fastest to score 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 runs in ODIs in terms of matches played during his career.

18. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya acknowledges the cheers after scoring 300 runs on the fourth day of the first cricket Test against India in 1997. Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP Photo

Experience: 1989-2011

Country: Sri Lanka

Other major teams: Mumbai Indians, Ruhuna, Somerset

Career stats in Tests: 110 matches, 6,973 runs, 40.07 average, 340 highest score, 14 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 445 matches, 13,430 runs, 32.36 average, 91.20 strike rate, 189 highest score, 28 100s

Bottom Line for Sanath Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya plays a shot against the West Indies in 2010. Andres Leighton / AP Photo

Sanath Jayasuriya destroyed bowling attacks around the world and was a nightmare for all opponents.

Before the 1996 World Cup, openers played cautiously in the first 15 overs and kept wickets in hand for later overs. Jayasuriya, along with Romesh Kaluwitharana, took a different approach, going after the bowlers right from the start in the tournament, and led Sri Lanka to a world championship. It was the end of an era, and openers started playing aggressively thereafter.

Jayasuriya holds the record of second-fastest 50 in ODIs off 17 balls. He also is the third-highest six-hitter in ODIs (270) and fourth-highest in international cricket (352).

At one point in time, he held the record of the highest individual score in all forms of the game for the highest team total, 340 in 952-6 in Tests, 157 off 104 in 443-9 in ODIs, and 88 off 44 in 260-6 in T20 internationals.

17. Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq sweeps a delivery as Zimbabwe wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu watches during their cricket match in 2002. Str / AP Photo

Experience: 1992-2007

Country: Pakistan

Other major teams: Lahore Badshahs, Multan, Yorkshire

Career stats in Tests: 120 matches, 8,830 runs, 49.60 average, 54.02 strike rate, 329 highest score, 25 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 378 matches, 11,739 runs, 39.52 average, 74.24 strike rate, 137 highest score, 10 100s

Bottom Line for Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam-ul-Haq was a Pakistani cricket legend. Anjum Naveed / AP Photo

Inzamam-ul-Haq was the backbone of Pakistan’s middle order in the 1990s and 2000s. Although he was a terrible runner between the wickets, that didn’t deter him from scoring truckloads of runs in international cricket. He shot to fame after making a match-winning 60 off 37 balls against New Zealand in the 1992 World Cup semifinal.

He hit sixes at will as he had the power to clear the ropes with ease. His ability to bat with tail and win matches was commendable.

He was the second player to score 10,000 runs in ODIs behind Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 20,580 runs in international cricket, most by a Pakistani and 10th most in the world.

16. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers ducks a bouncer during play on the second day of the fifth and final cricket Test against England in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2005. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Experience: 2004-18

Country: South Africa

Other major teams: Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Career stats in Tests: 114 matches, 8,765 runs, 50.66 average, 54.51 strike rate, 278 highest score, 22 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 228 matches, 9,577 runs, 53.50 average, 101.09 strike rate, 176 highest score, 25 100s

Bottom Line for AB de Villiers

South Africa’s AB de Villiers at the wicket against Australia in 2018. Michael Sheehan / AP Photo

AB de Villiers is known as “Mr. 360” because he could play shots all around the wicket with an equal amount of ease. He holds the record for the fastest 50 in 16 balls, fastest hundred in 31 balls, and fastest 150 in 64 balls in ODIs.

What set de Villiers apart from others was his ability to play differently in different situations. The man who scored the fastest 100 in ODIs made 43 in 297 balls against India at a strike rate of 14.47.

If a player bats in the middle order, the chances of scoring more runs decrease, and average can take a hit. De Villiers didn’t have this problem. He averaged 53.50 at a strike rate of 101.09 while batting in the South African middle order for most of his career.

15. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies bats against India at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John’s, Antigua, in 2002. Lynne Sladky / AP Photo

Experience: 1994-2015

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Derbyshire, Durham, Guyana

Career stats in Tests: 164 matches, 11,867 runs, 51.37 average, 43.31 strike rate, 203 highest score, 30 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 268 matches, 8,778 runs, 41.60 average, 70.74 strike rate, 150 highest score, 11 100s

Bottom Line for Shivnarine Chanderpaul

West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul looks to play a cut shot against New Zealand in 2008. Wayne Drought / AP Photo/NZPA

Shivnarine Chanderpaul didn’t follow the standard style of batting. Instead, he had a crab-like stance with his chest facing the bowler, yet he piled on runs in both Tests and ODIs.

Teams often found it hard to dismiss Chanderpaul since his defense was rock solid. The left-hander spent 1,000 minutes at the crease between consecutive Test dismissals on as many as four occasions. In 2002, he batted for 25 hours spread across three innings against India. In 2007, the West Indies legend spent 17 hours in three innings against England. In 2008, he clocked 18 hours in three innings against Australia.

Even though he was known for his defensive style of play, he could play counter-attacking innings as well. He scored a 69-ball 100 against the Aussies in 2003. He took England’s Steve Harmison to the cleaners by scoring 26 runs in an ODI at Province in 2009, hitting five fours and a six.

14. Sunil Gavaskar

Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar cuts the ball into the field against England at New Delhi in 1984. Str/Kishore / AP Photo/Str/Kishore

Experience: 1971-1987

Country: India

Other major teams: Mumbai, Somerset

Career stats in Tests: 125 matches, 10,122 runs, 51.12 average, 42.51 strike rate, 236 highest score, 34 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 108 matches, 3,092 runs, 35.13 average, 62.26 strike rate, 103 highest score, 1 100s

Bottom Line for Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar in 1971. @CricketTard / Twitter

West Indies had a set of fiery fast bowlers in the 1970s and 1980s. Batsmen found it difficult to put bat on ball against them, let alone scoring. Then, there was Sunil Gavaskar, who scored 2,749 runs at an average of 65.45, including 13 hundreds against the mighty Caribbean bowlers.

Gavaskar was the first player to score 10,000 runs in Tests. He also held the record of most centuries in Tests, 34, for 19 years before Sachin Tendulkar broke it in 2005.

“The Little Master” had a phenomenal record in fourth innings, where most batsmen struggle. The Mumbaikar scored 1,398 runs at an average of 58.25 in fourth innings of a Test match.

13. Mahela Jayawardene

Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene grimaces as he is hit in the box against South Africa in 2002. Jon Hrusa / AP Photo

Experience: 1997-2015

Country: Sri Lanka

Other major teams: Sinhalese Sports Club, Somerset, Sussex

Career stats in Tests: 149 matches, 11,814 runs, 49.84 average, 51.45 strike rate, 374 highest score, 34 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 448 matches, 12,650 runs, 33.37 average, 78.96 strike rate, 144 highest score, 19 100s

Bottom Line for Mahela Jayawardene

Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene makes a quick single against Australia in 2004. Rob Griffith / AP Photo

Mahela Jayawardene was a classy batsman, who made batting look easy. He is the fourth-highest run-getter in international cricket. Along with Kumar Sangakkara, he scripted many wins for Sri Lanka and forged match-winning partnerships. Their tally of 6554 runs in Tests at an average of 56.50 is the second best behind Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid (6920 at 50.51).

Jayawardene and Tendulkar are the only players who played 600-plus matches. Jayawardene played 652 matches while Tendulkar played 664 matches.

His 374 against South Africa in Colombo in July 2006 is the fourth-highest individual score in Tests.

12. Virat Kohli

India captain Virat Kohli gestures to the crowd after beating South Africa during the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final match in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2008. Peter Lim / AP Photo

Experience: 2008-present

Country: India

Other major teams: Delhi, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Career stats in Tests: 77 matches, 6,613 runs, 53.76 average, 57.26 strike rate, 243 highest score, 25 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 222 matches, 10,533 runs, 59.50 average, 92.58 strike rate, 183 highest score, 39 100s

Bottom Line for Virat Kohli

India’s Virat Kohli bats against New Zealand in 2020. Mark Baker / AP Photo

Virat Kohli has been a special player across formats and held ICC’s top rank in all three formats. Recently, Australian cricket commentator and former cricketer Michael Clarke hailed him as the greatest ODI batsman of all time, and former cricketer Ian Chappell said Kohli would end up as the Bradman of ODIs.

Kohli has amassed more than 10,000 runs in ODIs at a phenomenal average of 59.50, the best average among players who have played at least 50 ODIs. He has scored 39 centuries, the second best behind Tendulkar.

Kohli is fondly called the “Chase Master” as he has made chasing look easy and scored 24 hundreds while chasing, and 21 of them resulted in wins, with a stunning average of 97.98.

The current India captain has a terrific record in Tests and T20Is too. His winning of all top three ICC awards in 2018, ICC cricketer of the year, Test player of the year and ODI player of the year, underscores his authority across formats.

11. Rahul Dravid

India’s Rahul Dravid avoids a bouncer against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in 2002. Max Nash / AP Photo

Experience: 1996-2012

Country: India

Other major teams: Karnataka, Kent, Rajasthan Royals

Career stats in Tests: 164 matches, 13,288 runs, 52.31 average, 42.51 strike rate, 270 highest score, 36 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 344 Matches, 10,889 runs, 39.16 average, 71.24 strike rate, 153 highest score, 12 100s

Bottom Line for Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals batsman Rahul Dravid plays a shot against Delhi Daredevils during an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in New Delhi, India, in 2012. AP Photo

Every sport has some unsung heroes, and Rahul Dravid is perhaps cricket’s biggest unsung hero. Although he made 10,000-plus runs in both ODIs and Tests, he was overshadowed by a more decorated Tendulkar for most of his career.

Still, Dravid, or “The Wall,” had a say in India’s notable wins. He scored 180 and stitched a match-winning 376 runs partnership with VVS Laxman (281) against Australia in 2001. Dravid also scored 233 and 72 in India’s famous overseas win against Australia in Adelaide.

He is the second-highest run-scorer at No.3 in Tests behind Kumar Sangakkara, piling on 10,524 runs at the pivotal position. Dravid holds the record of facing most balls in Tests, 31,258 balls, as well.

10. Gary Sobers

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II bestows a knighthood on West Indian cricketer Gary Sobers during a ceremony at the Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown in Barbados in 1975. AP Photo

Experience: 1954-74

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Barbados, Nottinghamshire, South Australia

Career stats in Tests: 93 matches, 8,032 runs, 57.78 average, 365 highest score, 26 100s

Bottom line: Gary Sobers is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time. Bradman once called him a “five in one cricketer” because Sobers excelled in all cricketing skills with wicket-keeping as the only exception.

He broke the record of the highest individual score against Pakistan in 1958 by scoring 365, a record which stood for 36 years. It’s still the fourth-highest individual score in Tests. His average 57.78 is the best among players who has made 8,000-plus runs.

The southpaw is the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. He started his career as a bowler, which makes these batting records all the more impressive.

Bottom Line for Gary Sobers

Gary Sobers, in 1968, became the first player to smash six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. The Cricket Times / Facebook

Gary Sobers is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time. Bradman once called him a “five in one cricketer” because Sobers excelled in all cricketing skills with wicket-keeping as the only exception.

The southpaw is the first batsman to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. He started his career as a bowler, which makes these batting records all the more impressive.

9. Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara during a practice session in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, in 2012. Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo

Experience: 2000-2015

Country: Sri Lanka

Other major teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Surrey, Warwickshire

Career stats in Tests: 134 matches, 12,400 runs, 57.40 average, 54.19 strike rate, 319 highest score, 38 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 404 matches, 14,234 runs, 41.98 average, 78.86 strike rate, 169 highest score, 25 100s

Bottom line: These are Kumar Sangakkara’s last five innings in his ODI career: 105, 117, 104, 124, 45. He stopped playing when he was at his peak. He is the only player to hit four consecutive centuries in ODIs and did it in a World Cup.

He is the second-highest run-getter in ODIs and sixth-highest run-getter in Tests. His Test average, 57.40, is the highest among batsmen who made 10,000-plus runs.

Big players perform on big stages, and “Sanga” did exactly that in the 2014 WT20 final. He was struggling throughout the tournament but scored a match-winning 52 (35) against India in the final.

Bottom Line for Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka national team player Kumar Sangakkara watches his shot against India in 2015. Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo

These are Kumar Sangakkara’s last five innings in his ODI career: 105, 117, 104, 124, 45. He stopped playing when he was at his peak. He is the only player to hit four consecutive centuries in ODIs and did it in a World Cup.

He is the second-highest run-getter in ODIs and sixth-highest run-getter in Tests. His Test average, 57.40, is the highest among batsmen who made 10,000-plus runs.

Big players perform on big stages, and “Sanga” did exactly that in the 2014 WT20 final. He was struggling throughout the tournament but scored a match-winning 52 (35) against India in the final.

8. Jacques Kallis

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis hits a ball at the Oval cricket ground in London in 2012. Tom Hevezi / AP Photo

Experience: 1995-2014

Country: South Africa

Other major teams: Cape Cobras, Glamorgan, Kolkata Knight Riders, Middlesex

Career stats in Tests: 166 matches, 13,289 runs, 55.37 average, 45.97 strike rate, 224 highest score, 45 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 328 matches, 11,579 runs, 44.36 average, 72.89 strike rate, 139 highest score, 17 100s

Bottom Line for Jacques Kallis

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis bats against Ireland during a Cricket World Cup match in Calcutta, India, in 2011. Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP Photo

Jacques Kallis amassed 10,000-plus runs in both Tests and ODIs and is the third-highest run-getter in Tests and seventh-highest run-getter in ODIs. He is known as the greatest all-rounder of the modern era, picking up 250-plus wickets in both formats.

The South Africa player has scored 45 centuries in Tests, second-most by any batsman behind Tendulkar. Also, Kallis holds the record of the most Man of the Match awards in Tests with 23.

Kallis scored five centuries in five consecutive Tests in the 2003-04 season — second only Bradman, who scored six centuries in consecutive matches — and the right-hander ended his Test career on a high note by scoring 115 in his last match.

7. Jack Hobbs

English cricketer Herbert Sutcliffe, left, with Jack Hobbs, right and wife Ada Ellen Gates Hobbs on the platform at Victoria, London, as they leave to play cricket in India in 1930. AP Photo

Experience: 1908-30

Country: England

Other major teams: Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram’s XI, Surrey

Career stats in Tests: 61 matches, 5,410 runs, 56.94 average, 42.51 strike rate, 211 highest score, 15 100s

Bottom Line for Jack Hobbs

Jack Hobbs made 5,410 runs in Test cricket at an average of 56.94. @ICC / Twitter

When Jack Hobbs hung up his boots, he was the highest run-getter in Tests, 1,998 ahead of Clem Hill, and Hobbs made those runs at an excellent average of 56.94.

His average as an opener, 56.37 is the third-best of all time (with at least 4000-plus runs). He also is the oldest player to score a hundred, posting 142 against Australia in Melbourne in 1929 when he was 46 years and 82 days old.

The former England opener is the only player to score 60,000-plus runs in first-class cricket. He also hit 199 centuries in first-class cricket, 29 ahead of Patsy Hendren.

6. Wally Hammond

Wally Hammond, captain of the MCC Cricketers, arriving back at Waterloo from their tour in South Africa in 1939. Len Puttnam / AP Photo

Experience: 1927-47

Country: England

Other major teams: Gloucestershire, South Africa Air Force

Career stats in Tests: 85 matches, 7,249 runs, 58.45 average, 336 highest score, 22 100s

Bottom Line for Wally Hammond

Wally Hammond drives for MCC against New South Wales in 1928. @PictureSporting / Twitter

To average over 50 in Tests is considered excellent, and Wally Hammond averaged 58.46. But he had to stay satisfied as the second best since he played in the era of Bradman, who averaged an unbelievable 99.94. Hammond’s average in Tests is the best among batsmen who made 7,000-plus runs.

He holds the record of the fastest player to score 7,000 runs in terms of innings played. He also was the first player to cross the 7,000-run mark and was the highest run-getter when he retired.

The English middle-order batsman was the first player to aggregate 900-plus runs in a series when he made 905 runs against Australia at an average 113.12 in the Ashes in 1928. He also amassed 50,551 runs in first-class cricket (third best of all time), including 167 hundreds.

5. Viv Richards

West Indies cricketer Viv Richards, right, leaps with joy during the Cricket Prudential World Cup match in 1975 at The Oval cricket ground in London. Peter Kemp / AP Photo

Experience: 1974-91

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Combined Islands, Glamorgan, Leeward Islands, Queensland, Somerset

Career stats in Tests: 121 matches, 8,540 runs, 50.66 average, 50.23 strike rate, 294 highest score, 24 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 187 matches, 6,721 runs, 47.00 average, 90.20 strike rate, 189 highest score, 11 100s

Bottom Line for Viv Richards

Viv Richards swung a big bat. @imtheguy007 / Twitter

Viv Richards was way ahead of his contemporaries — he had a strike rate of 90.2 in ODIs in the 1970s and 1980s when most batsmen scored at a rate of 60-70.

The swashbuckling right-hander, one of the five Wisden cricketers of the 20th century, held the record for fastest 100 off 56 balls in Tests for 40 years, before Brendon McCullum broke the record in 2015.

In 1976, Richards scored a whopping 1,710 runs at an average of 90 with seven centuries from 11 Tests.

Richards had a good record in World Cups — 1,013 runs at an average of 63.31. He guided West Indies to a World Cup win in 1979, making an unbeaten 138 off 157 balls against England in the final. In addition, he was the second-highest run-getter in the 1979 and 1983 editions of the showpiece event of the 20th century.

4. Brian Lara

West Indies captain Brian Lara during the Super Eight Cricket World Cup match at the Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana, in 2007. Themba Hadebe / AP Photo

Experience: 1990-2007

Country: West Indies

Other major teams: Northern Transvaal, Southern Rocks, Trinidad & Tobago, Warwickshire

Career stats in Tests: 131 matches, 11,953 runs, 52.88 average, 60.51 strike rate, 400 highest score, 34 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 299 matches, 10,405 runs, 40.48 average, 79.51 strike rate, 169 highest score, 19 100s

Bottom Line for Brian Lara

Brian Lara was an inspiration for many cricket fans. @rpsingh / Twitter

Who was the toughest to ball to? If you ask this question to premier bowlers of the 1990s and early 2000s, most would say it was Brian Lara. The elegant left-hander played pace and spin equally well.

His 400 against England in 2004 is the highest individual score in Tests. His 375 against England in 1994 is third on the list of highest individual scores in the longest format of the game.

Lara was the only player who appeared twice in the list of ESPNCricinfo’s top 25 Test batting performances of all time, with his 153 and 213 against Australia in 1999.

3. Ricky Ponting

Australian Ricky Ponting dives to make his ground against the West Indies at the Gabba Cricket Ground in Brisbane, Australia, in 2005. Steve Holland / AP Photo

Experience: 1995-2012

Country: Australia

Other major teams: Mumbai Indians, Somerset, Surrey, Tasmania

Career stats in Tests: 168 matches, 13,378 runs, 51.85 average, 58.72 strike rate, 257 highest score, 41 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 375 matches, 13,704 runs, 42.03 average, 80.39 strike rate, 164 highest score, 30 100s

Bottom Line for Ricky Ponting

Australian captain Ricky Ponting plays a shot against India during the Cricket World Cup in 2011. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo

Ricky Ponting is the biggest match-winner with the bat for Australia in the modern era. The Aussies posted a mammoth 359-2 in the World Cup final against India in 2003, thanks to an excellent 140 (128) by Ponting.

The right-hander is the second-highest run-getter in Tests, third-highest run-getter in ODIs, and second-highest run-getter in World Cups.

He also was the Man of the Match in the inaugural T20I against New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 98 in just 55 balls.

2. Sachin Tendulkar

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring his 100th century during the Asia Cup cricket match against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2012, becoming the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries. Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

Experience: 1989-2013

Country: India

Other major teams: Mumbai, Mumbai Indians

Career stats in Tests: 200 matches, 15,921 runs, 53.78 average, 54.08 strike rate, 248 highest score, 51 100s

Career stats in ODIs: 463 matches, 18,246 runs, 44.83 average, 86.23 strike rate, 200 highest score, 49 100s

Bottom Line for Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar plays a shot in 1994. @13kamilkhan / Twitter

Sachin Tendulkar is known as the “God of Cricket.” He made his debut at age 16 against Pakistan and never looked back, amassing the most runs in both ODIs and Tests.

He has scored 100 international centuries, 29 more than second-best Ricky Ponting, and scored the most runs in World Cups, 2,278, at an incredible average of 56.95.

He played many memorable knocks and won many games single-handedly. He also experienced losing a number of games because of a lack of support from the other end.

Tendulkar carried the hopes of millions every time he walked up to bat and didn’t disappoint. He was the reason people made cricket a profession, and many started watching cricket just to see him bat. It was no surprise that cricket viewership dipped after his retirement.

1. Bradman

Don Bradman practicing at the nets at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1936. AP Photo

Experience: 1928-48

Country: Australia

Other teams: New South Wales, South Australia

Career stats in Tests: 52 matches, 6,996 runs, 99.94 average, 334 highest score, 29 100s

Bottom Line for Bradman

Bradman. The greatest cricket batsman of all time. @NorthStandGang / Twitter

Bradman is the greatest batsman of all time. His average of 99.94 in Tests — 38.07 ahead of the next best, Adam Voges (61.87) —is one record that is certain not to be broken.

When Bradman went to bat for the final time, he needed to score only four runs to mark a phenomenal average of 100. But he was bowled by a “googly” off Eric Hollies.

Still, Bradman’s consistency and ability to play long innings were unmatchable. He notched 12 200-plus scores and scored six hundreds in six consecutive matches in the 1937-38 season.

The Australian legend also holds the record of most runs in a Test series as he scored 974 runs from seven innings at an incredible average of 139.14 in the Ashes in 1930.