There are a lot of great batsmen in the world, but there can only be one best. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the contenders for the title of best batsman in the world and see who comes out on top.
Sachin Tendulkar
There is no doubt that Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman in the world. He has been the leading run scorer in both Test and One Day International cricket for many years. His records are second to none and he is universally respected by both his peers and cricket fans around the globe.
Tendulkar made his debut for India as a 16-year-old in 1989 and has since played over 200 Test matches and 350 One Day Internationals. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket and 18,000 in ODIs, making him the only player to achieve such a double. He has also scored 100 centuries (an incredible 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs), a feat that is unlikely to ever be equalled.
In addition to his batting prowess, Tendulkar is also an excellent fielder and has been known to occasionally roll his arm over with reasonable success. He is without doubt the complete package and the greatest cricketer of his generation, if not all time.
Steve Smith
There is no doubt that Steve Smith is currently the best batsman in the world. His batting average of 61.37 is significantly higher than the next best batsman, Virat Kohli (59.34). Furthermore, his Test batting average of 63.75 is also the highest in the world. In addition to his incredible batting statistics, Steve Smith is also an excellent fielder. He has been voted as the ICC Test Player of the Year twice (in 2015 and 2018), and he was also named as the Australian Test Player of the Year in 2015 and 2018.
Virat Kohli
There is no doubt that Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world right now. He has been in superb form over the last few years and has consistently scored runs against all types of bowling.
Kohli is especially strong against fast bowling and his ability to play spin bowling is also very good. He has a wide range of shots and always seems to find the gaps in the field.
He is also a very good fielder and an excellent captain. Under his leadership, India have become one of the most successful teams in the world.
There are other good batsmen around, but none of them can match Kohli’s all-round ability. He is the complete package and is currently the best batsman in the world.
Joe Root
Many cricket experts and fans would say that Joe Root is the best batsman in the world. The England captain has been in sensational form over the past few years and has consistently scored runs against all types of bowling.
Root has an impressive Test batting average of 53.17, which is the fourth highest of all time. He also has a brilliant one-day international batting average of 55.37. In addition to this, Root has an outstanding Twenty20 International batting average of 41.47. This just goes to show how versatile and talented a batsman he is.
Root is also a very skilful fielder and is often seen taking some brilliant catches in the slips cordon. His all-round abilities make him one of the most complete cricketers in the world today.
There are other batsmen who have had great years, such as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, but Joe Root is undoubtedly the best batsman in the world right now.
Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, and it is difficult to argue with that assessment. The New Zealand captain has been a key player for his country over the past few years, and he has consistently churned out big scores against some of the best bowling attacks in the world.
One of Williamson's biggest strengths is his ability to adapt to different conditions and surfaces. He is equally comfortable batting on seaming pitches in England as he is on spin-friendly tracks in Asia, and this ability to change his game according to the situation has served him well throughout his career.
Another area where Williamson stands out is his mental toughness. He is able to keep cool under pressure and make smart decisions when things are getting tough out in the middle. This was evident in last year's World Cup final, where Williamson calmly steered his team home after a nervy start against England.
So, who is the best batsman in the world? It is hard to look past Kane Williamson when making that assessment.
David Warner
There can be little doubt that David Warner is one of the best batsmen in the world. The Australian opener has been in outstanding form over the past few years, averaging over 50 in Test match cricket and scoring centuries all over the world.
Warner is particularly strong against fast bowling, and his ability to score quickly makes him a key player for Australia in all formats of the game. He is also a very experienced campaigner, having played over 100 Test matches and more than 200 ODIs.
There are other excellent batsmen around the world, but Warner is certainly up there with the very best. His combination of power, technique and experience make him a tough opponent for any bowler.
Conclusion
There is no denying that cricket is a sport with a lot of passionate fans. And when it comes to discussing who the best batsman in the world is, there are bound to be plenty of differing opinions. However, at the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. So, whether you think it's Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith or Virat Kohli, make sure you back your favourite batsman and enjoy watching them play!