Test cricket is not a funny thing. Some consider it is not a real form of cricket – a five-day test of skills that demands the best from players in terms of discipline, fortitude, and fitness. It’s gladiatorial, almost. No protective rules favoring the batsman and few restrictions on bowlers. A cricketer’s skills, his entire childhood’s worth of training, and all of the ink expended in the hype around his exploits in T20s or One Day Internationals can come to naught if he fails to make the cut in Test cricket.
The following are the best Test batsmen since the year 2000.
1- Sachin Tendulkar
His records generally factor in 20th-century performances, even though he was 27 when the 21st century came along. He spent the next 14 years establishing a list of records that may never be surpassed. Sachin Tendulkar – 200 Test matches; 15,921 runs; 51 centuries, 68 half-centuries, the highest score of 248, and an average of 53.78.
2- Kumar Sangakkara
It is quite surprising that a batsman as good as Kumar Sangakkara was not recognized on the same level as batting greats like Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, and Kallis. Sangakkara started his Test career in 2000 as a wicketkeeper-batsman. The stylish Sri Lankan left-hander ditched the gloves to focus on his willow work, and that produced phenomenal results. Sangakkara finished with an average of 57.40. He was such a great keeper as well. Kumar Sangakkara: 134 Test matches; 12,400 runs; 38 centuries; 52 half-centuries; an average of 57.40; the highest score of 319 runs.
3- Rickey Ponting
Rickey Ponting was the Australian captain. He leads Australia for many years. The one thing that stands out about Ricky Ponting, besides his trademark pivot and pulls off the back foot, was that he made batting look exciting. An aggressive batsman who was a joy to watch. Partly Australia’s answer to Sachin Tendulkar through the opening decade of the 21st century, Ricky Ponting had one advantage, If Tendulkar was Horatio, Ponting was Hercules. He was part of an all-conquering team, and he was the one to put the opposition’s bowling to the sword. Ricky Ponting: 168 Test matches; 13,378 runs, second only to Sachin Tendulkar; 41 centuries; 62 half-centuries; the highest score of 257; and an average of 51.85.
4- Brian Lara
Brain Lara is the left hand west Indian batsman. At his peak, Lara was an unmatched batting genius against pace as well as spin who could outplay Tendulkar, Ponting, or anyone else. And he made many hundreds – six scores over 200 came after the year 2000. His legendary 400 not out against England came in 2004. Brian Lara: 131 Test matches; 11,953 runs; 34 centuries; 48 half-centuries; the highest score of 400 not out; an average of 52.88.
5- Rahul Dravid
There’s little that can be said of Rahul Dravid that hasn’t already been said a hundred times. His arrival essentially changed Indian cricket. Tendulkar finally found a partner with whom he could score big runs, and on occasion, even boss opposition bowling attacks. Dravid scores tons of runs at a steady clip that
