Who is the best Test batsman in the world at the moment?

[street cricketer]

Just who exactly is the best test batsman in the world at the moment?

This might look like a very clichéd question but I'm asking this to the PPers because there are too many contenders and there is no outright best batsman right now imo. All of them have their flaws and none of them are perfect.

I'll list out my top ten contenders:

1. Joe Root
2. Kane Williamson
3. Steve Smith
4. Younis Khan
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Virat Kohli
7. Alastair Cook
8. Azhar Ali
9. Johnny Bairstow
10. David Warner

Forget the ICC rankings, who do you think is the best test batsman in the world at this point of time?

Who will be the first name in your teamsheet?

Take the current form of the player, ability to dominate attacks, ability to dig in under pressure, ability to play in adverse conditions and temperament of the player into consideration.
[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], please create a poll for this buddy.

Cast away your votes. If your answer is not in the options given above, please mention it in the thread below.

 

[Mr. Imperfect]

Overall or formats wise?

 

[Itachi]

Overall or formats wise?

Read the title.


On OP, cook and root without a doubt.

 

[street cricketer]

Read the title.


On OP, cook and root without a doubt.

Can select only one batsman.

Cook or Root?

 

[street cricketer]

How did I forget Hashim Amla lol..
[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], add the options you mentioned as well mate..

 

[Slog]

Younis Khan for now

By end of year

YK if he does well in Aus and NZ

Root if he does well in India and YK fails or is mediocre

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Steve Smith

 

[AlizeeFan]

Rahane

 

[Abdullah719]

How did I forget Hashim Amla lol..

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], add the options you mentioned as well mate..

Added poll.

 

[street cricketer]

Added poll.

Thanks buddy.

Vote away guys. Can keep updating the thread with time and when the form of the batsmen changes.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

The job of openers is very different so i would place warner and cook in a different category. Openers have to face the newest swinging and bouncing ball with fresh bowlers so situation is a bit different for them.

I rated Williamson the highest from the recent crop before seeing him getting out to Ashwin for 4 times in as many innings. Root if he can prove himself in India would have to be at the top.

Right now it's Younis Khan for me. He plays the innings with most impact. Rahane would come in at second or third place for me depending on how root fares followed by Williamson.

 

[Mr. Imperfect]

Younus Khan.

 

[abughio]

openers are often given credit for playing when the ball is new.. how about playing in same situation.. being in midlle order also comes with different challenges.. like they have to play with new ball sometimes too.. they had to face different situations snd have to set their batting plan accordingly

 

[Itachi]

Can select only one batsman.

Cook or Root?

Cook.

 

[Itachi]

Added poll.

Polls doesn't show in mobile layout?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Rahane.

Most complete bat.

Sucks in good turners (and rank turners) but is a beast in all other tracks. Acceptable in normal turners.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Younis wasn't so old, I would have given Younis the nod.

He did play well in Oval but looked worse than tailender in the main games. Its old age really.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Bairstow slowly and steadily rising up the ranks.

 

[Abdullah719]

Polls doesn't show in mobile layout?

You can view on mobile also if you use the desktop version of the website in your browser.

 

[Slog]

Younis Khan for now

By end of year

YK if he does well in Aus and NZ

Root if he does well in India and YK fails or is mediocre

ill revise and say Steve Smith

 

[Ab Fan]

Cook.

I agree he averages a mere 43 since 2013 and these numbers go even worse when we consider the fact that during this period he played 10 tests vs Aus and 4 vs weaker SA attack and got zero centuries against them but still lets not forget he plays for England and is an opener.

Opening in England is the toughest job to do.

Henceforth, its fair to say that Alastair Cook is the best batsmen going around in the world.

 

[Slog]

Cook.

I agree he averages a mere 43 since 2013 and these numbers go even worse when we consider the fact that during this period he played 10 tests vs Aus and 4 vs weaker SA attack and got zero centuries against them but still lets not forget he plays for England and is an opener.

Opening in England is the toughest job to do.

Henceforth, its fair to say that Alastair Cook is the best batsmen going around in the world.

id say that was valid till a year or so ago.

in any case 45 as an opener is equivalent to 50 avg as a middle order bat. Very few in history who have averaged 50+ opening and doing that in England is just a different story

But Smith averages 59 and has played 44 tests so its definitely not a small sample set. Also he has made one round of tours atleast to all major countries as well so its not just home biased stats either.

 

[Rayyman]

Hashim

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Root right up there too. Maybe him and Rahane.

I love watching him bat.

 

[Aman]

Younis Khan followed by Smith.

 

[SL_Fan]

Going for Williamson on potential. He’s technically and temperamentally top notch. His best is yet to come I think.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Rahane.

 

[shaz619]

Younis CHAMPION Khan.

Based on potential, Azhar Ali, Williamson and Rahane

 

[joly]

As of now Smith, surprised to see Rahane getting so many votes,can't play spin IMO, Root is a close second

 

[Red Devil]

Younis.

Root isn't far behind but there's a big question mark on his batting against spin after the BD series. If he does well in India, I'll rate him as the best.

 

[Bilal7]

Rahane and Kohli? Really? Rahane is a quality batsman but he's clearly notthe best in the world and Kohli is nowhere near the best test batsmen in the world. Put your nationalism aside while voting, people.

The best batsman in the world is Hashim Amla and by a distance too. His only weakness is old age especially because he's not as fit as a Younis Khan or Misbah ul Haq. Other than that, he's immense against all types of bowling, scores everywhere around the world and has a near perfect test record. Also has the best smiley ever.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Rahane and Kohli? Really? Rahane is a quality batsman but he's clearly notthe best in the world and Kohli is nowhere near the best test batsmen in the world. Put your nationalism aside while voting, people.

The best batsman in the world is Hashim Amla and by a distance too. His only weakness is old age especially because he's not as fit as a Younis Khan or Misbah ul Haq. Other than that, he's immense against all types of bowling, scores everywhere around the world and has a near perfect test record. Also has the best smiley ever.

Bilal ji...the question is about "at the moment".

Stature wise Amla and Yoni tower over everyone else.

Amla once he gets back into the zone can reclaim the spot.

 

[Bilal7]

Bilal ji...the question is about "at the moment".

Stature wise Amla and Yoni tower over everyone else.

Amla once he gets back into the zone can reclaim the spot.

What is "At the moment?" Amla averages 70+ in tests this year and Younis is right up there as well. In comparison, Kane and Root are much lower on the performance scale.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Based on potential, Azhar Ali, Williamson and Rahane

Must be real low standards of batting if Asian batsman averaging 30 outside Asia is considered at top potential.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

What is "At the moment?" Amla averages 70+ in tests this year and Younis is right up there as well. In comparison, Kane and Root are much lower on the performance scale.

At the moment means currently along with a bit of overall record. Based on performance and impact.

If stats is all it takes, then Smith must be right up there too. Averages 63 this year and averaged 73 last year. Amla averages 70 this year and 22 last year in 8 tests.

 

[DRsohail]

tough competition bw amla and yunus...

 

[Smbhayi]

Fear the beard

 

[Bilal7]

At the moment means currently along with a bit of overall record. Based on performance and impact.

If stats is all it takes, then Smith must be right up there too. Averages 63 this year and averaged 73 last year. Amla averages 70 this year and 22 last year in 8 tests.

Last year is hardly "at the moment". Amla and Younis have the best overall record and are in good form at the moment. They should be right at the top and below them are guys like Smith, Kane, Cook, and Root. Below that are Rahane, Kohli, Shafiq, Azhar, Warner and Matthews.

 

[Buffet]

At this moment I will take Rahane

In general, it got to be Amla.

 

[EliteCynical]

Rahane.

Most complete bat.

Sucks in good turners (and rank turners) but is a beast in all other tracks. Acceptable in normal turners.

do you not think he overcame that against SA in Delhi. Till then even i did not rate him, but that pitch was a rank turner IIRC. He sort of redeemed himself in the place where he had a horror debut!

 

[Abdullah719]

Voted for Amla as he has the most complete record out of all current batsman. Has performed virtually everywhere despite a poor 2015. Interesting series coming up between Australia and South Africa.

 

[Ab Fan]

Last year is hardly "at the moment". Amla and Younis have the best overall record and are in good form at the moment. They should be right at the top and below them are guys like Smith, Kane, Cook, and Root. Below that are Rahane, Kohli, Shafiq, Azhar, Warner and Matthews.

AB doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Aman]

Rahane.

Most complete bat.

Sucks in good turners (and rank turners) but is a beast in all other tracks. Acceptable in normal turners.

Nah, he doesn't dominate anywhere enough to be the best in the world. YK and Smith have him well covered IMHO.

 

[Ab Fan]

I can't vote currently as I am using mobile.

But I will go with Rahane.

Its close between Rahane and Smith. However, Smith unable to do anything in Asia as of now goes against him.

Younis is right up there but his struggle on those 7 innings can't be ignored.

So, Rahane it is for me.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

do you not think he overcame that against SA in Delhi. Till then even i did not rate him, but that pitch was a rank turner IIRC. He sort of redeemed himself in the place where he had a horror debut!

Well...he was back to being horrible during tough conditions in NZ series.

He can make it up in normal spin tracks but the hardest spin track runs are really scored by Vijay and Pujara.

He doesn't get to the pitch of the ball which allows turning balls to beat the bat resulting in lbw, bowled...or results in him giving a bat pad catch.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Nah, he doesn't dominate anywhere enough to be the best in the world. YK and Smith have him well covered IMHO.

Well...that goes against him but depends on how much you rate the dominating aspect.

Rahane if he improves against spin can give that scary vibe. Right now, he doesn't. So in a way, I can see where you are coming from.

But he is a gun player. So many quality knocks in his career.

 

[Adijazz1706]

I'm the only one who went for Bairstow, what gives? Most runs this year IIRC and always digging England out of holes.

 

[MenInG]

Misbah for me. The quality of his innings and the times he has played them is something huge

 

[The_Odd_One]

Easy, Johny Bairstow

He has been tremendous this year. Mostly, when he comes to bat, England is in deep trouble. Has played more pressure knocks than that overrated Root.

Rahane comes second.

 

[Bilal7]

AB doesn't exist anymore.

He doesn't in test cricket.

 

[Big Mac]

Misbah for me. The quality of his innings and the times he has played them is something huge

For my own curiosity I had a quick play around with statsguru and excel.

Over the last six years, Younus has the best innings per hundred ratio in the world (4.94) followed by Smith and Amla.

Over that same time period, Misbah has the best ratio of innings per 50+ score (2.1) followed by Sanga and Smith.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Smith for me.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Amla, Rahane, Kohli, Bairstow, Warner are my top 5. Based on performances as well as potential.

Bairstow needs to drop the gloves and move to 4-5. England are wasting him down the order.

De Villiers replaces Bairstow when he comes back.

 

[Red Devil]

Amla, Rahane, Kohli, Bairstow, Warner are my top 5. Based on performances as well as potential.

Bairstow needs to drop the gloves and move to 4-5. England are wasting him down the order.

De Villiers replaces Bairstow when he comes back.

No love for Smith, Root and Williamson?

 

[Hamza_]

Jonny Bairstow. He has been on a roll.

 

[Napa]

Kohli, with 2 double tons in the last 2 months.

Watch him beat Eng and Aus in the coming series.

 

[soso_killer]

Test cricket Amla by a comfortable distance, no current bat is fit enough to lace his boots. He's played some historic knocks in all conditions, and has stats on his side as well, not that they're the only metric. The current lot have a long long way to go.

Root looks the closest, but i want a round 2 of him facing a fit Steyn, Rabada and Philander. But he's a good player capable of dismantling any attack or grinding them down a LA Amla.

 

[zulfiqar]

I've gone with YK. Coming off the back of a brilliant away double-hundred to level the series, and plays consistently at UAE to help secure those series as well.

 

[Mamoon]

1. Joe Root
2. Alaistair Cook
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. Steve Smith
6. Kane Williamson
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Hashim Amla
9. Younis Khan
10. AB de Villiers

 

[Khan12]

1. Joe Root
2. Alaistair Cook
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. Steve Smith
6. Kane Williamson
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Hashim Amla
9. Younis Khan
10. AB de Villiers

Joke of the week. Virat ahead of younis, amla, de villiers, steave smith and kane willianson.

 

[Napa]

1. Joe Root
2. Alaistair Cook
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. Steve Smith
6. Kane Williamson
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Hashim Amla
9. Younis Khan
10. AB de Villiers

Nice list, but as the OP says "at the moment" I would rank Kohli a bit higher with his 2 double tons in 2 months.

 

[Lynx]

Jonny Bairstow without a doubt. Has played numerous quality knocks coming down the order for them, time and again. Most consistent as well for me, regardless of the conditions.

 

[Hasan123]

Rahane
Amla
Younis
Smith
Cook

 

[BD-fan]

Active batsmen with highest Test runs?
Active batsmen with highest Test average?
or
Eye test and playing favorites?
Because if Bairstow makes the list....

 

[Protea Fan]

Joe Root....He will/should prove it on the indian tour

 

[Someguy]

Misbah is a strong contender, every innings he plays is vital to the team and he performs under pressure. His stats, as good as they already are, dont do him full justice. If he performs in NZ and Australia, then i think it would have to be him, as that would seperate him from the list of fine batsman listed above. His innings tend to be vital in securing victories.

 

[abughio]

Just who exactly is the best test batsman in the world at the moment?

This might look like a very clichéd question but I'm asking this to the PPers because there are too many contenders and there is no outright best batsman right now imo. All of them have their flaws and none of them are perfect.

I'll list out my top ten contenders:

1. Joe Root
2. Kane Williamson
3. Steve Smith
4. Younis Khan
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Virat Kohli
7. Alastair Cook
8. Azhar Ali
9. Johnny Bairstow
10. David Warner

Forget the ICC rankings, who do you think is the best test batsman in the world at this point of time?

Who will be the first name in your teamsheet?

Take the current form of the player, ability to dominate attacks, ability to dig in under pressure, ability to play in adverse conditions and temperament of the player into consideration.

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION], please create a poll for this buddy.

Cast away your votes. If your answer is not in the options given above, please mention it in the thread below.

i think there should be 1 from each country.. because if best cannot beat his team mate then how can he be best around the world

 

[street cricketer]

Okay, Younis is leading the way in the poll.

Right now the standings are:

1. Younis
2. Smith/Amla
3. Rahane.

My verdict on the batsmen:

1. Steve Smith:
Positives: He has probably the best record everywhere in the world (along with Amla) and is a prolific run scorer for Australia.

Negatives: He has been crticised by people for failing when the ball moves around or turns a lot where his unorthodox technique has come under scrutiny.

2. Kane Williamson:
Positives: Has a great technique, probably the best in the business and fantastic temperament.

Negatives: Has an average record in Asia particularly in India. Similarly in England as well. His technique against spin was found wanting against Ashwin in India.

3. Joe Root:
Arguably the best batsman in the world who can dominate attacks and has very good versatility.

Has a poor conversion rate, has to make more big scores outside of England. His form has been patchy by his lofty standards this season and will face an acid test in India.

4. Younis Khan:
One of the best spin players in the world and can beat any attack into submission in Asia. Clutch player who can pull out great knocks out of the blue.

He is inconsistent overseas. Played one of the great knocks at the Oval but struggled in the rest of the series otherwise. Was a similar case in South Africa.

5. Ajinkya Rahane:
Has played excellent knocks all over the world in every country he has played in a very short career. Has been in great form in the last year averaging 60+.

Was guilty of not putting up big scores and failing to dominate a series. Had a tendency of playing a great knock but otherwise having an average series until this year.

6. Virat Kohli:
Has been in great form ever since the Australian series averaging nearly 54 in the last 2 years. Can put any attack to the sword at his peak. Has a very good record almost everywhere except England.

Needs more consistency. Struggled to cope up with the lateral movement in England two years ago. Has a tendency of playing one shot too many sometimes.

7. Alastair Cook:
Arguably the best opener in the world. Has probably the best temperament in the world along with Amla. Can make mammoth scores and has one of the best records for a non asian player in asia.

Struggles a bit against quality fast bowling and had a largely forgettable series in Australia and South Africa.

8. Hashim Amla:
Has the best record in the world. A complete batsman who has a very good technique and temperament. Arguably the best batsman in the world in the last 3 or 4 years.

Has been struggling for form in the last one year or so averaging 41 in the last 12 months. Slightly susceptible against the short ball.

9. David Warner:
Can change any match in a session and can pummel attacks into submission. Has been in very good form as well.

Struggles against turn in Asia and there are some questions over his temperament.

10. Johnny Bairstow:
The most in form batsman in the world. Is excellent against pace ans swing bowling and in crunch situations. One of the great prospects for the future and is very consistent.

Struggled against Yasir in the UAE and has an average record in Asia. Will face a huge test in India in the upcoming tour.

11. Azhar Ali:
Has brilliant temperament. Is a very solid batsman who can dig in and play big knocks. Showed good skill in his century at Birmingham when the ball was moving a bit on the 2nd day.

Has a poor record outside asia which he will need to correct in his tours next to Australia and New Zealand.

Overall taking "current form" and their records everywhere into consideration, I think Joe Root, Younis Khan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Johnny Bairstow are in contention while Smith and Williamson aren't far behind (both have had a bit of below par series in their last tour). It's very hard to pick one honestly and will probably become clear in the next 2-3 months.

 

[shaz619]

Must be real low standards of batting if Asian batsman averaging 30 outside Asia is considered at top potential.

Such narrow mindedness explains the Kohli fandom, Azhar averages 66 in the last two years and has played countless match winning innings.

 

[Someguy]

I do t think there is one clear all out winner here. Yunus, mishbah,
KANE, AND AMLA.

 

[aloo paratha]

Kohli as of now, can be Younis in a couple of months though, depending on how he does in Australia and NZ.

 

[WC-Passion]

Steve Smith.

 

[Haroon786]

Smith by a country mile - has probably averaged 40+ in every series he's played for the last 3 years. No one else comes close.

 

[Ellipsism]

steve smith

ftb.

 

[BD-fan]

Test:

1. Virat Kohli
2. YK
3. Misbah
4. Smith
5. Williamson
6. Alma
7. Tamim Ave 60+ in last two years
8. Warner
9. Pujara
10. Azhar Ali

 

[Buffet]

i think there should be 1 from each country.. because if best cannot beat his team mate then how can he be best around the world

OP's opinion about the best from country may not be correct so it's ok for him to list more than one. Also, his list is just a start, folks can put their own name in this thread.

 

[BD-fan]

Tamim in last two years: 9 matches 16 innings 909 runs. Avg 60.6. 4 Hundreds and 3 fifties.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

How can anyone rate Kohli as the best Test bat currently?

He has ability but not yet the best.

Not even close.

 

[Sachin136]

How can anyone rate Kohli as the best Test bat currently?

He has ability but not yet the best.

Not even close.

He has done better overseas than Williamson, Root, Rahane etc. His only weak point is his failure at home (which can be excused considering the difficult pitches) and England. Root hasn't done well in multiple countries (like NZ and Aus) but people still rate him as the best.

 

[Sachin136]

Tamim in last two years: 9 matches 16 innings 909 runs. Avg 60.6. 4 Hundreds and 3 fifties.

All of those matches were in Bangladesh. He hasn't played a match away from home since WI in 2014.