There is a lot to think about when deciding who the best cricketers in the world are. How does taking five wickets in a Test match compare to scoring 70 runs in an IPL final? How important is it to be good in all formats of the game?
Making these rankings means balancing recent performance with overall career record. We don’t want to be too influenced by recent games, but to judge the best cricketers right now, we had to focus on performances over the last year.
All-rounders have an edge because they can impact the game in more ways than just batting or bowling. However, the best specialists are also very valuable, whether they are finishing a T20 game with the bat or taking early wickets in a Test match.
Here’s a list of the ten best cricketer in the world 2024:
10. Shakib Al Hasan
The ICC rankings aren’t the only thing that matters, but Shakib Al Hasan being in the top three all-rounders in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is is impressive, especially since he’s kept this up for so long.
His batting average is better than his bowling average in all three formats. Even though he’s in his mid-thirties and has had some controversies, he’s still one of the best players in the world.
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9. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada started playing international cricket in 2014. Since then, he has become a very effective fast bowler in all formats of the game. Rabada’s control, speed, and bounce make him valuable even on difficult pitches.
In Test cricket, he has a low average of just 22 runs per wicket. He is also a regular player in T20 leagues around the world. Rabada has the best strike rate in Test matches for bowlers who have played more than 18 Tests. He has become the main bowler for South Africa after Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel retired.
8. Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins had a great year. He kept the Ashes, won the World Test Championship, and led Australia to win the World Cup, where he bowled very well in the final.
In 2023, he was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. In the 2024 IPL auction, he became the second-most expensive player ever. Cummins is good at both bowling and batting lower down the order, and he’s getting better as a captain.
7. Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell started playing international cricket later than most, but he quickly made a big impact. He averages over 50 runs per game in both Tests and ODIs. He has also signed with several franchise teams, including a high-paying deal with the Chennai Super Kings for the 2024 season.
Mitchell has played long innings in Test matches and has been explosive in shorter formats. He is one of the most versatile batters in the world right now and is a key player for New Zealand in all formats.
6. Joe Root
England’s best batter ever had to be included in these rankings, even though he’s had a tough time recently. Joe Root is ranked third in Test batting and is still a great white-ball player.
His unbeaten 122 runs in Ranchi might be his best innings yet, which is impressive for a player with 47 international centuries and an average close to 50 in both Tests and ODIs. With 11,626 Test runs at age 33, Root could potentially surpass Sachin Tendulkar for the most Test runs ever.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a big impact in international cricket. His two double centuries against England have set many records. It’s not just the runs he has scored, but how he has scored them.
Jaiswal has attacked the new ball, stayed strong when needed, and shown the skills that make him great in short-format cricket. At only 22 years old, his potential is immense. He holds the record for the fastest 50 in IPL history, and he is on his way to becoming a star in all formats of the game.
4. Heinrich Klaasen
Putting a batter with little Test experience this high up might be debated. Heinrich Klaasen has only played four Tests so far, but his amazing hitting in white-ball cricket makes him one of the best players in the world.
The South African has the second-highest strike rate in IPL history. Among the top 13 players with the highest career ODI strike rates, Klaasen is the only one who averages 40 with the bat. He can take down any bowling attack and has become a popular player in T20 cricket for his ability to hit boundaries in the middle of an innings and finish strong with big shots.
3. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra, like Jaiswal, has quickly become a big name. He’s been outstanding in the World Cup and has impressed with both bat and ball in the Test series against South Africa. Ravindra is a key player for New Zealand in all formats of the game.
His stats don’t fully show how good he is yet. Since he’s only turning 25 later this year, there’s more to come, and we might see some more great performances from him.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in the world right now. Whether it’s the start of a Test match or the end of a crucial white-ball game, Bumrah is the bowler you want.
His short run-up and unusual, jerky bowling action make it hard for batters to face him. He creates awkward angles and can swing and seam the ball when the conditions are right. He also has a tricky bouncer and some really hard-to-play yorkers.
1. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is far ahead of everyone else in the Test all-rounder rankings. He’s a top-notch cricketer who excels in batting, spinning, and fielding. Jadeja is a strong batter in all formats and an excellent spinner, able to take wickets in different conditions. His fielding is probably the best in the world.
Even though his averages don’t fully show how important he is, his batting average is 12 runs higher than his bowling average in Tests, which highlights his skill.
Sometimes, his bowling is overshadowed by Ravichandran Ashwin, and he might not get as much attention as star batsmen like Virat Kohli. Still, Jadeja is a fierce competitor and would be a top pick for a world XI in any format or conditions.
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