Five Batsmen Who Ruled The Number One Test Ranking For Maximum Years

For most batsmen aspiring to make it big at the international level, Test cricket remains their first and foremost ambition. It is only through years of first-class experience and consistency; a batsman gets awarded their first Test cap. And it is nothing more than an iconic moment when they receive it.

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It is undoubtedly challenging to get to the top of the Test rankings. But what is, even more, is to stay there for an extended period since even one lean inning can lead to a dip. On the other hand, the more consistent batsmen remain, the more they have the chance to stay at the top. Over the years, only a handful have retained the top spot for a maximum number of years.

We take a look at five batsmen who ruled the number one Test rank for maximum years:

Sachin Tendulkar (1994, 1998-2000):

Arguably one of the most prolific run-getter of all time, Sachin Tendulkar is the custodian of several Test records. Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989 and went on to play for 24 years, neutralising some best bowlers of all the eras. With 15921 Test runs, the 47-year old is the highest run-getter in history.

With 200 caps and 51 centuries, the tally is the highest by a mile for any player as well. Meanwhile, it was in 1994 that when he climbed to the top of the Test rankings. Tendulkar topped the rankings in 1998 again and stayed till 2000. The Mumbai batsman retired in 2013 as the highest run-getter in both ODI and Tests and also the most-capped player in both the versions.

Ricky Ponting (2003, 2005-2007):

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is one of the most uncompromising players of his generation. At number three in Tests and ODIs, Ricky Ponting’s enterprising strokeplay was often the catalyst for Australia’s victories and was central to their dominance from early 2000s till late 2010.

The Tasmanian is also Australia’s highest run-getter in Tests and ODIs with 13378 and 13704 runs respectively. Ponting climbed the top of the batting Test rankings for the first time in 2003. The right-handed batsman regained the spot in 2005 and reigned supreme, accumulating 2877 runs across 25 Tests in 2005 and 2006.

Kumar Sangakkara (2007, 2010-2012):

Flamboyant left-handed batsman Kumar Sangakkara held a penchant for effortless run-scoring. Kumar Sangakkara boasted of one of the most picturesque cover drives, reminiscent to the one played by Brian Lara. With over 26000 international runs, the former Sri Lankan skipper is the highest run-getter for his country.

With 11 double centuries in 134 Tests, the 42-year old has the second-highest tally of it. It was the first time in December 2007 that Sangakkara scurried his way to the top. The southpaw returned in 2010 and was there for almost three years before Michael Clarke dethroned him.

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Ab de Villiers (2013-2015):

South African colossus Ab de Villiers takes the second spot in this list. While De Villiers’ gameplay is precisely that of the one in limited-overs cricket, he tasted equal success in Test cricket too. The right-handed batsmen could play the textbook Test-match knock too as much as he can send the ball easily out of the park.

With 8765 runs in 114 Tests at 50.56, the 36-year old is the fourth-highest run-getter for South Africa. He wanged his way for the first time to the top in 2013 and etched his dominance till 2015. De Villiers announced his retirement in May 2018 after playing nearly 400 games since 2004 for the Proteas.

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Steve Smith:

Australia’s batting mainstay in Tests, Steve Smith, is the first on this particular list with his prolific run-scoring through his unorthodox stand. While Steve Smith is not the prettiest batsman to watch, his methods haven’t been decoded easily by the bowlers. Smith’s meteoric rise began in 2014, four years after his Test debut. The New South Wales batsman never averaged below 71 between the years 2014-2017, hammering away 21 centuries.

After the 2015 series against the West Indies, in which he averaged a mind-boggling 141.50 in two Tests, he dethroned Ab de Villiers. After staying out of the game for most of 2018 and took back the top spot from Virat Kohli in 2019 in his first innings since return. Towards the end of the year, the 31-year old suffered a barren run before reaching the zenith again.

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