Assessing the top cricketers globally involves considering many things. Like, is getting five wickets in a Test match as good as scoring 70 runs to win an IPL match? Also, how important is it to be good in all types of cricket games?
Making these rankings involved looking at recent performances as well as past achievements. We didn’t just focus on recent events, but we did consider performances over the past year to see who’s doing well now.
Players who can do well in different aspects of the game seem to have an advantage. Being able to affect the game in more than one way is valuable. But players who are the best in their specific role are still important, like someone who can finish a T20 match with big hits or a bowler who’s excellent at the start of a Test match.
Nowadays, we have easier access to statistics than before. But making a list like this is still a matter of personal opinion, and some players that fans really like might not be on it.
Top Cricket Players of 2024 Worldwide
10. Shakib Al Hasan
The ICC rankings don’t tell us everything. But it’s important to note that Shakib Al Hasan is ranked in the top three among all-rounders in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This is quite impressive, especially considering he’s kept up this level of performance for a long time.
In all three formats of the game, his batting average is better than his bowling average. Even though Shakib is in his mid-thirties and has faced some controversies in his career, he’s still considered one of the best players globally.
9. Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell joined international cricket later than some others, but he’s quickly become a key player. He’s been doing well, with an average of over 50 in both Tests and ODIs. Also, he’s got some good deals with cricket teams like the Chennai Super Kings.
Mitchell has shown he can play long innings in Test matches and make quick, impactful contributions in shorter formats like ODIs. He’s considered one of the most flexible batters in the world right now, and he’s always one of the first choices for the New Zealand team in all types of cricket matches.
8. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada started playing for his country in 2014. Since then, he’s become a really good fast bowler who can play in any type of cricket match. Rabada’s ability to control the ball, his speed, and the way it bounces make him valuable even on pitches that don’t help bowlers much.
In Test matches, he only gives away an average of 22 runs per wicket. He’s also a regular player in T20 matches for different teams. Rabada has the best record for taking wickets quickly in Test matches among bowlers who have played more than 18 Tests. After Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel retired, Rabada became the main bowler for South Africa.
7. Pat Cummins
The past year has been really good for Pat Cummins. He helped Australia keep hold of the Ashes and win the World Test Championship. Cummins also led Australia to victory in the World Cup, where he bowled exceptionally well in the final match.
For his outstanding performance, he was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2023. In the IPL auction of 2024, he became the second-most expensive player ever. Cummins is not only a great bowler but also contributes with useful batting skills. There are also indications that he’s getting better as a captain.
6. Joe Root
England’s best-ever batter deserved a spot in these rankings, despite not performing at his best recently. Joe Root is ranked third among Test batters and is also very good in limited-overs cricket.
One of his best innings was when he scored an impressive 122 not out in Ranchi. This is remarkable considering he has scored 47 centuries in international cricket and has an average of just under 50 in both Tests and ODIs. Root has scored 11,626 runs in Test matches and is only 33 years old. He might even surpass Sachin Tendulkar to become the player with the most Test runs ever.
5. Heinrich Klaasen
Some people might argue about putting a batsman with little Test experience this high on the list. Heinrich Klaasen has only played four Tests so far, but he’s known for his amazing batting in limited-overs cricket, so he deserves to be considered one of the best players in the world.
In the IPL, he has the second-highest strike rate ever. Among the top 13 players with the highest career strike rates in ODIs, Klaasen is the only one who also averages 40 with the bat. He’s good at hitting boundaries in the middle of the innings and finishing off games with big hits, which is why he’s in demand in T20 cricket.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been amazing in international cricket. His two double centuries against England broke many records. But it’s not just about how many runs he scores, it’s also about how he scores them.
Jaiswal has been aggressive from the start, but he can also play patiently when needed. He’s shown all the skills that have made him a great player in shorter cricket formats. At only 22 years old, he has a lot of potential. He holds the record for the fastest 50 in IPL history, so he’s expected to do well in all types of cricket matches.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as the top bowler globally. Many agree that he’s the best choice to have on your team, whether it’s the start of a Test match or the end of a limited-overs game.
His short run-up and unusual bowling action make it hard for batsmen to predict his deliveries. He creates tricky angles, and he’s skilled at swinging and seaming the ball in Test matches. Besides, he’s got a fierce bouncer and can deliver yorkers that are almost impossible to play.
2. Rachin Ravindra
He performed well in the World Cup and did a great job with both batting and bowling in the Test matches against South Africa. Ravindra is an important player for the Black Caps in all types of cricket games.
Even though the statistics don’t show everything about how good Ravindra is, he’s only going to get better. He’s still only 25 years old, so we can expect even more impressive performances from him in the future.
1. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is way ahead at the top of the Test all-rounder rankings. He’s a complete cricketer who’s good at everything. Not only can he bat well in all types of cricket matches, but he’s also a great spinner. He can attack when playing in places like the subcontinent and can also play defensively when playing overseas.
And let’s not forget his fielding skills, which many say are the best in the world.
Like many all-rounders, his averages don’t fully show how good he is, but having an average of 12 runs more with the bat than with the ball in Tests shows he’s great.
Sometimes people don’t talk about his bowling as much as they talk about Ravichandran Ashwin’s, and he might not shine as brightly in batting when compared to players like Virat Kohli. But Jadeja is a tough competitor and would be considered for a World XI team in any conditions and any format of the game.