Top Two Ranked Batters at the End of Each Year (Since 2000)

The journey of international cricket has seen many batting legends rise to the top of the rankings over the years. The top two ranked batters at the end of each year provide a fascinating insight into the dominance of certain players and the evolving nature of the game. From Michael Bevan’s consistency in the early 2000s to Virat Kohli’s reign in the 2010s, the rankings reflect the players who have defined eras with their exceptional performances. Here’s a look at the top two ranked batters at the end of each year since 2000.

Here are the top two ODI batters in the ICC Rankings since 2000 🔝🏏

Babar Azam continues to be on the Top for the fourth consecutive year so far 🇵🇰👏#BabarAzam #RohitSharma #ICC #ODIs #Rankings #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/3vZAbSVGMJ
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 16, 2024

Top Two Ranked Batters at the End of Each Year

Early 2000s: The Era of Bevan and Tendulkar

The early 2000s were dominated by Australia’s Michael Bevan, who was renowned for his finishing abilities in ODIs, and India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who continued to break records and captivate fans worldwide. Meanwhile Other players like Sourav Ganguly and Sanath Jayasuriya also made significant impacts during this period.

Mid-2000s: The Ponting and Gilchrist Dominance

As the decade progressed, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist became the faces of Australian dominance in world cricket. Their aggressive batting styles and consistent performances saw them top the rankings, reflecting Australia’s supremacy during this era.

Late 2000s: The Rise of MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers

Therefore The latter part of the decade saw the emergence of MS Dhoni as a batting powerhouse, along with the continued brilliance of Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist. By the end of the decade, AB de Villiers had established himself as one of the most versatile and destructive batters in the world.

2010s: The Kohli Era

The 2010s were defined by Virat Kohli’s unparalleled consistency and ability to chase down targets. Meanwhile Kohli’s reign at the top of the rankings was complemented by the likes of AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma, who also dominated in this period. Kohli’s run of form, particularly in ODIs, saw him consistently end the year as one of the top two ranked batters.

Recent Years: The Rise of Babar Azam and Shubman Gill

As we moved into the 2020s, Babar Azam emerged as a modern-day great, consistently finishing at the top of the rankings. Shubman Gill, a rising star from India, has also made his mark, reflecting the generational shift in cricket. Moreover The recent years have seen these players maintain their high standards, with Babar and Gill finishing as the top two ranked batters in 2024.

Key Highlights

Michael Bevan and Sachin Tendulkar were the dominant batters in the early 2000s.
Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist represented Australian dominance in the mid-2000s.
MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers emerged as the top batters in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Virat Kohli consistently topped the rankings throughout the 2010s, often accompanied by AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma.
Babar Azam and Shubman Gill have emerged as the top-ranked batters in recent years, indicating a new era in cricket.

Bullet Points

Early 2000s: Michael Bevan and Sachin Tendulkar consistently ranked among the top two.
Mid-2000s: Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist dominated the rankings.
Late 2000s: MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers rose to the top, showcasing their batting prowess.
2010s: Virat Kohli consistently ranked as the top batter, with AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma also featuring prominently.
2020s: Therefore Babar Azam and Shubman Gill represent the new generation of top-ranked batters.