In a world of constant cricketing debates, few carry as much weight as the title of the “Best Batter of the Decade.” Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin recently weighed in on this high-stakes discussion in a new video series titled Game Changers of the Decade. Ashwin, known for his analytical mind and deep tactical understanding of the game, used the platform to look back at the last ten years of international cricket and crown the ultimate run machine.

The elite five nominations for the decade’s finest

Before unveiling his top pick, Ashwin acknowledged that the competition was incredibly stiff, highlighting five specific names that have defined modern batting excellence. He pointed to the stellar turnaround or rather, the continued dominance of Joe Root, who since 2020 has been “churning out runs by tons.” Root’s consistency in Test cricket has made him a statistical marvel, closing in on legendary records.

Ashwin also lauded Steve Smith for his unparalleled ability to score “high-pressure runs” in the longest format, noting his unique technique and mental fortitude. Transitioning to the white-ball arena, the veteran spinner gave a special nod to Rohit Sharma, describing his record as “from another world” and stating it would be a “deep injustice” not to mention the Indian captain’s impact. Rounding out the elite mentions were New Zealand’s tactical genius Kane Williamson and the ever-dangerous David Warner, both of whom Ashwin credited for their incredible longevity and match-winning capabilities across formats.

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Ravichandran Ashwin names the world’s best batter of the decade

Despite the brilliance of the other four, Ashwin was unequivocal in his final decision: Virat Kohli is the Best Batter of the Decade. Ashwin grounded his choice in Kohli’s sheer volume of runs and his extraordinary ability to adapt across all three formats of the game. He highlighted Kohli’s staggering statistics—amassing over 6,000 Test runs and 7,000 ODI runs within the decade—as a testament to his “sheer excellence.”

“If you have to punch in one name that has done the rounds across formats… Yes, I’m talking about none other than Virat Kohli himself,” Ashwin stated.

The off-spinner emphasized that what truly sets Kohli apart from peers like Smith and Root is his T20 adaptability. He specifically recalled Kohli’s masterclass in the 2016 T20 World Cup quarter-final against Australia in Mohali, citing it as the perfect example of how Kohli could “pile on the chase and close out a T20 game.”

Ashwin further justified the choice by pointing to Kohli’s recent accolades, including being the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Player of the Final in the 2024 T20 World Cup. For Ashwin, Kohli’s legacy isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about his ability to perform when the lights are brightest.

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