Top 10 Greatest Test Players | Decade Wise - 2025 Updated

Test cricket has been the toughest and purest form of the game. The traditional format still entertains the fans and attracts a large audience during some special days of the Test matches. Legendary players have graced the field across generations. From the likes of Sir Donald Bradman to Virat Kohli, these cricketers have rewritten the history books of the game with their impact and match-winning ability for their respective countries.
Each era presented its own set of challenges: the blistering fast bowling of the 1970s, the spin-dominated tracks of the 1990s, and the aggressive batting of the modern age. The beauty of Test cricket rests in its demand for patience, skill, and mental toughness, which only the greatest Test players have consistently showcased. In this article, we will be using ranking factors to rank the top 10 greatest Test players of each decade.

Ranking Factors

The greatest Test players in world cricket are not only ranked by their run scores but also by their contribution to the game and consistency throughout their careers.

• Runs Scored: One of the most important ranking factors for choosing the best Test players of the decade is the sheer number of runs scored. Test cricket is widely regarded as the greatest Test of a batsman's talent, stamina, and mental power. Scoring runs in Test matches necessitates adaptation, as pitches and weather conditions differ from each nation. Whether facing swinging deliveries in England, blistering pace and bounce in Australia, or spinning tracks in India and Sri Lanka, the greatest Test players find ways to overcome challenges and score big runs.
• Impact: Beyond numbers, the impact of a player's performance in significant matches is critical in determining the best Test players of the decade. Impact extends beyond runs and wickets to give match-winning performances when the team needs them the most. Some players have the rare ability to single-handedly alter the course of a game with a heroic century or a magical bowling spell.
• Consistency: Consistency is a requirement for any great Test player of the decade. In the long format of the game, doing well in a few matches is not enough; true brilliance is defined by the ability to deliver consistently over many years. Consistent run scorers and wicket-takers stand out because they exhibit their worth not only at home but also in difficult international conditions.

List of Greatest Test Players (Decade Wise)

Who is the Greatest Test Player in each decade?

From the 1970s to the 2020s, over the years, there have been some greatest Test players who have dominated each decade. But when it comes to naming the greatest Test player of each decade, the debate becomes both intense and nostalgic. From the classic beauty of the 1970s to the forceful dominance of the 2000s, each decade has produced icons that ruled supremely. We'll go deep into every decade to find out which cricketer dominated the time and cemented their place in history as the greatest of their era. Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest Test player and famous Test player in the history of the game.

10. Pat Cummins | Australia | 2020s-Present

Pat Cummins has emerged as an important figure in the world of Test cricket since the beginning of the 2020s. Leading Australia from the front, Cummins has reinvented the position of a fast-bowling captain, demonstrating that bowlers, too, can be excellent leaders in the game's longest format. Since he was appointed Australian skipper, whatever he has touched has turned to gold for him and the country. He won the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, beating India at the largest cricket stadium in the world, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India.

Under his leadership, Australia won the famous World Test Championship (2021-2023) and reclaimed the Ashes on English soil. Cummins, who averages less than 22 in Test cricket, constantly breaks partnerships and creates pressure when it matters most. His ability to deliver in critical circumstances makes him an exceptional talent. He also won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, beating India 3-1.

9. Brian Lara | West Indies | 1990s-2000s

Brian Charles Lara has been one of the greatest left-hand batters of all time. During his time representing the West Indies in the 1990s and early 2000s, Lara's flair, elegance, and sheer brilliance with the bat transformed Test cricket. His iconic high backlift, paired with perfect timing, allowed him to find gaps with amazing accuracy, making him a bowler's nightmare. His spectacular 375 against England in 1994 and the historic 400* in 2004 were both recorded at St. John's, Antigua.

The Southpaw's records showcase his unwavering consistency and hunger to score runs every time he took the field for the Island nation. His 400* stands as the greatest individual Test score in history, a symbol of greatness. His records against the world's best bowlers, such as Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Glenn McGrath, confirmed his place among the most feared and respected batsmen.

8. Allan Border | Australia | 1970s–1980s

Allan Border is without doubt one of the greatest test players in history, for his toughness, tenacity, and exceptional leadership. Representing Australia at a tough time, Border’s impact on Test cricket was more than just about runs. He was the rock of Australia’s batting and the bedrock of their resurgence in world cricket. With over 11,000 Test runs to his name, Border was the first to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, and his level of consistency was something that few can only hope to hope to achieve in the traditional format of the game.

With his composed approach to his batting, he was able to grind out difficult innings against hostile bowling attacks, frequently rescuing Australia from losing causes. His captaincy was instrumental in changing Australia from a losing side to a world champion team. His captaincy legacy will remain in the heart of every Australian cricket fan, and his leadership approach is regarded as a template for mental toughness and resilience in Test cricket.

7. Sir Garfield Sobers | West Indies | 1950s–1960s

Sir Garfield Sobers will always be regarded as the greatest West Indies cricketer of all time. He is widely regarded as one of the best cricketers in the world. He featured for the side from 1954 to 1974. He laid the foundation for the Caribbean nation that won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979. The greatest all-rounder scored 8,032 runs in Test cricket at an impressive average of 57.78.

His iconic innings of 365* against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual Test score for 36 years, a testament to his mastery. Sobers was more than just an amazing batsman; he was a bowler to match, claiming 235 victims to his left-armers, taking wickets with offspin, legspin, and medium pace – the audacious admixture that encapsulated his genius. Gary Sobers still stands acknowledged as one of the greatest Test cricketers this game has seen, a cricketer whose exceptional talent and ability to turn a game on its head make him a master on the field.

6. Sir Vivian Richards | West Indies | 1970s–1980s

Sir Vivian Richards was one of the most destructive batters of his era. The West Indies superstar had a different aura during his playing days. His aggressive attitude and ability to dominate bowlers helped the West Indies win many games. He had an amazing average of 66.51 with the bat in the red ball format. His aura during the 1970s to 1990s was different, which makes him one of the greatest Test players in the history of West Indies cricket.

His fearless attitude, matched by his terrific stroke play, proved a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. He wasn’t just playing the game; he was dictating the tempo with his dynamic style. In 1976, he scored 1,710 runs, setting the record for most runs in a calendar year at the time. His ability to dominate the finest bowlers of his period, frequently without a helmet, demonstrated his skill and consistency.

5. Sunil Gavaskar | India | 1970s-1980s

Sunil Gavaskar is one of the greatest Test players for India. He changed the dynamics of batting with his sensational technique, rock-solid defense, and fearless approach against the deadliest bowlers of his era. Without wearing a helmet, he set new benchmarks for consistency and resilience against the likes of Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall, and Andy Roberts.

Gavaskar made his debut in 1971 against the formidable West Indies, and he startled the cricketing world with 774 runs, a record that still stands. It was his method, his tenacity, and composed brand of cricket against fearsome pace bowlers that defined his memorable career. For almost two decades, his 34 Test centuries were a world record, and an impressive indicator of his extraordinary talent and prowess at the crease. The former India captain is one of the greatest Test players in history.

4. Sir Donald Bradman | Australia | 1930s–1940s

Sir Donald Bradman, revered as "The Don," is not just a cricketing legend; he is a symbol of sporting excellence whose records have transcended generations. Born in 1908, Bradman made his Test debut for Australia in 1928, and what followed was sheer domination in the longest format of the game. He can be named as the greatest Test player of all time.

His career Test batting average of 99.94 is considered to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport. Bradman played 52 matches for the Aussies, scoring 6,996 runs, and his highest score in 334. He had 29 hundreds in his Test career, which was broken by the great Sunil Gavaskar. Bradman apart as one of the greatest Test players in history is not just his numbers, but his impact on the sport.

3. Virat Kohli | India | 2010s-2020s

Virat Kohli has been the greatest 50-over batter of all time. He is the ‘modern master’ of cricket; he sits at the top of the most ODI hundreds list. He has established himself as one of the most followed athletes in the world. Apart from limited-overs cricket, he has also made an exceptional mark in Test cricket. From 2017 to 2019, Virat Kohli dominated Test cricket with elegance, grit, and relentless consistency.

His outstanding efforts during this time earned him a berth on the ICC Test Team of the Year for three consecutive years. Between 2017 and 2019, Kohli scored nearly 3,500 Test runs at a staggering average of 64.61. He scored 14 Test hundreds during this time. Kohli's attitude to Test cricket during these years was characterised by discipline and a desire for runs. Under his captaincy, India achieved its first-ever series win in Australia in 2018–19 and dominated world cricket. The former India captain on Monday retired from the longest format of the game. But he remains the greatest Test player in history. Even the greatest Test bowler of this era, Jimmy Anderson, while talking to Talk Sport he said, “Virat Kohli is one of the greatest Test batters that's ever been”, which defines his class and what kind of player he was in Test cricket.

2. Ricky Ponting | Australia | 2000s–2010s

Ricky Ponting was one of the best cricket players in the world. He was a fantastic batter of his era. The former Australian skipper is the only captain to win the ICC ODI World Cup twice in his career. He transformed the Australian side into a beast in Test cricket, and they were unbeaten. The most consecutive cricket Test match victories is 16, and was achieved by Australia twice, firstly from 14 October 1999 to 27 February 2001 and most recently from 26 December 2005 to 2 January 2008. In the second stint, Ponting was the captain.

He has amassed by scoring over 27,000 international runs and is considered one of the game’s greats because of his aggressive captaincy and outstanding batting. In the 2000s, he transformed the Test into his dominant area and scored the most runs in the traditional format. Ponting featured in 168 Test matches, where he scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85, including 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. Thus making him rank as one of the greatest Test players of all time.

1. Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1990s–2000s

Sachin Tendulkar is the best cricketer in the world of all time. The ‘God of Cricket’ had a career of 24 years, which is an impossible milestone for any cricketer to achieve. He has the record for scoring the most international hundreds to his name. The former India captain has scored 100 international centuries. Sachin played in 463 matches for India, showcasing unparalleled consistency, and scored 18,426 runs in ODI cricket.

His 51 Test centuries are also nearly impossible to achieve for any batter in modern-day cricket. Tendulkar still tops the chart for the most runs in international cricket, with more than 34,000 international runs, with over 15,000 runs coming in the longest format of the game. For 24 years, he faced the most terrifying bowlers the world could produce. His legacy in the Test circuit is unmatched, and he will go down in history as the master of a generation. This is the reason he is the greatest Test player of all time.