The cricketing world has witnessed some remarkable performances in 2024, with several players making headlines for their incredible batting feats. Surprisingly, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is not among the top five century-makers this year. Instead, the spotlight is on players like Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, and Kane Williamson, who have set new records with their prolific scoring.
1. Joe Root
Leading the chart is former England captain Joe Root, whose bat has been in exceptional form throughout 2024. Root has accumulated an impressive four centuries in just 18 innings across 10 matches. His stellar performance includes a standout Test series against Sri Lanka, where he made significant contributions. Root’s consistency and ability to perform across different formats make him a top performer this year.
2. Kusal Mendis
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis is right behind Joe Root, with three centuries to his name so far this year. Mendis has featured in 17 matches and managed to score these centuries in 20 innings. His highest score this year has been an impressive 164 runs. Mendis’s form has been crucial for Sri Lanka, showcasing his talent and resilience at the crease.
3. Pathum Nisanka
Another Sri Lankan batsman making waves is Pathum Nisanka. Nisanka has also scored three centuries this year, but in 23 innings from 22 matches. His highest score stands at a remarkable 210 runs, highlighting his ability to convert starts into big scores. Nisanka’s performances have been a key factor in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup this year.
4. Rohit Sharma
Indian captain Rohit Sharma is at the fourth spot, having notched up three centuries in 25 innings across 20 matches. Sharma’s highest score this year is 131 runs. With upcoming series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia, Sharma has the opportunity to add more centuries to his tally and further establish his dominance in world cricket.
5. Kane Williamson
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson rounds out the top five with three centuries in 13 innings from 10 matches. Williamson’s highest score this year is an unbeaten 133 runs. Known for his calm and composed batting style, Williamson’s performances have been a beacon of consistency for New Zealand.
Key Insights
This year has been marked by extraordinary performances from these top batsmen, each of whom has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency. Joe Root’s leadership and batting prowess have been unmatched, while Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nisanka have made significant impacts for Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma’s form is crucial for India, and Kane Williamson continues to be a key player for New Zealand.
While Virat Kohli is not featured in this top-five list, the year is still ongoing, and there is plenty of cricket left to play. Kohli’s fans will be hopeful that he can make a comeback and add to his century tally as the year progresses.
As the cricketing calendar unfolds, these players’ performances will be watched closely, and their contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the cricketing landscape in 2024.