The 2020s have brought significant changes to international cricket. From England's aggressive Bazball approach in Test matches to the growing influence of franchise T20 leagues, the game has continued to evolve across all three formats. The decade has also delivered memorable ICC tournaments, historic individual performances, and remarkable achievements from players representing different cricketing nations.
The greatest cricketers of the 2020s have combined individual excellence with match-winning contributions. Their performances in major ICC tournaments, overseas conditions, and important bilateral series make them stand out.
Here is our ranking of the top 10 greatest cricketers of the 2020s, based on individual performances, consistency, major tournament achievements, multi-format contributions, and overall influence on international cricket.
Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of the 2020s: Quick Overview
Rank | Player | Country | Primary Role | Major Achievement |
1 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | Fast Bowler | 2024 T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament |
2 | Pat Cummins | Australia | Fast Bowler/Captain | Led Australia to the 2023 WTC and ODI World Cup titles |
3 | Joe Root | England | Top-Order Batter | England's all-time leading Test run-scorer |
4 | Travis Head | Australia | Top-Order Batter | Match-winning performances in two 2023 ICC finals |
5 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | Top-Order Batter | Held the No. 1 ODI batting ranking for over 1,000 consecutive days |
6 | Virat Kohli | India | Top-Order Batter | Scored 765 runs at the 2023 ODI World Cup |
7 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Leg-Spin All-Rounder | Captained Afghanistan to the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals |
8 | Steve Smith | Australia | Top-Order Batter | Key contributor to Australia's WTC success |
9 | Rohit Sharma | India | Opening Batter/Captain | Captained India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title |
10 | Suryakumar Yadav | India | T20I Batter | Redefined aggressive middle-order T20 batting |
The Top 10 Greatest Cricketers in 2020s
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Role: Right-arm Fast Bowler
Decade Highlight: 2024 ICC T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament and 2024 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy winner.
Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as arguably the most complete fast bowler of the 2020s. His unusual bowling action, precise yorkers, deceptive slower deliveries, and ability to generate movement make him difficult to attack across formats.
His impact was particularly evident at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where he played a decisive role in India's championship campaign. Bumrah maintained an exceptional economy rate of approximately 4.17 runs per over throughout the tournament.
2. Pat Cummins (Australia)
Role: Right-arm Fast Bowler and Captain
Decade Highlight: 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup winner.
Pat Cummins has combined world-class fast bowling with outstanding leadership during the 2020s. His captaincy achievements place him among the most successful international leaders of the decade.
He guided Australia to the 2023 World Test Championship title, retained the Ashes in England, and led his team to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad.
3. Joe Root (England)
Role: Top-Order Batter
Decade Highlight: England's all-time leading Test run-scorer.
Root has scored more than 20 Test centuries during the 2020s, demonstrating remarkable consistency in different conditions. He also adapted to England's aggressive Bazball approach without abandoning the traditional batting techniques that made him successful.
In 2024, Root surpassed Alastair Cook to become England's leading Test run-scorer. His continued accumulation of runs has strengthened his position among the greatest Test batters of his generation.
4. Travis Head (Australia)
Role: Left-Handed Top-Order Batter
Decade Highlight: Player of the Match in the 2023 WTC and ODI World Cup finals.
His performances in the 2023 World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final were particularly memorable. Head scored match-winning centuries against India in both encounters, helping Australia secure two major ICC trophies in the same year.
5. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Role: Top-Order Batter
Decade Highlight: More than 1,000 consecutive days as the ICC's No. 1 ODI batter.
Babar Azam has been a central figure in Pakistan's batting lineup throughout the 2020s. Known for his balanced technique, timing, and ability to construct innings, he has delivered consistent performances across international formats.
His extended stay at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings reflects his remarkable consistency. Babar also played an important role in Pakistan reaching the 2022 T20 World Cup final.
6. Virat Kohli (India)
Role: Top-Order Batter
Decade Highlight: 2023 ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament and 2024 T20 World Cup champion.
His 2023 ODI World Cup campaign was exceptional. Kohli scored 765 runs, setting a new record for the most runs by an individual batter in a single edition of the tournament. He also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 49 ODI centuries.
Kohli finished his T20I career on a high by winning the Player of the Match award in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. His consistency, fitness standards, and performances under pressure make him one of the decade's defining players.
7. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Role: Right-Arm Leg-Spinner and All-Rounder
Decade Highlight: Led Afghanistan to their first T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024.
Rashid Khan has become one of the most influential players in international and franchise T20 cricket. His quick leg-spin, variations, and ability to contribute valuable runs lower down the order make him a genuine all-round threat.
His leadership was particularly important during Afghanistan's historic 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. Afghanistan defeated established teams, including Australia and New Zealand, before reaching their first-ever semi-final at an ICC T20 World Cup.
8. Steve Smith (Australia)
Role: Top-Order Batter
Decade Highlight: Important contributor to Australia's 2023 WTC triumph.
Steve Smith remains one of the most technically accomplished Test batters of his generation. His unusual batting technique, concentration, and ability to score heavily against quality bowling attacks have continued to make him valuable to Australia.
9. Rohit Sharma (India)
Role: Opening Batter and Captain
Decade Highlight: Captained India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.
Rohit Sharma transformed India's white-ball batting approach during the 2020s. His aggressive opening strategy encouraged the team to attack opposition bowling from the beginning rather than prioritising a cautious start.
His leadership also produced several major ICC final appearances. India reached the 2023 World Test Championship final and the 2023 ODI World Cup final before winning the 2024 T20 World Cup under his captaincy.
Although India finished as runners-up in the first two tournaments, Rohit's eventual T20 World Cup triumph became a defining achievement of his international career.
10. Suryakumar Yadav (India)
Role: Middle-Order T20 Batter
Decade Highlight: 2022 ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year.
His exceptional strike rate and ability to score boundaries against different types of bowling have established him as one of the leading T20I batters of the decade.
Suryakumar's influence extends beyond individual performances. He has demonstrated how creative shot selection and calculated aggression can reshape middle-order batting in modern T20 cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best Test cricketer of the 2020s?
Joe Root has been among the most productive Test batters of the decade. His exceptional run-scoring consistency and record as England's leading Test run-scorer make him a leading candidate.
Who is the best bowler of the 2020s?
Jasprit Bumrah is a strong choice for the decade's best bowler. His performances across all three formats, exceptional bowling control, and impact at the 2024 T20 World Cup distinguish him from his contemporaries.
Which captain has achieved the most success in the 2020s?
Pat Cummins stands out for leading Australia to the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles, alongside retaining the Ashes in England.
Who scored the most runs in a single ODI World Cup during the 2020s?
Virat Kohli holds the record with 765 runs at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
