Ranking the top 5 batters with the best defence at present

In cricket, the technique of defence is of prime importance and it pretty much defines how a career shapes up going in the long run. The likes of Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Don Bradman, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara among others are known for their near-flawless batting technique. The bowlers, therefore, had to sweat it out to get under their skins. Some batters go by the copybook, while a few resorts to their own unique style of batting. Test cricket has become dynamic in recent times and having a strong defence has become crucial, to say the least. The pitches aren’t as easy to bat on as it was even 10 years ago. Matches have ended inside five days quite a few times. And the batsmen with good defence have survived the rigours. It’s also a reason why they are being deemed as the best in the business and teams have depended on them heavily. In the article, let’s take a look at five players with the best defence at present 5. Kraigg Brathwaite Kraigg Brathwaite of the West Indies bats. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite is someone, who shows an immense amount of patience and hardly goes for outrageous strokes. The 28-year-old might not have played a single T20 thus far in his career, but the value he brings to the other two formats with his batting is unparalleled. He likens his batting style to the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was the epitome of grit and courage. In 68 Tests until now, Brathwaite has scored 4113 runs with nine centuries and 21 half-centuries. Back in March, the Barbados-born notched 237 runs in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Though he played at a strike rate of 35.16, it made sure that the hosts ended the matches unscathed. It’s also pertinent to note that he is more than a handy bowler with 21 Test wickets. 4. Steve Smith Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Getty Images) From 2018 to 2019, there was a time when Steve Smith didn’t get to play Test after the infamous ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. Not only did he lose his no.1 rank, but also his credentials following his sacking as the national captain. However, in the 2019 Ashes, he got back his top position and showed his class despite missing a match due to a concussion after copping a blow off Jofra Archer. After making his Test debut back in 2010, Smith’s career has only seen an upward trend. In 77 Tests, he averages a stunning 61.80 with 27 tons and 31 fifties to his name. He doesn’t go by the copybook and has his own special quirks while batting. But despite shuffling around, he possesses a rock-solid defence. The 31-year-old has played cricket all over the world and his numbers are worth envying. 3. Kane Williamson Kane Williamson. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images) Kane Williamson doesn’t play the booming strokes by any means. Rather, he prefers to pierce the gaps and manoeuvre the field with his versatile gameplay. The Tauranga-born goes about his business in a silent manner without caring about the limelight. After making his debut in 2010, the veteran not only grew as the New Zealand skipper but also groomed himself into one of the best with the bat. In 83 Tests, Kane has notched 7115 runs at an average of 54.31 with 24 centuries and 32 fifties. In the last five months, the right-hander had scores of 251 and 238, showing his potential with the willow. If he gets his eyes in, then oppositions find it tough to dislodge him. Despite being deemed as a circumspect batter, Williamson has gotten nearly 5,300 runs in T20s at a strike rate of 125.55. 2. Dimuth Karunaratne Dimuth Karunaratne. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images) Dimuth Karunaratne has been a fulcrum of the Sri Lankan batting unit for quite some time. The southpaw has led his side efficiently and his performances with the bat haven’t gone down by any stretch of the imagination. Though the Islanders have tended to underperform, the left-hander has kept scoring runs for his team. More often than not, he puts his head down and guides his team. In the recent two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Karunaratne smashed 428 runs in only three innings with two centuries. His top score of 244 came in the opening Test at Pallekele. In 72 Tests, the 33-year-old has scored 5176 runs with 12 tons and 26 fifties. Dimuth knows the art of taking responsibility and his defence is tough to breach. Captaincy has made him a much better batsman. 1. Cheteshwar Pujara Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Cheteshwar Pujara was deemed to be an apt replacement for Rahul Dravid in India’s Test middle-order. With the task of filling the massive boots. Pujara hasn’t let his team down. With over 16,000 first-class runs, the Saurashtra batsman, at times, has been a nightmare for bowlers. The 33-year-old has the potential of wearing opposition attacks down with his unreal patience and determination. In 85 Test matches, he has scored 6244 runs at an average of 46.59 with 18 tons and 29 fifties. At times, he has had to face criticism for playing cautiously against the needs of the team. In the 2020-21 tour of Australia, Pujara copped a number of blows on his body, but he held his ground instead of going into his shell. The fact that he has played county cricket in England has refurbished his skills as well.

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Ranking the top 5 batters with the best defence at present

It’s also a reason why the below-mentioned batters are being deemed as the best in the business.

4. Steve Smith

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