The 2010s was a transformative decade for cricket, marked by incredible records, fierce rivalries, and the rise of modern legends. From breathtaking centuries to match-winning spells, the sport witnessed some of its finest moments, courtesy of exceptional players who redefined excellence. The batters were learning new shots and the bowlers have had to develop deliveries such as the slower ball, slower ball bouncer etc. T20I Cricket had seen a boom in this decade and cricket became a billion dollar industry.

In this article, we highlight the Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of the 2010s, celebrating the icons who etched their names in cricketing history. Join us as we revisit their career-defining achievements and explore what made them stand out during this golden era of cricket.

Ideal for fans, analysts, and cricket enthusiasts alike, this list is backed by data-driven insight, ensuring you get an in-depth perspective on these legends.

Let’s look at the Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of the 2010s:

1) Virat Kohli – India

There is no doubt that the greatest cricketer of the 2010s is none other than Virat Kohli. He scored a total of 20,960 runs in the 2010s which was 5000 more runs than the number 2 player who is Hashim Amla. Virat Kohli has scored 70 Hundreds till the end of 2019. It was assumed that he would become the second ever player to make 100 international hundreds. During this decade, Virat Kohli was captain for 166 Matches. He had a staggering average of 66.88 as captain. His highest score was 254 runs which he scored against South Africa. Virat Kohli played 220 ODI innings in this decade and he made 50+ scores in 94 innings and 42 hundreds. During this decade, Virat Kohli got recognised as the King of Cricket.

Virat Kohli Stats (2010-2019)

2) Ellyse Perry – Australia

It would be unfair to not include the greatest women’s cricketer of all time and the best Women’s player of the 2010s by a landslide, Ellyse Perry. She is someone who is almost a level above anyone else. Ellyse Perry played 81 ODIs in this decade and her batting average was 66.12. Ellyse Perry has also taken 116 ODI Wickets and is the third highest wicket taker in women’s ODIs in the 2010s. Ellyse Perry had won 4 T20I World Cup titles with Australia and the 2013 ODI World Cup in the 2010s. The greatness of Ellyse Perry is that she has been able to carry this form in the 2020s.

Ellyse Perry Stats (2010-2019)

3) James Anderson – England

James Anderson was the best fast bowler in the 2010s in Test Cricket. He has taken more than 400 wickets in this decade and this was the most by any bowler. In the 105 times the ICC updated the Top 10 Bowlers in Test Cricket list , James Anderson was out of the Top 10 for only 2 times. James Anderson has taken 20 Five Wicket Hauls in this decade. He also has taken 40 Test Wickets or more for 9 years in the 2010s. James Anderson retired with more than 700 Test Wickets.

James Anderson Stats (2010-2019)

4) Steven Smith – Australia

When the decade started, Steven Smith was batting at number 8 for Australia. It was only in 2013 that Smith got an opportunity to bat higher up the order. He made the most of this opportunity. He scored an incredible 26 Hundreds in 66 Test Matches meaning more than 1 hundred in 3 Matches. He averaged 66.14 which was incredible. It was in this decade that he was banned for a year for ball tampering in 2018. He made a remarkable comeback in 2019 in the Ashes series. He loves batting against India as his average is 84.05. In ODIs he has an average of 52.72. Steven Smith has made 7 hundreds and he won the 2015 World Cup.

Steven Smith Stats (2010-2019)

5) Kane Williamson – New Zealand

At number 5 is the best batters New Zealand has seen and it is Kane Williamson. In 2016, Kane Williamson was appointed the captain of New Zealand cricket. He had led in 107 Matches since that time and he scored 5337 runs. New Zealand won 13 Matches in a row between 2017-2018 under his leadership. Kane Williamson has made more than 14000 in the 2010s and he was a part of the Fab Four of batting. He averaged 60 plus in 4 years and he scored a hundred in every country except South Africa. Kane Williamson came very close to winning the 2019 ODI World Cup and he was awarded the Player of the Tournament.

Kane Williamson Stats (2010-2019)

6) Hashim Amla – South Africa

Hashim Amla was the breakout player in the 2010s. In 2012, Hashim Amla became the first ever batter to hit a triple hundred for South Africa in Test Cricket. In 2010, Hashim Amla achieved the rare feat of making more than 1000 runs in both Test and ODI Cricket. He made 1249 runs in Test Cricket and 1058 runs in ODI Cricket. Hashim Amla made more than 15000 runs in the decade and he was only the second player to do so. In the 2017 IPL season, Hashim Amla made 2 centuries. He scored 25 half centuries in T20I Cricket in the decade.

Hashim Amla Stats (2010-2019)

7) Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka

Kumar Sangakkara had one of the greatest 2010s out of anybody. He was also a good player in the 2000s but it was the previous decade that he scored more than 12000 runs in the 224 international Matches that he played for Sri Lanka. In the 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cup, Kumar Sangakkara had an average of 100.60. In the 2015 World Cup, Kumar Sangakkara became the first batter in the history of ODI Cricket to have hit 4 consecutive hundreds in 4 Matches. Kumar Sangakkara hit 17 hundreds in Test Cricket in the 2010s. He had an average over 60 and he made 1000 runs in Test Cricket for 2 years in this decade.

Kumar Sangakkara Stats (2010-2019)

8) AB De Villiers – South Africa

AB De Villiers was a genius and the 2010s showed that to the whole world. He made 12850 runs for South Africa in 250 Matches in the 2010s. He smashed 34 hundreds and 67 half centuries in this decade. He was great in Test Cricket as well. He made a brilliant 278 while batting for 7 hours. He also hit a 75 ball hundred against India. One ODI innings in this decade stands out. It was against West Indies and AB De Villiers was in a different mode. He smashed 16 sixes and he hit 149 runs in just 44 balls. He smashed his hundred in 31 balls. He made a total of 20 hundreds in ODI Cricket at a great average of 64.20.

AB De Villiers Stats (2010-2019)

9) Dale Steyn – South Africa

Dale Steyn along with James Anderson were the two greatest fast bowlers of the 2010s. He took 267 wickets in Test Cricket in the decade at an average of 22.29. In 2010, Dale Steyn took 60 Wickets in Test Cricket and in 2013 he took 51 Wickets. In ODIs he played 90 ODI Matches for South Africa. He took 145 wickets in ODI Cricket in the 2010s at an economy Rate of 4.72 runs per over. Dale Steyn is now a commentator and he gives insights into fast bowling.

Dale Steyn Stats (2010-2019)

10) David Warner – Australia

David Warner is one of those cricketers who was a different type of player. He made a staggering 335* runs against Pakistan and thus enabled him to go past Don Bradman as far as runs in Australia in Test Cricket is concerned. He has a home average of 65.36 and he has hit 17 hundreds in Test Cricket in Australia. In the 2019 World Cup he made 641 runs at an average of 71.88. He was also banned from international cricket for a year from 2018. He has had to prove himself to the world his entire career. David Warner had made 41 hundreds in the 2010s which was the third highest.

David Warner Stats (2010-2019)