Test cricket is not about noise but resilience... where the ball asks questions, and the batsman must respond with patience. At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the fifth Ashes Test, Joe Root did just that. No rush, no showboating, just a mature Test innings... holding firm against good bowling, shifting gears when needed, standing tall for hours—this innings explains why Joe Root remains the most reliable name for big moments.
This was not just another century; it was the latest answer to the perennial question—who is the best Test batsman of the current time?
If we remove emotions and take this debate to the court of numbers, the verdict becomes apparent.
To identify the best current Test batsman, we looked at all Test matches played from January 1, 2024, to January 6, 2026. During this period, Joe Root's dominance shines on two fronts—run consistency and the ability to turn them into big scores.
Root's Stats (2024-2026)
- 28 Tests, 50 innings
- 2,521 runs
- 56.02 average
- 11 centuries
- 6 half-centuries
These figures show that the 35-year-old Root is not only scoring consistently but also contributing match-defining innings. Among current players, no one offers such a balanced and formidable package.
Strong Contenders, But Still Behind
Looking at batting averages, Shubman Gill appears closest in this race. With 1,849 runs, a 54.38 average, and 8 centuries, it signals promising potential, but Root's consistency remains superior.
Harry Brook isn’t far behind in terms of runs, but there’s a slight gap in conversion. He amassed 1,955 runs with an average of 51.44, bagging 6 centuries and 8 half-centuries. Root, however, translates his chances into centuries more often.
Kane Williamson has demonstrated his excellent class of batting. His 57.04 average speaks to his quality, but having played only 12 Tests during this period weakens his presence in this comparison.
Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves a mention. During this period, he scored 2,223 runs in 48 innings across 25 Tests, the second most after Root. His highest score being an unbeaten 214... suggests high potential, but his average stands at just 48.32, so he isn’t yet in a position to challenge Root.
Travis Head’s impact is different. With a strike rate of 83.27, he changes the course of the match, but his average of 44.11 doesn’t put him in Root's category.
Steve Smith, Temba Bavuma, and Aiden Markram fall behind within this timeframe.
The numbers clearly indicate—Joe Root's claim to being the strongest in current Test cricket stands firm. He not only scores runs but also transforms them into big knocks and is reliable even in foreign conditions.
His 160-run innings at SCG is a fresh seal of this reality. When the going gets tough and a stabilizing innings is necessary, the first name that surfaces in today’s Test cricket is Joe Root.
A Batsman Who Values His Wicket
No fuss, no starry airs—Joe Root’s cricket is driven not by noise but by simplicity and discipline. His game is not about flair but about crafting every run with effort. Root meticulously understands the value of his wicket, staying away from unnecessary risks and shaping his innings according to the situation. Regardless of how much pressure bowlers apply, he holds on to patience, and this composure is what sets him apart. When such a batsman remains at the crease, it’s not just the team that gains stability, but
