Ranking the top 10 Indian batsmen of the 21st century

India has always produced world class batsmen. In fact, the Indian team can't exist without great batsmen and right from Farookh Engineer to Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli. Every generation has produced legends of the game.

The 21st century has produced top-notch Indian batsmen in abundance. India has a rich flow of talent at present, and the competition is so tight that even players like Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey, aren't even a part of the squads.

However, this is due to players with inhumane skills and in this article, we shall rank the top 10 Indian batsmen of the 21st century.

#10 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is a destructive batsman and easily the most aggressive on his day. He is a key figure in the present Indian team and is a part of the famed top 3, that India boasts of. He is a treat to watch when, he is in full rhythm. He is the only batsman to have scored more than 2 double centuries in ODI's, with 3. His highest score of 264 is unparalleled.

He has amassed 3 centuries in T20Is and is joint highest, along with Colin Munro. Currently, he is vice-captain of the limited over teams and has been a part of the team since, a long time. He has played 301 matches for India, in which he has batted 306 times. He has scored 10956 runs at an average of 42.63 for his country.

#9 Gautam Gambhir

He is one of the best 'big game players' of his generation without a doubt. He has often gone under the radar in his successful career and even his efforts in 2 of India's biggest triumphs in the 21st century, have gone under the radar.

He scored a splendid 97 in the World Cup final when India was losing wickets in a hurry. However, it is Dhoni's 91* that is remembered. Without Gambhir, a victory might have been impossible. He also scored 75 in the World T20 Final and once again, stood up in a high-pressure game.

His consistency is also admirable and formed one of the most prolific opening partnerships in the history of Indian cricket, with Virender Sehwag. He amassed 10324 runs in 283 innings at an average of 38.95.

#8 VVS Laxman

He is a legend of the game and was often the crisis man for India. 'Very Very Special' played some sublime knocks in his glittering career. A batsman who could bat it out for days and tire out bowlers, he had the ability to block, block, block and block, till the bowler bowled a loose delivery.

The Hyderabad born player will always be remembered for his glorious knocks against the invincible Australians. Many of his great innings came against them and the best one without a doubt is the 281 in Kolkata. He scored 11119 runs in 308 innings at an average of 41.64.

#7 Yuvraj Singh

He was a beast during his prime and tormented bowling attacks. In his prime, he was perhaps, more destructive than MS Dhoni and is one of the few batsmen to have hit 6 sixes in an over. The fact that he did it in a World T20 game, just shows his ability to perform at the grandest stage.

He was at the heart of both, the World Cup and World T20 victories. He isn't just a batsman but also a mightily effective bowler and won the teams game with both facets of the Gentleman's Game. The all-rounder is definitely, one of the most popular Indian cricketers of all time. He scored a staggering 11686 runs in 388 innings at an average of 34.98.

#6 Virender Sehwag

A great human being off the field but the most explosive batsman for India in many years. He succeeded in every format of the game and his consistency was superb when a person considers that, he used to attack everything in sight. Yet, he had a better average in Test matches which confuses many people.

He played a lot of great innings and was the first Indian to hit a triple century in Test matches. In fact, he has 2. He was the second batsman to score a double century in ODI's and notched up 219. 'Nawab of Najafgarh' scored 16892 runs in 431 runs at an average of 40.6 for India.

He might be remembered for his centuries and doubles and triples, but 1 innings that every true cricket fan recalls is his demolition of Umar Gul in the World Cup semi-final of 2011.

#5 MS Dhoni

The best wicket-keeper, best finisher and an inspirational leader, is what MSD is. He was one of the best finishers in his prime and even now, he does deliver a few scintillating performances. He is a great batsman and dragged India out of many pressure situations.

His most famous knock is the 91 against Sri Lanka in the World Cup final. He is a calm and composed player and has chipped in with loads of cameos at the end of an innings, to help India to a good score. He has scored 16362 runs in 502 innings at an average of 44.34.

#4 Sourav Ganguly

He is perhaps, the first captain to have instilled fearlessness in the Indian team. He was the captain of a new look Indian team at the start of the century and by 2005-06, he ensured that India was a force to be reckoned with. Captaincy aside, he formed one of the greatest opening partnerships in cricketing history with Sachin Tendulkar.

He is one of the all-time ODI greats and his attacking approach is what made him a good batsman. He scored 18433 runs in 485 innings at an average of 41.42.

#3 Rahul Dravid

One of the most patient batsmen of his generation, Rahul Dravid hardly played false shots. He is known for his solid technique and is often referred to as the 'The Wall'. His consistency is brilliant and concentration levels unparalleled. His glorious flicks and cover-drives are a treat to watch and take us back to the old days.

He could bat for long periods of time without giving the opposition a single chance to dismiss him. This statement takes us to the Adelaide Test match in 2003, where he batted for ages and helped India to a memorable victory. He scored runs all around the globe and his ability to not give his wicket away cheaply is a hallmark of his batting.

He was dismissed for a duck on just 20 occasions in 599 innings and in the same time, he scored 24064 runs at a splendid average of 45.57.

#2 Virat Kohli

Without a doubt the best batsman of the decade, this phenomenon has taken his game to the next level. He is a notch above the rest and even a score of 40-50 is a failure for the man. His conversion rate is fantastic and the difference between the number of half-centuries and centuries for him is just 23.

He has been primed as the one to overtake Sachin's record of 100 centuries and is on the right track with 62. His cover-drives are the best in the world and one can watch them for hours together. The Indian skipper is the most prized wicket in a team and he has already scored 18632 runs in 389 innings at an astonishing average of 56.46.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

The greatest batsman in the history of cricket, Little Master was truly a master in scoring runs. He scored runs all around the globe and he had the technique to conquer any situation. He could play like VVS Laxman and be rock solid in his approach, or be play the role of a swashbuckler like Virender Sehwag.

His punches off the back-foot are mesmerizing and he holds innumerable records. Most runs, most centuries, most half-centuries, first double century in ODI cricket, most Man Of the Match Awards. Phew! It is an impossible task for a human being to be able to write down all his records.

Moving on, a few of his most glorious knocks came against rival teams, Pakistan and Australia. His century at WACA in Perth in 1992, as a teenager still lives in the heart's of every cricket fan. His 75 ball 98 against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup is very fresh in our mind and it seems like it happened yesterday.

The reason for his inclusion ahead of Kohli shouldn't surprise a lot of people, and if there was a doubt, he is on top because of the quality of bowlers faced. He had to face bowlers like McGrath, Wasim Akram and Shane Warne whereas, there are very few bowlers who can be compared with them.

The God of Cricket has scored 34357 runs in 782 innings at an average of 48.52 and is greatness personified.

Honorable mentions: Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara