Top 5 run-scorers in Tests in 2018 So Far

There has been quite a resurgence of Test cricket this year as it has provided some captivating contests, proving its real value to the younger generation.

The recently concluded Pataudi series proved to be a great advertisement for Test cricket as both the teams provided some exquisite contests. With the teams now opting to dominate in home conditions by preparing favourable pitches, the batsmen, especially from the visiting team, have been found wanting on most occasions. Run-scoring has become very difficult for the travelling batsmen these days. In some cases, the batsmen from the home team are also struggling because of the quality of the bowlers from the opposition and the playing conditions. The perfect example for this situation is When India lost by an Innings in Pune last year against Aussies falling in their own spin trap.

Some have succumbed to the difficult playing conditions while few players have stood out and performed admirably and instilled hope in their respective teams through quality contributions. In this slideshow, we will look at some of the batsmen who have been consistently performing right from the start of this year.

Here are the leading run-getters of 2018 so far:

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#5 Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis is expected to fill the void left by the retirement of legends Sangakkara and Mahela

Kusal Mendis is often touted to be the successor of the Retired Great Mahela Jayawardene. Kusal had started this year in red-hot form scoring 271 runs in 3 innings at an average of 90.33 against Bangladesh in their own backyard. He then continued his good run of form in the West Indies against the hosts, where he scored 285 runs at an average of 47.50.

His form dipped considerably when Sri Lanka toured South Africa in July. He scored just 63 runs across 4 innings at 15.55 during the tour. In 7 matches he played this year, he has scored 619 runs at an average of 47.61, including 2 centuries with the highest score of 196 against Bangladesh.

He currently stands at the 5th position in the list of top run-scorers in Tests across the world this year.

#4 AB de Villiers

AB Devilliers announced his retirement this year from International Cricket

AB De Villiers shocked the entire world when he announced his retirement from International Cricket earlier this year. His decision was perplexing because the World Cup was just a year away and he was supposed to be the mainstay of the South African batting Lineup.

He has played two Test series this year and scored 638 runs in 7 matches at an average of 53.16 with 1 hundred and six half-centuries. He single-handedly denied India their first Test series victory in South Africa, by playing match-winning knocks in the first 2 Tests of the 3-match series earlier this year.

He stands at the 4th position among leading run-getters right now.

#3 Aiden Markram

The future of South African Cricket

The South African prodigy has had a roller coaster year so far. He started this year with a below average performance against India, scoring at an average of 23.33 and managing just one fifty-plus score. He managed to come back into form in the series against Australia later in the year where he managed to score 480 runs at an impressive average of 60 including 2 centuries.

Subsequently, in July he had a horrific series in Sri Lanka where he scored a dismal 40 runs in 2 matches, continuing the tradition of foreign batsmen's troubles in the sub-continent.

He is at the 3rd place among top run scorers with 660 runs in 9 matches this year at an average of 36.66.

#2 Joe Root

Joe Root celebrates his hundred against India

Present England captain Joe Root has been one of the most consistent batsmen in Test Cricket over the last few years. But this year Root has not set the stage on fire with his batting as he has struggled to convert starts into substantial innings.

He scored 6 fifties this year at the time of the end of the fourth Test against India but failed to convert them into big knocks. He scored his lone century this year at the tail end of the recently concluded Pataudi series.

He has scored 719 runs in 10 matches so far this year at an average of 42.29 and stands second in this list.

#1 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli acknowledging applause after scoring a century

No surprises here. The best batsman in the world is the highest run-getter so far this year. This year Virat has played in two Test series, in England and South Africa respectively. He emerged as the top run scorer in both the series where batsmen from either side struggled to score runs under some hostile batting conditions.

On his way to greatness, Virat Kohli successfully banished the demons from the 2014 series by scoring runs in England against the likes of Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Stokes.

He scored a whopping 879 runs from 8 matches at an average of 54.93 with 3 centuries to his name. He will look to pile on the existing runs as India are set to face depleted West Indies at home in October. Given his form, he is the favourite to finish as the top runscorer this year.