Shivnarine Chanderpaul picks these four as the best batsmen in the era

One of the most underrated cricketers of all time, Shivnarine Chanderpaul never really got the appreciation he deserved for his phenomenal services. Yet, a fact that can never be disregarded is he was a champion in his own rights. The former Windies skipper had his say in the eternal debate on who the best batsman is in this generation.

Unsurprisingly, he picked four batsmen as the best in the era. Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson, according to Chanderpaul, are the best batsmen in the current generation and the versatility they show is simply outstanding. In a candid chat with PakPassion, he singled out these four players as the best in the modern day cricket.

“You have to look at Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Joe Root but it’s very difficult to single one of them out as the best. They all bat in different conditions and I rate them all very highly. These guys shine in all conditions against all opposition and are the stand-out batsmen of the modern era,” Chanderpaul said.

Nothing to debate or add

There’s no way anyone can argue with the Caribbean legend’s assessment. All these four players are captains across all formats for their national side barring Joe Root, who leads England only in Tests. All these players are in the top 10 of ICC rankings for batsmen across all formats and this explains categorically why these players are being rated as the best.

The second-highest run scorer in Windies Test cricket history, Chanderpaul fell agonizingly short of Brian Lara’s Tests aggregate of 11,953 runs. Chanderpaul, who reamains the only cricketer to have played over 150 Tests for West Indies, finished his career with 11,867 runs, 86 runs short of his former companion’s tally.

The ICC player of the year award winner in 2008 hung up his boots in January 2016. Widely regarded as a taylor-made cricketer for Tests, his contribution for his national side have been indispensable and the 43-year-old is currently enjoying his post-retirement life.