5 highest run scorers in Tests in 2017

Test cricket is always considered the ultimate test of any cricketer's skill temperament and adaptability. Sometimes players are successful in the limited overs formats, but not so in the Test Matches. Patience, discipline and high levels of fitness are extremely important to maintain the same level of concentration for 5 days. It is thus only the best players who are able to make their mark at the test level.

With pitches around the world rarely assisting the bowlers batsmen have been making merry and 2017 was no different. Runs were scored at will and records were broken. Are there any surprises in the top 5?

Here is a list of the top 5 run getters in Tests in 2017

#5 Dinesh Chandimal

Dinesh Chandimal on his way to his century against Pakistan.

This elegant right hander from Sri Lanka has always shown a lot of potential but has not been able to turn it into match winning performances till now. However, he managed to dispel that notion with some eye-catching performances in 2017.

He ended the year with 1003 runs in 12 matches, scoring his runs at an average of 45.59. He scored a marathon innings of 155 against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi batting for a record 9 hours. His innings enabled was instrumental in securing Sri Lanka's victory over Pakistan. Ever since he took over the captaincy he has gone from strength to strength. He also became the fastest Sri Lankan to score 10 centuries in just 80 innings.

He will be hoping to score even more in 2018.

#4 Dimuth Karunaratne

Karunaratne on his way to 196 against Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne is a compact left-handed batsman from Sri Lanka, another alumnus of the St Joseph's College side that produced Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. After the retirement of the stalwarts of Sri Lankan cricket he has emerged as one of the leaders of the young crop of cricketers who are stepping into the massive shoes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

2017 was his breakout year, with him scoring 1039 runs at the top of the order with three hundreds and four fifties.He scored a career high 196 against Pakistan in the day and night Test held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

He would be hoping to continue his good run in 2018 as well.

#3 Virat Kohli

The run machine- Virat Kohli.

The only surprise in Virat Kohli appearance in this list is that he is not at the top.

Virat Kohli has played the fewest number of Test innings of anyone in the top 5, with 16. He has scored 1059 Test runs in the calendar year. However, his most impressive statistic is that he scored six 50+ scores this year and has converted five of them into Test hundreds. On top of that he has converted five of them into double hundreds with a highest score of 243 on his home ground Delhi against Sri Lanka.

He has scored his runs at a strike rate of 76.24 - astounding at the Test level.

Virat Kohli has dominated 2017, and would be hoping for similar results in 2018 as India travels to Australia, South Africa and England.

#2 Dean Elgar

South African opener Dean Elgar

A left-handed opening batsman Dean Elgar has become a mainstay of the South-African batting line up in recent years. After being in and out of the Test side, he cemented his place as an opener after the retirement of erstwhile captain Graeme Smith.

He performed wonderfully in 2017, scoring 1097 runs at a wonderful average of 54.85. He scored a career high 199 against Bangladesh before being dismissed agonizingly short of his first double hundred.

He would be looking to continue his wonderful form and score runs in 2018 as well.

#1 Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara in action.

Cheteshwar Pujara has made India's number 3 position after the retirement of the great Rahul Dravid. Although replacing 'The Wall' is practically impossible, Pujara has been able to carve out his own place in the heart of all Indian cricket fans.

He has an old-fashioned approach to Test cricket. With his solid technique he likes to occupy the crease for long periods of time. Pujara bats as his life depends on it, rarely does he throw his wicket away.

He scored 1140 runs this calendar year at a wonderful average of 67.05. He also played India's longest innings in terms of balls faced when he made a 525 ball 202 against the Australians in Ranchi. After batting for all 5 days in the Test match against Sri Lanka at Kolkata, he became only the third Indian to achieve this feat.

Pujara is currently at the top of his batting form and he would be looking to make the most of it in 2018.