5 Leading run scorers in 2018 so far in Tests

2018 has been an interesting year as far as Test cricket is concerned. The trend of home teams dominating the bilateral series' was kept intact during the first half of the year. But the second half of the year saw some upsets in the form of England beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and New Zealand beating Pakistan at their home ground in UAE.

Although 2018 has not been an easy year for batsmen, there have been few exceptional performers who kept on scoring big for their respective countries. Let us take a look at 5 leading run scorers in Test matches during 2018 so far:

---

#5 FDM Karunaratne (736)

Karunaratne has been the best Sri Lankan batsman lately

Easily the most improved Test batsman during the last few years, Karunaratne has been a revelation for Sri Lanka. He has stood tall amongst the ruins of Sri Lankan batting. Karunaratne started off his Test career in an ordinary fashion, but, lately, he has been on a run-scoring spree.

While the rest of the Sri Lankan batting has struggled, Karunaratne has scored 736 runs from 15 innings in 2018 so far, at an average of 52.57 with 1 century and 7 fifties.

#4 Jos Butler (760)

Butler has made a strong comeback to Test cricket

Till recently, Jos Butler was considered to be a limited overs specialist. But he proved his distractors wrong and scored heavily for England during his comeback in the Test arena.

In 2018 so far, Butler has played 10 Test matches and he has scored 760 runs from 18 innings at an average of 44.70 with 1 century and 6 fifties.

#3 BKG Mendis (805)

Kusal Mendis had moderate success in 2018

Not so long ago, Kusal Mendis was touted as the next big thing in the Sri Lankan cricket. However, the right-hander has flattered to deceive. His performance has dwindled as the time has gone by.

Mendis had a reasonably good 2018 and till date, he has scored 805 runs in 2018 from 21 innings at an average of 40.25 with 2 centuries and 3 fifties.

#2 JE Root (948)

Joe Root has failed to convert his starts into big scores

Joe Root is considered to be one of the best batsmen of the current generation. His form has dwindled a bit lately. His inability to convert good starts into big scores has cost him a lot during recent times.

Though Joe Root has scored 948 runs in 2018 so far, these runs have been scored in 24 innings at a modest average of 41.21. Joe Root scored these runs with the help of 2 centuries and 6 fifties.

#1 Virat Kohli (1240)

Kohli has scored runs all over the world with supreme ease

The only batsman to score 1000 runs in 2018 so far, Virat Kohli has further enhanced his reputation as the best batsman in the world at the moment. Kohli scored almost 600 runs in England during 2018, which was a complete turnaround from his performance in 2014.

Kohli has scored 1240 runs in 2018 (so far) from 22 innings at an average of 56.36 with 5 swashbuckling centuries and 4 fifties.