Best batsman from each international team (2015-2018)

Cricket was long back considered as a balanced game for both batsmen and bowlers. But, cricket has certainly undermined the role of bowlers in the recent decades, thus giving batsmen an upper edge due to some inherent flaws in the rules of the games, which has drastically shifted the balance of the game. One-Day-International(ODI) cricket has changed so much in the last decade or so that it's virtually a different ball game compared to the era before the 90s and the early days of ODI cricket. The par score in an inning has changed dramatically and the average striker rate of batsman has gone way up compared to the 80s and 90s.

Furthermore, due to the introduction of heavier bats and shorter boundaries, batsmen nowadays have become fearless and are not reluctant to go for big shots. This revolution has made batting easier than before and more interesting, which has let to some great batting performances.

Over the last three years, cricket has seen the emergence of many great batsmen, who have given many great performances for their team on a consistent basis and have pitched in whenever their team is in need.

Here are the best batsmen from the top-8 cricketing nations.

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#1 Steve Smith (Australia)

Smith is currently facing a 12-month ban from international cricket

The former Australian captain is currently facing a 12-month ban from international cricket, for his involvement in the "Ball Tempering Scandal''. Smith is being considered among the best batsman of the generation.

Smith is one of the main reasons for Australia's success in both limited over cricket and test cricket.

Smith started his international career as a leg-break bowler, but now he is one of the most attractive shot-maker in international Arena.

Smith had played an important role in the championship of 2015 World Cup, by playing some crucial innings for his team.

Smith has scored 3,341 runs in 108 ODI matches he played, in which he has eight centuries and he has 31 centuries in all three formats.

#2 Virat Kohli (India)

Kohli is captaining India in all three formats

The right-handed batsman, who is currently captaining Indian team, is regarded as the best batsman of the generation. He has captained Indian team to victory at the 2008 Under-19 World cup and made his ODI debut against Sri-Lanka In 2009. Initially, played as a reserved batsman, he has soon established himself as a regular member in the ODI middle-order and was part of the squad that won the 2011 World Cup.

Kohli has the second highest number of centuries and the highest number of centuries in run-chases. Kohli holds numerous Indian batting records including the fastest ODI century, the fastest batsman to 5,000 ODI runs and the fastest to 10 ODI centuries. Kohli has scored 9,558 runs in 208 ODI matches, in which he has 35 Centuries.

#3 Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Amla is the only South African Batsman to score 300 runs in a test inning

A flamboyant opener from South Africa is one of the most technically sound batsmen in the World. Amla has played many match winning knocks over the last few years and has emerged as one of the best batsmen in the recent times. He holds the record of the highest individual test score for any South African batsman (311* against England). Amla holds the record of scoring the fastest 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs in ODI.

Amla is also the first player to score a triple century in a test for South Africa. Amla has scored 7535 runs in 164 ODI matches he played. He also has 54 centuries in international cricket, which makes him the 7th highest century scorer in International cricket.

#4 Joe Root (England)

Root is considered among the best batsman for England

It is difficult to imagine a more fearsome batsman than Joe Root when in full flow. Root is considered among the best batsman to have played for England. Root is often been compared with the former England captain Michael Vaughan, for his batting style. He is one of the rare breeds of batsmen who have both the ability to bat an entire day and save a Test match, as well as play a blistering knock in a T-20 game when needed.

Root has scored most of his runs coming to bat at no. 3. England's Test captain has scored 4,800 runs in 116 ODI matches he played for England, in which he has 13 centuries. He has a total of 26 centuries in the international arena.

#5 Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

Tharanga is Sri-Lanka's consistent batsman

Over the past few years, cricket has seen the downfall of Sri-Lankan cricket, with the retirement of some veteran players like Sangakkara, Dilshan and Jayawardene. Upul Tharanga has emerged as the only player, giving performance consistently. After making debut for Sri-Lanka against West Indies in 2005, it took him some time to become a regular fixture in the team. Tharanga scored the second highest ODI score of 174* by a Sri Lankan only behind Sanath Jayasuriya.

Despite his low match participation, he has earned 13 centuries and 12 men of the match titles for his name throughout his international career. Tharanga has scored 6,780 runs in 223 ODI matches at an average of 34,47.

#6 Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Pakistan best modern day batsman

The 23-year old, right-hand batsman is regarded as Pakistan best modern day batsman. He captained the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team at the 2012 ICC Under-19 cricket World cup, and he is the current vice-captain for the Pakistan national team. Azam jointly holds the record for the fastest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs.

Azam currently has the highest average in T20Is by any batsman in the world. Azam has scored 1,867 runs in 44 ODI matches, Azam has seven centuries, which he completed in 33 innings, which is the fastest by any batsman in ODI.

#7 Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Most consistent batsman for Bangladesh

One of the most consistent batsmen for Bangladesh, over the past few years, Tamim Iqbal is the best opening batsman Bangladesh has ever seen. Iqbal has made his one-day debut for Bangladesh in 2007 and played his first Test the following year. Tamim has set up centuries in all three formats of the game and is also the first Bangladeshi to score 10,000 international runs.

Tamim was the highest run scorer at the 2016 ICC World Twenty-20 held in India. This included an unbeaten 103* against Oman in the group stages of the tournament. Tamim has scored 6,018 runs in ODI in which he has 9 centuries. He has total 18 centuries across all three formats

#8 Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Best Twenty 20 batsman ever

One of the most feared batsmen in the World, Gayle is one of the greatest batsmen in limited-overs cricket, also regarded as the best T-20 batsman ever. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of the game, particularly in Twenty-20. He is well known for hitting big sixes. He is one of the five players to score a double century in ODIs and also one of only four players who has scored two triple centuries at Test level.

Gayle had played an important role for West Indies in 2012 and 2016 T-20 World cup championship. He has scored 9,272 runs in 284 ODI matches, he played. He has a total of 40 international centuries.