Cricket! It’s the only sport in the world that doesn’t have any haters. This game of bat and ball originated in England in the 16th century and gained lots of popularity over the years. Various teams give the best cricketers in the world, including India, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and more. It is a simple game in which two teams of 11 players will partake and play a match against each other. The squad that hits the most runs with minimum wickets will take the trophy to their home. Are you a sports freak, who loves to play and watch cricket? If yes, then now you have landed at the perfect blog. Here we will make a list of the 10 best cricket players in the world who are known for their indelible performance.
10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time
There are scores of players who are known for their remarkable performance. But here we shed light on the top 10 best cricket players in the world.
10) AB De Villiers
He is one of the best cricketers in the world who played for South Africa. Alongside Ab De Villiers is also one of the best fielders in cricket of all time and Played as a wicket-keeper, batsman, and fielder. When we shed light on the records held by him then De Villiers hit the fastest 50 runs just in 16 balls, 100 in 31, and 150 (64 balls) in one-day internationals.
Career Highlights
Debut: AB De Villiers played his international debut for South Africa in 2004
Test matches: hit 8,000 runs in test matches, including 22 centuries.
ODI matches: Scored a total of 9,500 runs in ODI at an average of 53.50.
T20 matches: Known for explosive T20 innings in IPL and international matches.
Captaincy: Led South Africa in all formats.
Retirement: Took retirement from international matches in 2018.
9) Shane Watson
Another one of the most popular Cricketers and one of the most well-known cricket coaches in the world. He is an all-rounder Known for his versatility as both a powerful batsman and an effective seam bowler.
Career Highlights
Debut: Shane Watson played an international debut match for Australia in 2002.
Test matches: Hits 3,731 runs in 59 matches with 4 centuries.
ODI matches: Scored a total of 5,757 runs and took 168 wickets in 190 ODIs, with 9 centuries.
T20 matches: Played amazingly and scored 1,400 runs in T20Is and took 48 wickets.
World Cups: Key player in Australia’s 2007 and 2015 Cricket World Cup wins.
IPL stats: Played for Rajasthan Royals, RCB, and CSK, with standout performances in IPL 2018 final.
Retirement: Retired in 2016 from international cricket.
8) Wasim Akram
A former cricketer, coach, commentator, and the captain of the Pakistan team. This greatest cricketer of all time is known for his amazing gameplay and bowling speed. He is one of the greatest bowlers who delivers leg-arm fast bowls and is often reserved for the Sultan of swings.
Career Highlights
Debut Test Match: November 3, 1984, against New Zealand.
Debut ODI: November 31, 1984, against New Zealand.
Wickets in test and ODIs: Took 900 international wickets in all formats.
World Cup: Played a crucial role in Pakistan’s 1992 Cricket World Cup win.
IPL: Played for Kolkata Knight Riders (2008–2009) in the inaugural seasons.
Retirement: Retired from international cricket in 2003.
7) Brian Lara
He became the youngest captain at the age of 20 in 1990. Additionally, Brain Lara also holds the world record for the highest individual test score (400 not out) set against England in 2004. Besides this record, he won ICC Player of the Year in 1999. Leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest batsmen.
Career Highlights
Test Debut: Made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1990.
Test record: Hits a total of 11,953 runs in Test cricket, including 34 centuries.
ODI matches: Scored 10,405 runs in ODIs, with 19 centuries.
West Indies Captain: Led the West Indies as captain in various formats.
Retirement: Retired from international cricket in 2007.
6) Ricky Ponting
Pointing is one of the most talented cricketers in the world and led team Australia as one of the successful captains. He also added several series victories to his team.
Career Highlights
International Debut: Test debut in 1995, ODI debut in 1996.
World Cup Victories: Captain of Australia’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning teams.
Test matches: Hits a total of 27,000 international runs in Test, including 71 centuries.
ODI matches: Scored 14,000 runs in ODI matches with 27 centuries.
Captaincy: Became Australia’s captain in 2004, leading to numerous series wins.
Retirement: Took retirement in 2012 from international cricket.
5) Sourav Ganguly
When we discuss the best cricket players in the world all the time then Sourav Ganguly is known for his memorable shirt-waving celebration at Lord’s. He is a player who played a key role in the rise of Indian cricket during the early 2000s.
Career Highlights
Debut: Played first international match in 1991 against England.
ODI matches: Hit more than 11,000 runs with 22 centuries in one-day internationals format.
Test matches: Scored 7,000 runs with 16 centuries in Tests.
Captaincy: Led India to the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Retirement: Retired from international cricket in 2008.
4) Jacques Kallis
A broad-shouldered man who plays cricket for South Africa. He was the person who claimed over 270 wickets in one-day internationals and was awarded the ICC Player of the Year in 2005.
Career Highlights
Test Debut: 1995 against England.
ODI Debut: 1996 against the West Indies.
Test matches: Scored over 13,000 runs in Test matches with 45 centuries and also took more than 290 wickets.
ODI matches: Accumulated over 11,000 runs in One Day Internationals.
World Cup: Part of the team South Africa in 1996 and 2003.
Retirement: Retired from international cricket in 2014.
3) Virat Kholi
He is also known as King Kohli and He is one of the best cricket players in India. Virat is famous for his dashing looks and impressive gameplay. In 2018 he became the first player to score 2,500 runs in a calendar year across formats.
Career Highlights
Debut: Virat Kohli played his international debut in 2008 in ODIs against Sri Lanka.
Centuries: Scored 76 international centuries, including 27 Test and 49 ODI centuries.
Records: Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.
Captaincy: Led India to numerous victories as a Test and ODI as a captain.
World Cup: Part of the Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.
Awards: Received the ICC ODI Player of the Year and ICC Player of the Year awards multiple times.
2) M.S. Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known as Thala for a reason. He is one of the best wicket-keepers and best cricketers in India. Dhoni captained team India in 2011 to win the ICC Cricket World Cup. Led India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, and more. In 2008 he also won the IPL with CSK and was awarded in 2009 with the ICC ODI player of the year. By getting this much success he became the best cricketer in the world.
Career Highlights
International Debut: 2004, against Bangladesh.
Captaincy: Led India to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Test Retirement: Retired from Test cricket in 2014.
Limited Overs: Known for his cool demeanor and successful captaincy in ODIs and T20Is.
World Records: Holds records for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in ODIs and T20Is.
Retirement: Took retirement from international cricket in 2020.
1) Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is popular for his exciting gameplay by which he becomes one of the best cricketers in the world. Alongside he also got the title of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. He won the Arjuna Award and Bharat Ratna in 1994 and 2014 respectively.
Career Highlights
International Debut: Sachin Tendulkar played his debut test match against Pakistan in 1989
First Century: 1990, 119* vs. England
ODI Debut: Played One Day International debut in 1989, against Pakistan
100th Century: 2012, against Bangladesh
ODI matches: Hit over 18,426 runs in ODIs.
Test matches: Scored more than 15,000 runs in Test.
200 in a Test Innings: 2010, against South Africa
World Cup: Part of an Indian Team in the 2011 World Cup and won the match.
Retirement: Took retirement in 2013, from international cricket
Let’s Review the 10 Best Cricket Players in the World
With the help of this blog from Sachin Tendulkar to AB De Villiers, readers will get to know about the best cricketers in the world. All the above-mentioned cricket players have left an indelible mark on this sport by showcasing skills and contributing significantly to their teams. Each of them has a unique story and legacy, reflecting the rich and diverse nature of cricket.
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