T20Is, ODIs and Test matches are the three current formats in international cricket.
On the other hand, bowlers need to go for wickets, but their attacking line and length shouldn't concede too many runs. Hence, thriving in ODIs isn't as easy as it might look. However, International cricket has witnessed numerous players who shone in this format and made the world hail them. There have been bowlers with a plethora of wickets in their cabinet while many batters have piled up a mountain of runs.
Regardless of the role, however, the primary purpose of a player is to take his side over the line. In the process, many have achieved individual milestones and earned the title of legend. Although many have thrived in the 50-over format, we'll look at the top 10 greatest players in One-Day Internationals.
Here we'll rank the top-10 greatest player in ODI history
10. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto/Getty Images) Hailed as the Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram was nothing short of a nemesis for batters during his career. Be it swinging the new ball, containing the run flow or upsetting batsmen with persistent yorkers and bouncers, the left-arm pacer showcased his prowess in every department. In fact, he was one of the first bowlers to learn the art of reverse swing.
The left-arm pacer running into bowl was a sight to behold, but his thunderbolts were never pleasant for batsmen. Now, who can forget his magical spell in the 1992 World Cup final against England, which took Pakistan to glory? Akram took three crucial wickets as the Men in Green defended 249 on a batting-friendly Melbourne track.
Well, that was one of the many match-winning performances which Akram delivered in his illustrious career. Furthermore, Akram maintained his sheen and bowled with the vigor throughout his nearly a two-decade-long career. If that's still not enough, the former Pakistan captain, at times, also contributed with his big-hitting lower down the order.
Career stats:
Matches - 356 | Wickets - 502 | Economy Rate – 3.9 | 5 wicket hauls - 6
9. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) The man of big occasions, Adam Gilchrist had to make this list. The southpaw was a vital cog of the Australian team which dominated world cricket in the 2000s. It won't be wrong to say that Gilchrist revolutionized the role of wicketkeeper-batsman as a keeper opening the batting wasn't a popular idea before his arrival.
However, breaking stereotypes and setting trends is what legends do, and Gilchrist also belongs to the same category. His attacking shots upfront disturbed the momentum of many bowling line-ups, and playing long knocks was also not beyond this reach. Moreover, all this time, his glovework behind the stumps was nothing but precise.
Notably, Gilchrist scored over fifty in finals of 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cup, taking Australia to glory every single time. This certainly shows that he enjoyed having responsibilities on his shoulders, and the same has earned him a place on this elite list.
Career stats:
Matches - 287 | Runs - 9619 | Average - 35.89 | 100/50 - 16/55 | Catches/ Stumpings - 417/55
8. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Now, this was as obvious as daylight! The most successful captain in international cricket, Ricky Ponting was a spectacular batsman and his way of marshalling his troops was one of a kind. Ponting liked to lead from the front, and delivering in crunch situations was a significant aspect of his game. Batting at number three in ODIs, the former Aussie captain tormented many bowling line-ups in his illustrious career.
Ponting's rock-solid defence allowed him to stay at the crease for long and his wide range of shots made bowlers' job even more difficult. Well, who can forget how he used to pull the ball towards the mid-wicket region? Riding on his prowess, Australia won one game after another, with Ponting shattering and making a plethora of records.
Not to forget, the star batsman was captain of the Australian team which ruled world cricket in the 2000s. Under his leadership, the Men in Yellow clinched two World Cup titles and as many Champions trophies. Ponting eventually bid farewell to international cricket in 2012, and bowlers worldwide breathed a sigh of relief.
Career stats:
Matches - 375| Runs - 13704 | Average - 42.04| 100/50 - 30/82
7. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) One talismanic captain is followed by another as we welcome former Indian skipper MS Dhoni next on this list. The dasher's contribution to Indian cricket is priceless, and his record speaks volumes of his prowess. Dhoni's hitting capabilities tormented bowlers, wicket-keeping prowess kept batters on their toes, and his on-field decisions left the cricket world in awe.
Before Dhoni's debut, India tried many wicket-keepers in Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik among many but no one could deliver as per expectations. However, the everlasting quest was ended when a long-haired guy from Jharkhand donned the India blue in 2004. He burst onto the scenes with his big-hitting and also earned accolades for his precised glovework.
He became a calculated hitter with time and earned the title of a 'best finisher.' Dhoni also proved to be a brilliant captain as he led the Men in Blue to three ICC titles, being the only skipper to achieve this feat. Now, what more can you expect from an individual.
Career stats:
Matches - 350 | Runs - 10773 | Average - 50.58 | 100/50 - 10/73 | Catches/ Stumpings - 321/123
6. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo Source: Twitter) Jayasuriya's rise in international cricket has been parallel to Sri Lanka's emergence as a cricket powerhouse. The southpaw started his career as a left-arm spinner who could chip in with crucial cameos lower down the order. However, everything changed in 1996 when Jayasuriya became an opener.
He took the world by storm with his big-hitting upfront, and many potent bowling line-ups became victim of his carnage. Jayasuriya's attacking approach gave Sri Lanka fiery starts regularly as they won one game after another. In fact, the swashbuckler's exploits at the top also played a crucial role in taking the Lankan Lions to the 1996 World Cup title.
Jayasuriya didn't look back after that and piled up a mountain of runs. Not to forget, the star cricketer also contributed with his left-arm spins all this time and delivered several match-winning spells. Notably, he is the only player to feature in the top 11 of leading wicket-takers and run-scorers in ODIs.
Career stats:
Matches - 445 | Runs - 13430 | Batting Average - 32.13| 100/50 - 28/68 | Wickets - 323 | Economy Rate - 4.79 | 5 wicket hauls - 4
5. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) Jayasuriya's partner-in-crime Muttiah Muralitharan also makes a cut in this illustrious list, and not many can raise their fingers. After all, the off-spinner is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the format. Muralitharan was nothing short of a nemesis for batters, and it was tough to predict where his mysterious deliveries would go.
The star bowler made the ball turn on the flattest of tracks, and his variations were the cherry on the cake. Muralitharan was certainly a captain's delight as he wouldn't give too many runs alongside taking wickets at regular intervals. One of the most important aspects of the spinner's game was understanding the situation, as he seemed to have a particular plan for every circumstance.
Riding on his prowess, Sri Lanka won several crucial games and became a force to reckon with. Although there have been some questions over the legality of his action, nothing can defy that Muralitharan foxed batsmen with his sheer brilliance.
Career stats:
Matches - 350 | Wickets - 534 | Economy Rate – 3.93 | 5 wicket hauls - 10
4. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter) The poster boy of modern-day world cricket, Virat Kohli is next on this list. The right-handed batsman has a massive appetite for runs, and his numbers are nothing short of extraordinary. Be it playing an anchor knock or smashing bowlers all over the park, there's hardly anything which Kohli can't be with the bat in hand.
However, the factor which separates Kohli from others is his staggering consistency. Regardless of the situation or condition, the talismanic cricketer scored runs and shattered many records. While Kohli has been brilliant throughout his career, captaincy seems to have made him even more daunting.
He likes to lead from the front, and handling pressure situations isn't beyond his reach either. Apart from his batting prowess, Kohli has also done a remarkable job leading the Indian troops. At 32, the star batsman still has a long way to go, and it's scary to think what more he'll achieve before hanging up his boots.
Career stats:
Matches - 254| Runs - 12169 | Average - 59.07 | 100/50 - 43/62
3. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Twitter) Arguably the best batsmen to have ever stepped onto the cricket field, AB de Villiers was certain to feature in this club. To say the least, the former South African captain played in a league of his own as he scored runs like no one else did and that too with consistency.
Literally, no delivery was good enough when De Villiers was on song and he somehow would find a way to score runs. While he could play proper cricketing shots like drive, cut and pull, his ability to ramp or sweep the ball dismantled the morale of many players. The same earned him the title of 'Mr. 360.'
In fact, the swashbuckler also holds the record of smashing the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in international cricket. Not to forget, De Villiers did a commendable job leading his national team and also didn't mind donning the gloves at times. Owing to these facts, De Villiers holds third place in this list.
Career stats:
Matches - 228 | Runs - 9577 | Average - 53.5 | 100/50 - 25/53
2. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) Having played international cricket in four decades, Tendulkar just didn't pile a mountain of runs but inspire generations. With his sheer determination and firm self-belief, the 5.5 ft guy from Dadar gave nightmares to many potent bowlers and took India to several wins. Bowlers came and went, rules were changed, and many injuries threatened to cut short Tendulkar's career.
However, the legendary batsman defied all the odds and delivered consistently. He started his ODI career as a middle-order batsman but earned the opening slot with his tremendous performances, and we all know what happened next. Tendulkar played numerous staggering knocks at the top order and rewrote the record books.
Performing at big stages was another important aspect of Tendulkar's game as he was the leading scorer of two World Cups (1996 and 2003). He even holds the record of most runs and hundreds in ODIs. However, Tendulkar's journey was certainly not just about his on-field performances. His personality and aura upstaged the contests, and the 'Sachin..Sachin' chants can still be heard.
Career stats:
Matches - 463 | Runs - 18426 | Average - 44.83 | 100/50 - 49/96
1. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images) The top place in this list is occupied by none other than Jacques Kallis! Perhaps the greatest all-rounder of all time, Kallis did wonders on the cricket field and his numbers are jaw-dropping. The right-handed batsman was the backbone was South Africa's batting line-up for nearly two decades and scoring consistently never seemed to be a problem for him.
Kallis liked to play long knocks and that too while maintaining a decent strike rate. Coming to his bowling prowess, the right-arm pacer wasn't known to set the speed gun on fire but his control made him a tricky customer for batsmen. He could also generate swing from the surface, and delivering yorkers and bouncers wasn't beyond his reach either.
It won't be wrong to say that Kallis belonged to that rare breed of all-rounders, who could make a place in the playing XI both as a pure batsman or bowler. Subsequently, the Proteas legend tops this list of ODI greats.
Career stats:
Matches - 328 | Runs - 11579 | Batting Average - 44.36 | 100/50 - 17/86 | Wickets - 273 | Economy Rate - 4.84 | 5 wicket hauls - 2
(Disclaimer: This list has been made on the basis of longevity and consistency and impact of players. However, the spectrum of viewing ‘great cricketers’ can be different for different individuals)