The One Day International version of the game has seen some of the most thrilling sporting spectacles. Through its development and evolution, several cricketers have etched their names in the history books, setting new benchmarks for the game.
From fearful run-machines and bold openers to legendary spinners, lethal left-arm swingers, and ice-cool finishers, experts around the globe have short-listed the names that form part of the pantheon of the best 50-over players.
Here is the list of the top 10 greatest ODI players who shaped the game
1. Virat Kohli (India)
If you ask any cricket fan about the template ODI batter, they are bound to mention Virat “King” Kohli. The former skipper of India is the poster boy of consistency and aggression. Kohli has amassed an incredible haul of 15,000-plus runs in 302 innings, which includes a staggering 54 centuries and 79 half-centuries. His strike rate of 93.50 and average of 58.59 are simply extraordinary and perhaps unattainable in the years to come.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Before becoming the biggest star in Indian cricket, Sachin “Little Master” Tendulkar was the most consistent batter in the business. Even today, he retains the record for the highest runs in ODIS with an unbelievable tally of 18,426 in 452 innings. He was a complete package, as he could score runs on every surface and in all conditions. From the slow tracks of the 90s, Tendulkar could score freely on the fast tracks of the new millennium.
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3. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)
Long before Tendulkar and Kohli became the poster boys of ODI cricket, Sir Vivian Richards was rewriting the record books. Richards had a strike rate of 90.20, which was ridiculous back then, where even a rate of 66 was considered good. The West Indian great had a fearsome ODI batting average of 55.04 and smashed 11 centuries and 21 fifties in 187 matches. Richards will forever be remembered for his unbeaten 189 against England in 1984.
4. Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
When discussing the best ODI bowlers of all time, one can't ignore the name of Sri Lankan spinner Muthiah Muralidaran. Murali is considered one of the best bowlers in limited-overs cricket. He sent down more than 3000 deliveries in his ODI career and picked up a phenomenal 534 wickets at an economy rate of under four runs per over.
5. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Australia's era of dominance in ODI cricket was built by the likes of Ricky Ponting. Ponting is regarded as one of the most aggressive batsmen and one of the best captains in ODI history. The former Australia captain is one of the few batsmen to have crossed the 13,000-run mark in ODI cricket. Ricky's brutal pull shots were the terror of many bowlers in the ODI arena, and he also laid the foundation for Australia's famous “Big Three” in the ODI setup.
6. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara may well be the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of ODI cricket. The elegant Sri Lankan opener was in absolutely sublime form in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored 4 centuries in a row. He scored 13,451 runs at a strike rate of 91.21 in 201 ODIs, which is another stat that will be hard to better in the future.
7. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
When it comes to the best ODI fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram's name has to figure in any discussion. The Pakistani legend is one of the quickest bowlers to have bowled in the game, and he terrorized the world's best openers with his raw pace and penetrating accuracy. Wasim picked up a staggering 502 wickets in 351 ODIs, which makes him one of the leading wicket-takers in the format's history.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya is the pioneer of the aggressive ODI openers. In the mid-90s, he reinvented the art of opening the innings in limited-overs cricket. In 1996, the Sri Lankan captain led his team to victory in the Cricket World Cup. Sanath scored 13,430 runs at a strike rate of 91.21 in 211 ODIs.
9. MS Dhoni (India)
The former Indian skipper MS Dhoni is the poster boy for chasing teams in ODI cricket. Whenever India was in trouble in a chase, Dhoni's magic with the bat ensured that they were never truly out of the game. MS Dhoni is one of the best finishers in the limited-overs format. In the ODI arena, Dhoni's strike rate of 85.02 is unparalleled, while his average of 50.57 in the lower middle and lower order is simply sensational. As a captain, he led India to the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy victory.
10. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis is one of the best all-rounders that the game has witnessed. Jacques was a genuine all-rounder who could contribute with the bat and the ball in every match. He was composed in all conditions and didn't have the tendency to get carried away while chasing runs. Jacques played 328 ODIs in his career and scored more than 10,000 runs.