Many cricketers who have played in the past have been exceptional and having extra ordinary talent, Here’s the top 10 greatest cricketers.
Top 10 Greatest Cricketers Of All Time, have a look.
A sport of such stature is bound to have several outstanding athletes. We can attempt to figure out the greatest cricketers of all time who have graced the field of cricket throughout history.
The legends of cricket have made it a source of mass entertainment throughout modern times.
Without any doubt, cricket is the most popular sport in India. Besides, it is also the second most popular sport in the world right now.
And several greatest cricketers now have their special places in the heart of cricket fans. So, here they are!
1. Sachin Tendulkar
An era of cricket began with Sachin Tendulkar. In addition to Sachin’s debut, the game of cricket will forever be remembered around the world.
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His batting skills were highly skilled, balanced, and perfect. When he turned 16 years old, he gave his first Test debut for a reason. The greatest cricketer of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, enjoyed a 24-year international career.
The feat of 100 centuries in one international series has never been matched by any player and is probably Sachin’s best achievement.
In 1989, when Sachin was 16 years old, he played for the national team after his excellent club and domestic performances. And since then, he is dubbed the greatest batsman in cricket history.
2. Don Bradman
Sir Donald Bradman is known for being one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Bradman is currently holding the record for average test scores of 99.94, which has not been beaten yet. No doubt, it is among the unbreakable sports records of all time.
- Primary Role: Right-Handed Batsman
- Cricket Career: 1928-1948
- Total Runs: 6,996 (Test) & 28,067 (First Class)
- Total Matches: 52 (Test) & 234 (First Class)
He debuted in Test cricket in 1928 with 468 runs at an average of 67 while playing for the Australian cricket team against England.
Bradman’s batting prowess and skill became evident in his performance during the Test series.
The most significant accomplishment he ever made was to score 974 runs against England at an average of 139.14. ‘Bodyline’ was a strategy they used to unsettle his batting. However, he maintained his standard at 57 despite this.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan
The former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan was born on 17th April 1972. He was considered to be one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Having a right-arm off-break bowling style, he is still dubbed as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history.
With his unique bowling technique, he made an incredible impact on Sri Lankan cricket during his 19 years on the field.
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As a result, his name has been etched in several international record books. Initially recognized as an Australian, Muralitharan has competed in five Cricket World Cups from 1996 to 2011. When India played Muralitharan in an ODI match in Sharjah in October 2000, his best bowling figure was 7 for 30.
In Test matches, he holds the record for most 10-wicket hauls with 22. He has taken 66 five-wicket hauls in Test matches, which is the most number. Muralitharan is the only player to have taken a 10-wicket haul in every country where Tests are played.
4. Viv Richards
Sir Vivian Richards was born in Antigua, West Indies, on 7th March 1952. His hometown, i.e., St John’s was part of the British Leeward Islands back then.
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| Test debut (cap 151) | 22 November 1974 v India |
| Last Test | 8 August 1991 v England |
| ODI debut (cap 14) | 7 June 1975 v Sri Lanka |
| Last ODI | 27 May 1991 v England |
It’s no secret that Sir Viv Richards is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and the most consistent player in the history of ODI cricket.
Wisden magazine voted Sir Viv Richards as the greatest all-time ODI player in 2002. A third-best player in the history of Test cricket, he is also one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.
Vivian Richards was never seen wearing a helmet. He was known for hitting down the pitch in this fashion. A popular term for him is “KING OF SIXES.”
5. Wasim Akram
Pakistan has produced some of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, among them Wasim Akram.
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The records he holds are still beyond the grasp of any international bowler, and he is a phenomenal test player as well. The Pakistani bowler Akram was a pioneer of reverse swing and fast bowling. A local talent hunt scouted Wasim just as he made his international debut in cricket.
Wasim’s entry into international cricket was made possible by Javed’s decision to give him a chance to play in a One Day and Test series against New Zealand. The remarkable career of Akram makes him one of the greatest cricketers in Pakistan.
He is still the most successful ODI bowler as a seamer as he took 500 ODI wickets the first time around.
6. Brian Lara
As a West Indian player for many years, he was a one-person show. Sir Viv Richards’ replacement, Lara, broke all his records or came close to them.
- Primary Role: Left-Handed Batsman
- Cricket Career: 1990-2007
- Total Runs: 11,953 (Test) & 10,405 (ODI)
- Total Matches: 131 (Test) & 299 (ODI)
When he visited Trinidad, former US President Obama insisted on meeting Brian Lara. In later interviews, he described the superstar as “the Michael Jordan of cricket.”
Brian is the only batsman to have reached the highest individual score in two different tests during his active career.
His batsmanship has earned him a position among the best in test matches. He scored 277 runs against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1993, regarded as the fourth-highest maiden century in test history.
7. Shane Warne
The former Australian bowler Shane Warne specialized in right-handed leg-breaks. In his era, he was the world’s most stylish cricketer and one of the most popular cricketers.
- Cricket Career: 1992-2007
- Total Wickets: 708 (Test) & 293 (ODI)
There is no end to Shane’s fame, from Melbourne all the way to Los Angeles. In the 1992-93 season, the 6-foot boy made his debut against India.
Shane Warne retired from international cricket in 2007 after concluding the Ashes successfully. The remarkable career of Warne makes him one of the greatest cricketers in Australia.
Beyond cricket, Warne enjoys professional poker, football, and tennis more than anything else due to his passion for playing the game.
The most wickets (96) taken in a calendar year in Test matches belong to Shane Warne. In addition to holding the record for scoring the most runs in Test cricket without scoring a century, Shane is also the first bowler in cricket history to take 600 wickets.
8. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is a former South African international cricketer who played test cricket, ODI cricket, and Twenty20 cricket from 1995 to 2014.
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A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Jacques Kallis was often dubbed as one of the most destructive hard-hitters in cricket. As a batsman, he played an important role with an influential portfolio and as a supporting bowler, especially in test cricket.
A leader in both departments for ODIs, Jacque showed excellent fielding skills as well. The weight of the man did not prevent him from flying high in the air while diving.
Especially in the modern era, Kallis is unquestionably among the greatest cricketers from South Africa. In terms of the number of centuries, he was right behind Sachin Tendulkar.
9. Kumar Sangakkara
Sangakkara has played international cricket for 15 years and scored 28,016 runs across all formats.
- Primary Role: Left-Handed Batsman – Wicketkeeper
- Cricket Career: 2000-2015
- Total Runs: 12,400 (Test) & 14,234 (ODI)
- Total Matches: 134 (Test) & 404 (ODI)
Sangakkara, who has eight double centuries in his career, is behind Bradman’s 12 and Lara’s 9 in the all-time tally.
As the classiest member of the island’s illustrious history, he combines style, pedigree, and panache.
He was a somewhat reluctant captain — the selectors initially preferring the more down-to-earth diplomacy of Mahela Jayawardene.
Sangakkara accepted his buddy’s leadership, becoming a loyal advisor. Their friendship and contribution to Sri Lanka’s cause were sealed when they added 624 against South Africa at Colombo.
10. Ricky Ponting
One of the greatest cricket captains, Rickey Ponting, was born on 19th December 1974. He is an Australian former cricketer and former captain of Australia’s national cricket team in Test cricket during its “golden age.”
- Primary Role: Right-Handed Batsman
- Cricket Career: 1995-2012
- Total Runs: 13,378 (Test) & 13,704 (ODI)
- Total Matches: 168 (Test) & 375 (ODI)
He is often also dubbed as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history. The work covered the years 2004 to 2011 and between 2002 and 2011 for One Day International.
Throughout his 17-year international career, he played both formats for his country and completed more than 27,000 runs.
A feat he shares with Steve Waugh. In his career, Ponting played in 168 Tests.
The eleven-year-old joined his first cricket team. He debuted in 1995 for both Tests and ODIs.