The game of cricket has seen individuals through their sheer brilliance in the game have elevated themselves from mere mortals to legendary status in One Day International (ODI) Cricket. They are affectionately called ODI Cricket’s G.O.A.T. – “The Greatest of All Time”.
With the upcoming ODI World Cup, Cricket fans will witness new contenders to the position of G.O.A.T in the coming years.
Players under this category have showcased consistent performance in the ODI format over the years and have etched their name in cricket history forever and their legacy will be cherished by all cricket fans across the globe.
This article will list the top 10 G.O.A.T of the game and how their contribution towards the game has helped the game grow and become popular. They become greatest ambassadors of the game influencing millions to strive for greatness.
Presented By: Raghunath Nair
Date: 11/08/2023
ODI Cricket’s G.O.A.T. – “The Greatest of All Time”
The list presented have been handpicked by Supersports360 Team by only considering the player’s contribution to the ODI Format.
Players were selected based on their influence, dominance and skills showcased in the limited over format game over the years making them modern day Icons.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
The God of cricket holds the “Numero Uno” position as G.O.A.T. in the ODI format. The Impact Sachin Tendulkar has on the game is parallel to none.
There is hardly any record in the game not made or broken by Sachin. His list of records in ODI format is a testimony to the fact that there is no one in cricket history who would have dominated the game with his sheer numbers and longevity.
Tendulkar’s Test record is equally impressive but his dominance in the ODI format has given the Indian Opener a cult status in cricket history.
Even today. the chants from the audience of “Sachin!! Sachin !!” reverberates the stadiums during an international cricket match years after his retirement. This showcases the fan’s love and adulation for the Indian Star.
Sachin was bestowed The Bharat Ratna Award, which is the highest civilian award for an Indian
Sachin Tendulkar ended his career rewriting most of the cricket records in the ODI format as a batsman. He was the first man to break the 200 run individual score.
After his achieving his dream of lifting the ODI cricket world cup in 2011. Sachin retired from ODI Cricket a year later
Sachin scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches a feat difficult to be matched by the modern era players. He scored 29 centuries and 96 half centuries which is the current record in the game.
2. Viv Richards
Known as the player who brought aggression in batting, Viv Richards revolutionized modern ODI cricket like no other during his time. Till then strike rates were in the range of 60s for most batsmen. Viv Richards brought in the aggression and the need to score runs at a quick rate. He changed the batting perception in ODI Cricket.
With his elegant swag to the crease and intimidating the best fast bowlers of his time, made Viv a dangerous batsman of his era. His innings in the World cups were historical and the reason why West Indies were World champions multiple times. Richards scored 5 centuries in World Series Cricket between 1977 and 1979.
An accomplished Test batsman, Viv’s style of play made him the best ODI batsman in the 70s and 80s. He scored 6,721 runs in 187 matches with an impressive average of 47. He top-scored with 189* in 1984 against England in Old Trafford which was the highest individual ODI score then. He scored 11 centuries and 45 half-centuries.
3. Virat Kohli
The Only current player in the list makes Virat Kohli all the more special in the list. Considered the best batsman in the current period, Virat has been one of the main stay in the Indian team in all formats. He has been the run scoring machine for Team India. Technically a sound player, he is just few centuries short from the God of Cricket. No other current international can boast the records compiled by the former captain of the Indian Team.
Virat Kohli won the U19 world cup as Team India captain and won the 2011 ODI World Cup under MS Dhoni.
Virat Kohli has played 283 ODI matches and scored 13271 runs in 274 Innings. Virat Kohli’s Highest Score in ODI is 183. Virat Kohli has 47 ODI centuries, 67 ODI half centuries.
Virat Kohli has a strike rate of 93.7 with average of 46.89 in 14163 ODI balls
4. Muthiah Muralitharan
Muthiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket taking bowler in Test and ODI making him a living legend in cricket. His unorthodox Bowling action redefined the art of off spin.
Murali’s career has been marred with controversy due to his unorthodox bowling action. He played in the era of Shane Warne, the Australian highly regarded by all as the best Leg spinner ever in the game of cricket.
Unlike other offspinners, Murali bamboozled batsmen with his variations which included a ball going the other way.
Muthaih Muralitharan played a very important role in Sri Lanka lifting their maiden ODI World Cup Title in 1996.
In his career, Murali played in 350 ODI Matches, taking 534 wickets which is currently the ODI record.
5. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is regarded as the best Wicket Keeper Batsman in the history of the game.
Kumar Sangakkara has been equally effective in Test Cricket. He was known for his batting partnerships with Sri Lankan greats like Marvan Attapattu and Mahela Jayawardana
Kumar Sangakkara scored 25 Centuries and a mind boggling 90 half centuries. His total runs of 13975 Runs is the second highest ODI record after Sachin Tendulkar.
An integral part of the Sri Lankan Team, Kumar’s career spanned for 15 years.
Sangakkara’s record of 4 consecutive centuries in the 2015 World Cup is testimony to his consistency. While his batting record overshadowed his achievements with the gloves, Kumar Sangakarra was an excellent wicket keeper with quick reflexes and was also an effective captain when he was given the leadership role.
6. M.S. Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will go down as the most successful Indian captain in the shorter format of the game.
Dhoni is the only captain to win all ICC Tournaments to date.
Dhoni’s leadership skill was enough to play him in the eleven as he brought a sense of calmness in the team. His excellent glove work behind the stumps and his lightning speed stumpings were well known in the cricketing circles.
He was considered one of the best finishers in limited over cricket. MSD as he was also known hit the winning runs of the finals in the 2011 ODI World Cup.
In 350 ODIs, Dhoni scored 10,773 runs at an excellent average of 50.53. His top score of 183* was against Pakistan. He scored 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries. He has 321 catches and 123 stumpings.
7. JACQUES KALLIS
Jacques Kallis will go down in the history books as the Best Allrounder the game has ever seen. While Jacques Kallis was a very effective Test Allrounder, he brought his consistency in the ODI game too.
He is amongst the top 10 run getter (11500 runs) in history of the game and took 269 wickets in ODI cricket.
Kallis was known for his consistency in the game in both departments ans was also an excellent slip catcher.
Jaques Kallis was one of the stalwarts of South African cricket in the modern-day.
Equally talented with bat and ball, he went on to redefine the role of an allrounder in world cricket.
In ODIs, Kallis made 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries. He picked up 273 wickets at 31.79.
8. Ricky Ponting
Apart from being an excellent Test player, Ricky Ponting stands 4th for the Highest runs made in ODI history.
Ricky Ponting was part of three ICC Cricket World Cup-winning squads, in 1999, 2003 and 2007, the last two as captain of the side. He is, in fact, Australia’s most successful Test captain too
Ricky Ponting’s career spanned for 17 years.
In 375 ODI, Ricky amazed a total of 13704 runs at an average of 42. He was considered the best fielder along with Jonty Rhodes of South Africa.
Ricky Ponting will be undisputedly considered the most successful captain in cricket History. Under his captaincy Australia won a record 21 successive ODIs and captained Australian ODI team in 230 ODI with a win percentage of 76.
Ricky Ponting made 30 centuries and 82 half centuries. He was the leading scorer in the 2003 World Cup and scored a century in the finals of 2007 World Cup
9. Wasim Akram
Called the Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram will be considered the best left Arm fast bowler of his era.
Wasim Akram is the second highest wicket taker in ODI history with 502 wickets at an average of 23.52
Wasim played in 356 ODIs for Pakistan and also led Pakistan during his career
Wasim Akram was one of the key players and reason for Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup.
Though not a complete allrounder, Wasim was an effective lower order batsmen and he was instrumental in many wins for Pakistan with some lower order batting.
Wasim was quite effective with both the new and the old ball. He mastered the art of reverse swing and along with Waqar Younis formed a formidable opening bowling pair for Pakistan for more than a decade.
Wasim Akram was the youngest to cross 400 wickets in ODI Cricket.
10. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya started as a left arm orthodox bowler in the Sri Lankan team to become one of the most explosive opening batsmen in ODI history. Sanath Jayasuriya brought back the aggressive style of game played by Viv Richards in the 70s and 80s.
While many before Jayasuriya tried to play pinch hitting role to take the advantage of the initial 10 overs of Powerplay. Jayasuriya became the undisputed king of powerplay. Along with his batting partner, Romesh Kaluwitharana, the Sri Lankan pair revolutionised ODI batting.
Sanath Jayasuriya played an important role in Sri Lanka winning the 1996 ODI World Cup.
Sanath Jayasuriya as a bowler was very effective in ODI Cricket. His 10 overs were a bank for the captain who could bowl him in powerplay or even in death overs if required
Sanath Jayasuriya apart from being in the top 4 batsman in ODI Cricket, he also is the 11th highest wicket taker in ODI history. This makes him the most effective ODI player of all time.
He was the first player in ODI history to score 10000 runs and taking 300 wickets.
Jayasuriya held the record for fastest 50 in 17 balls against Pakistan in 1996 which remained a record for a long time.
Sanath Jayasuriya’s style of batting has influenced how modern day T20 Cricket is played.
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