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In this article, we’ll look at the 22 Best ODI All Rounders of All Time and see how their talents shaped cricket history. All-rounders in ODI cricket are players who can bat and bowl well during a match. In One Day Internationals, which last 50 overs per team, these players are important because they help in two big ways.
They can score runs with the bat, adding points to their team’s total, and they can also bowl to take wickets, stopping the other team from scoring too much. The Best ODI All Rounders of All Time, like those in our list, show how this mix of skills makes them stand out. Their ability to do both jobs means teams rely on them a lot in every game.
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We feel amazed by how these players handle both tasks so well. All-rounders bring something extra to ODI cricket because they can step up when a team needs runs or when wickets are hard to get. The information we have shows they are valuable assets who can turn the game at any moment. This dual role is what makes them different from players who only bat or only bowl.
Why All-Rounders Matter in ODIs
All-rounders matter in ODIs because they give balance to a team. With only 50 overs to play, teams need players who can handle more than one job. The provided details tell us their versatility is as important as being a specialist. For example, an all-rounder can bat in the middle order to build the score and then bowl a few overs to slow down the other team. This flexibility helps captains plan better, knowing they have someone who can fill gaps in batting or bowling when needed.
Their role in changing games is huge, and we can see why teams love having them. The Best ODI All Rounders of All Time often make a difference when things get tough. If the main bowlers struggle, an all-rounder can take wickets. If the batting collapses, they can score quick runs. The original content says they can turn the game at any moment, and that’s true based on their records. This ability to help in different situations makes them key players in ODI cricket.
List of the Top 22 ODI All-Rounders
Now, let’s talk about the 22 Best ODI All Rounders of All Time. This list comes from a table in the provided information, showing players who shone with both bat and ball. These cricketers come from different countries and have played many matches, scoring runs, taking wickets, and catching balls in the field. Their numbers prove they are the top in ODI history. We’re excited to share this list because it highlights players who made a big mark in cricket with their all-around skills.
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Rank | Player | Country | Matches Played | Runs | Wickets | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 13,430 | 323 | 123 |
| 2 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 328 | 11,579 | 273 | 131 |
| 3 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 8,064 | 395 | 127 |
| 4 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 247 | 7,570 | 317 | 60 |
| 5 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 18,426 | 154 | 140 |
| 6 | Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 215 | 4,950 | 201 | 66 |
| 7 | Kapil Dev | India | 225 | 3,783 | 253 | 71 |
| 8 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 356 | 3,717 | 502 | 88 |
| 9 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | 175 | 3,709 | 182 | 36 |
| 10 | Andrew Flintoff | England | 141 | 3,394 | 169 | 47 |
| 11 | Ben Stokes | England | 114 | 3,463 | 74 | 55 |
| 12 | Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 115 | 1,751 | 158 | 27 |
| 13 | Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 295 | 2,253 | 305 | 88 |
| 14 | Hansie Cronje | South Africa | 188 | 5,565 | 114 | 73 |
| 15 | Andrew Symonds | Australia | 198 | 5,088 | 133 | 82 |
| 16 | Yuvraj Singh | India | 304 | 8,701 | 111 | 94 |
| 17 | Angelo Mathews | Sri Lanka | 226 | 5,916 | 126 | 53 |
| 18 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 303 | 3,519 | 393 | 108 |
| 19 | Shane Watson | Australia | 190 | 5,757 | 168 | 64 |
| 20 | Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 142 | 3,934 | 75 | 89 |
| 21 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 197 | 2,756 | 220 | 74 |
| 22 | Hardik Pandya | India | 61 | 1,769 | 84 | 32 |
The table includes names like Sanath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka, who played 445 matches, and Sachin Tendulkar from India, who played 463 games. It shows their runs, wickets, and catches, giving a clear picture of their work. For example, Wasim Akram from Pakistan took 502 wickets, while Jacques Kallis from South Africa scored over 11,000 runs. Each player here earned their spot among the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time through years of hard work and great performances.
Batting-Focused All-Rounders
Some of the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time are known more for batting but still help with bowling. Sachin Tendulkar from India scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches, making him a batting legend. He also took 154 wickets with his spin bowling, proving he could do more. Sanath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka smashed 13,430 runs and took 323 wickets in 445 games with his left-arm spin. Jacques Kallis from South Africa added 11,579 runs and 273 wickets in 328 matches, showing his steady batting and fast-medium bowling skills.
Then there’s Yuvraj Singh from India, who made 8,701 runs and took 111 wickets in 304 ODIs, often shining in big games like the World Cup. Angelo Mathews from Sri Lanka scored 5,916 runs and grabbed 126 wickets in 226 matches, helping his team with both bat and ball. These players are batting stars, but their bowling makes them true all-rounders. We enjoy watching how they mix strong hitting with useful overs, earning their place among the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time.
Bowling-Focused All-Rounders
Other all-rounders focus more on bowling but also bat well. Wasim Akram from Pakistan took 502 wickets in 356 ODIs with his fast left-arm swing, and he scored 3,717 runs too. Richard Hadlee from New Zealand got 158 wickets and 1,751 runs in 115 matches, known for his sharp bowling. Shaun Pollock from South Africa picked up 393 wickets and made 3,519 runs in 303 games, using his accurate pace to trouble batsmen. These players led with the ball but added value with the bat.
Daniel Vettori from New Zealand took 305 wickets with his left-arm spin and scored 2,253 runs in 295 ODIs, often batting lower down. Ravindra Jadeja from India has 220 wickets and 2,756 runs in 197 matches, mixing spin with quick scoring. We find it impressive how these bowlers could switch roles and help their teams in tight spots. Their skills make them part of the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time, showing bowling strength with batting support.
Balanced All-Rounders
Some players are great at both batting and bowling equally. Shakib Al Hasan from Bangladesh has 7,570 runs and 317 wickets in 247 ODIs, using his left-arm spin and steady batting. Shahid Afridi from Pakistan hit 8,064 runs and took 395 wickets in 398 matches with his fast leg-spin and big shots. Ben Stokes from England scored 3,463 runs and took 74 wickets in 114 games, known for clutch moments like the 2019 World Cup. These stars balance both skills perfectly.
Andrew Flintoff from England made 3,394 runs and took 169 wickets in 141 ODIs, bringing energy with his pace and power hitting. Chris Cairns from New Zealand added 4,950 runs and 201 wickets in 215 matches, swinging games with his bat and ball. We love how these players could do anything asked of them on the field. Their even talents land them among the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time, proving they can handle any challenge.
New ODI All-Rounders to Watch
Newer players are stepping up as all-rounders too. Mohammad Nabi from Afghanistan bats in the middle order and bowls off-spin, helping his team stay strong. His experience guides Afghanistan in ODIs, and he can steady the game or speed it up when needed. Sikandar Raza from Zimbabwe hits hard and bowls off-spin, often winning matches for his side. His rating of 292 in 2024 shows he’s getting better, and his passion keeps his team going.
Glenn Maxwell from Australia, called “The Big Show,” scored 3,934 runs and took 75 wickets in 142 ODIs. His fast batting and off-spin can change a game quickly, and his energy lifts Australia. We’re thrilled to see these players grow into stars. They follow the path of the Best ODI All Rounders of All Time, bringing fresh skills to ODI cricket and showing promise for the future.
Final Thoughts on ODI All-Rounders
The Best ODI All Rounders of All Time have changed ODI cricket with their talents. Their ability to bat and bowl has won matches and given teams depth. Players like Kapil Dev, who led India to the 1983 World Cup, and Imran Khan, who did the same for Pakistan in 1992, show how one person can lift a team. Their versatility, as the original content says, matches the value of specialists, making them heroes in cricket history.
Sanath Jayasuriya stands out as the greatest of them all. With 13,430 runs and 323 wickets in 445 ODIs, he changed how the game is played with his bold batting and handy spin. The conclusion in the provided details calls him the best, and we agree his impact was huge. The Best ODI All Rounders of All Time, like him, leave a legacy of skill and excitement that keeps cricket fans cheering.