These men are dependable in all situations!
A cricketer who excels in both batting and bowling is invaluable to any team. These versatile players, known as all-rounders, bring balance to the playing XI. In limited-overs cricket, having all-rounders is essential, as the format demands multi-faceted contributions from players. Over the years, ODI cricket has seen many all-rounders shine, but only a few have truly etched their names in the history books. In this article, we'll highlight the five greatest all-rounders of all time in ODI cricket.
Jacques Kallis not only stands as the premier all-rounder in ODIs but ranks among the titans of international cricket. He served as the backbone of South Africa's batting lineup while also providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball. Kallis showed his refined and elegant batting technique, accumulating 11,579 runs at an impressive average of 44.36. In his 314 batting innings, he amassed 17 centuries and 86 fifties. On the bowling front, Kallis utilised pace and swing to unsettle batsmen, often catching them off guard. Across 283 innings, he claimed 273 wickets at an average of 31.79, including two five-wicket hauls.
When Sanath Jayasuriya first entered the cricketing arena, he was perceived primarily as a bowler with potential batting skills. However, by the time he bid adieu to ODI cricket, he had defied all expectations. The Sri Lankan maestro bewildered opponents with his slow left-arm spin while mercilessly punishing bowlers with the bat. When bowling, he relied on pace variation rather than traditional spin, while his batting abilities allowed him to dominate every corner of the field. In his illustrious career spanning 445 ODI appearances, Jayasuriya amassed 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36, featuring 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. On the bowling front, he snared 323 wickets at an average of 36.75, including four five-wicket hauls.
Shahid Afridi was a vital component of Pakistan's ODI lineup during his prime. He made a resounding statement with his powerful batting skills right from the start. In a memorable innings against Sri Lanka in 1996, Afridi bludgeoned a century off just 37 balls, setting a new record for the fastest century in ODIs—a mark he held for nearly 18 years. This remarkable feat proved his immense batting talent. Afridi's lethal leg spin was a perfect complement to his explosive batting skills. He possessed a repertoire of variations, including the leg break and googly, making him a formidable all-round threat. Throughout his career, spanning 398 ODIs, Afridi accumulated 8,064 runs at an average of 23.57, while also claiming 395 wickets at an average of 34.51.
Shakib Al Hasan stands as Bangladesh's cricketing icon, renowned for his match-winning performances with both bat and ball. His left-arm spin shows consistency and precision, while his batting features a wide range of shots and a strong temperament. Holding the number-one all-rounder rank for so long highlights his incredible skill. With over 250 ODIs, Shakib has scored 7500+ runs and taken 300+ wickets, proving he's a true all-round powerhouse.
Sakib bowling his lethal spin
Kapil Dev, the legendary captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, stood out with his exceptional all-round skills in an era when such talents were rare in ODI cricket. Renowned for his consistent pace bowling and powerful batting, Dev often single-handedly turned the tide of matches in India's favour. The "Haryana Hurricane" amassed 3783 runs at 23.79 and claimed 253 wickets at 27.45 in 225 ODIs. His unforgettable innings, notably the blitzkrieg 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, remain immortal in cricket history.
Some other notable all-rounders to mention on this list would be players like Hardik Pandya, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, and Ben Stokes!
