Discover the top cricket players of all time, their achievements, records, and contributions that shaped the history of cricket. Cricket has changed a lot over its 100-plus years. New formats, rule changes, and technology have changed how the game is played, making it hard to compare players from different times. There are many things to think about when comparing the best cricketers of all time.
Some famous modern players focus on the money in T20 cricket, which wasn’t available to older players. Some players never even played in a 50-over World Cup. Test cricket has become less important for some countries recently.
Stats can help make these rankings. Since there’s no video footage for many old players, we can’t rely on seeing them play. But even with numbers, it’s still tough to decide who is greater: AB de Villiers or W.G. Grace.
10. Garfield Sobers
Garfield Sobers was an aggressive and stylish batsman, a skilled and versatile bowler, and an excellent fielder. He is widely regarded as the most complete cricketer of all time.
Sobers played Test cricket for two decades, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of over 57, including 26 centuries and a highest score of 365 not out. He also took 235 wickets using different types of bowling. Although white-ball cricket started near the end of his career, there is no doubt he would have been a star in shorter formats as well.
9. Don Bradman
Don Bradman was so good that England used the controversial Bodyline tactics to try to stop him from scoring. After World War II, Bradman captained ‘The Invincibles’ and ended his Test career with a duck, leaving his average at 99.94.
While Richards played aggressively and Tendulkar followed the perfect technique, Bradman had a unique style. As his career went on, he changed from a player focused on attacking to one who accumulated runs steadily.
8. Shane Warne
Shane Warne retired with 92 fewer Test wickets and 241 fewer ODI wickets than Muralitharan, so putting him this high might be seen as controversial.
However, Warne was a much better batter and fielder than Muralitharan. His strong competitiveness and love for big moments make him stand out from any other bowler in cricket history.
When the match is on the line, Warne is the bowler you’d want to have.
7. Viv Richards
Viv Richards was a key player for the successful West Indies teams. He scored an average of 50 in Test cricket and 47 in ODIs. But his impact on the game went beyond just his runs.
He easily smashed the ball to all parts of the field, often in a dominating way. His incredible hand-eye coordination allowed him to play shots that others could hardly dream of. Richards’ aggressive style of batting, going straight after the bowler, was ahead of its time.
Many cricket legends, including Bob Willis, Brian Lara, and Dennis Lillee, have named Richards as the best batter they ever saw.
Also Read: Top Players With Most Runs In BPL
6. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan faced constant doubts about his bowling action but still took 800 wickets in Test cricket and 534 in ODIs. He holds the record for the most wickets in both formats.
Even after years of scientific studies on his action and experiments like bowling with an arm brace, some people still question his legitimacy. However, Muralitharan’s records remain unmatched, and he has changed how off-spin bowling is seen.
There will never be another bowler like Murali, and many of his records will last for many years.
5. Malcolm Marshall
Out of all players who have played more than 33 Test matches, only four have a better strike rate than Malcolm Marshall. When he retired, Marshall was the West Indies’ all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 376 wickets. His average of 20.94 is the best among any bowler with over 200 wickets.
Marshall stood out even with other great West Indian fast bowlers. Though not as tall as many of his peers, his bouncer was one of the most dangerous. He also developed skills like an in-swinger and a leg-cutter, in addition to his powerful out-swinger.
In addition to being one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, Marshall was also useful with the bat, finishing his career with 10 Test fifties.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted for India at just 15 years old, is more than just a cricketer. He is a legend in India and one of the greatest batsmen ever. Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in both Tests and ODIs. Known for his near-perfect technique, he played well everywhere. His straight drive, hit past the bowler, is one of cricket’s most famous shots, much like Ricky Ponting’s pull or Ian Bell’s cover drive.
3. Jack Hobbs
Jack Hobbs, the top run scorer and century-maker in first-class cricket, deserves a spot on this list. Known as ‘The Master’, he had an average just under 57 in 61 Test matches. His career was interrupted by World War I, with 22 years between his first and last Tests for England.
Footage of Hobbs playing is rare, but many say he was a quick and creative batter. Hobbs gained many fans during his career, and most people who saw him play considered him the best of his time.
2. Imran Khan
The 1980s was a great time for all-rounders, with players like Dev, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan at their best. Imran stood out among them for how he helped Pakistan fall in love with cricket and became a star as a fast bowler, a skilled batsman, and a strong captain.
Imran ended his amazing career with a win in the 1992 World Cup, a perfect way to finish for a player who got better with age. In his last years of Test cricket, he averaged 50 runs with the bat and just 19 runs with the ball.
1. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev’s 434 Test wickets were the most ever until Courtney Walsh reached the same number in 2000. Some of Dev’s records still stand, though. He is the only player in Test cricket to have both 400 wickets and 5,000 runs. He is also the youngest captain to lead his team to a World Cup victory. Averages don’t fully show his greatness. His influence on the game was much bigger than his stats might suggest, which is true for many powerful all-rounders.
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