Who do you think are the top 10 greatest ODI batters of all time?

[Unbiased-Fan]

Lets look at some greatest ODI batsman of all times.


Sachin Tendulkar is the most prolific opener of all times, having excellent record against quality bowling lineups and in multinational tournaments.

Viv Richards was probably 30 years ahead of his time. Average of 47 and Strike rate of 90 was unheard in his time.

Virat Kohli's numbers shows his impact on the ODI game. Averaging close to 60 after playing 250+ matches is something miraculous.

ODI Record of AB devilliers is truly unbelievable. He is the only player to average 50+ with strike rate of 100+.

Rohit Sharma probably has the most impressive numbers as opener. His recent performances further enhances his legacy.

MS Dhoni is an certified ODI legend. He took India to many unbelievable wins for losing positions.

Before Dhoni, there was Michael Bevan who did same for Australia. He was the first player to average over 50.

Sanath Jayasuriya's numbers may not seems to be impressive but his impact was beyond stats.

Ricky Ponting is another legendary ODI cricketer with highly impressive stats.


Inzamam Ul Haq, Saurav Ganguly, Saeed Anwar, Dean Jones, Brain Lara, Chris Gayle, Adam Gilchrist and Sangakkara are the other player who can be included in top 10 greatest ODI batsman of all times.

Discuss

 

[sweep_shot]

I watch cricket since 1997. So, I am listing based on what I saw (I am only adding Viv Richards from outside of 1997-present period).

My top 10 greatest ODI batters of all time (not in any particular order):

Viv Richards
Kallis
Kohli
Tendulkar
Rohit
Jayasuriya
Ponting
Inzamam
Dhoni
Sangakara.

 

[Ab Fan]

Viv
Kohli
Sachin
Ponting
ABDV

Rohit
Dhoni
Bevan
Gilchrist
Jayasuriya

 

[Ab Fan]

^ Honourable mention - Lara, de Silva, Anwar, Warner, Jones, Z Abbas, Yuvi etc.

 

[sweep_shot]

Viv
Kohli
Sachin
Ponting
ABDV

Rohit
Dhoni
Bevan
Gilchrist
Jayasuriya

LOL. ABDV shouldn't be there.

Can't believe you included him over likes of Lara, Inzamam, and Aravinda De Silva.

 

[mominsaigol]

1) Viv Richards

2) Sachin Tendulkar

3) Ricky Pointing

4) Virat Kohli

5) ABD (Mr 360)

6) Rohit Sharma (Hitman)

7) Dean Jones (Extremely Underrated, Dude wrote the rules on how to play a one day game, Man was playing 2000 era cricket in the 80's)

7) Micheal Bevan (Again underrated, I rate him higher as a finisher then Dhoni)

8) MS Dhoni

9) Sanath Jaysuria

10) Virender Sehwag

11) Saeed Anwar (Extremely Underrated)

12) David Warner (Goat Pakistani basher)

13) Adam Gilchrist

14) Kumar Sangakara

15) Brian Lara (For me, I felt he underachieved in Odi compared to Test)

 

[Ab Fan]

LOL. ABDV shouldn't be there.

Can't believe you included him over likes of Lara, Inzamam, and Aravinda De Silva.

Yes ABDV shouldn't be there. Instead Inzamam should be there

 

[mominsaigol]

LOL. ABDV shouldn't be there.

Can't believe you included him over likes of Lara, Inzamam, and Aravinda De Silva.

Lara in odi underachieved compared to his test greatness. For me lara is the best test player all time, but in odi he's just a solid orthodox batter.

Inzi was a player who kept and kept declining as the years went by, 2003 onwards he was a done case whereas the likes of de villers were still peak even at the prime end of their careers in 2015. Inzi may have been unmatched against pace but his lack of longevity is what causes him to falter a bit.

De Silva is an entertainer, of which de villers surpasses him on in every metric. De villers Mr 360 impact and changing the approach of unconventional play is what puts him high.

 

[sweep_shot]

Yes ABDV shouldn't be there. Instead Inzamam should be there

Inzamam has over 11000 ODI runs. He used to be an elite chaser.

It is possible you didn't see him live.

Definitely a bigger ODI legend than ABD.

 

[sweep_shot]

Lara in odi underachieved compared to his test greatness. For me lara is the best test player all time, but in odi he's just a solid orthodox batter.

Inzi was a player who kept and kept declining as the years went by, 2003 onwards he was a done case whereas the likes of de villers were still peak even at the prime end of their careers in 2015. Inzi may have been unmatched against pace but his lack of longevity is what causes him to falter a bit.

De Silva is an entertainer, of which de villers surpasses him on in every metric. De villers Mr 360 impact and changing the approach of unconventional play is what puts him high.

Aravinda was a big ODI legend. Check his performance in 1996 WC (which SL won).

Both Lara and Inzi have over 10,000 ODI runs. Inzi was considered as one of the best chasing batters at that time.

I have seen these guys live. I know they are better than ABD. ABD used to choke when it mattered.

 

[Rana]

The ones I have seen play:

1. Ricky Ponting
2. Sanath Jaysuriya
3. Ab Devilliers
4. Inzimam ul Haq
5. Yuvraj Singh
6. Jos Butler
7. Martin Guptil
8. Fakhar Zaman
9. Chris Gayle
10. Virender Sehwag

 

[mominsaigol]

Aravinda was a big ODI legend. Check his performance in 1996 WC (which SL won).

Both Lara and Inzi have over 10,000 ODI runs. Inzi was considered as one of the best chasing batters at that time.

I have seen these guys live. I know they are better than ABD. ABD used to choke when it mattered.

I have also seem them play, People forget that full match games exist on the Internet lol.

If you wish to nitpick certain instances then sure.

Aravinda 1996 version ranks on this list, in the same vein as Steve Smith 2015 wc version would rank > Kohli on this list, and in the same vein as Inzi 1992 version would rank > Most people on this list. Similarly Lara 2003 version would rank > Most on this list.

It's not about nitpicking certain moments

 

[shaz619]

Viv Richards
Sanath Jayasuriya
Michael Bevan
King Brian Charles Lara
Lance Klusner
Saeed Anwar
Inzimam Ul Haq
Adam Gilchrist
Jos Butler
Fakhar Zaman

 

[Misia]

Inzi was awsome, calm when cashing big scores but anyone find the stats on how many times Inzi was run out himself or got his partners run out before you start to consider him.

 

[sweep_shot]

I have also seem them play, People forget that full match games exist on the Internet lol.

If you wish to nitpick certain instances then sure.

Aravinda 1996 version ranks on this list, in the same vein as Steve Smith 2015 wc version would rank > Kohli on this list, and in the same vein as Inzi 1992 version would rank > Most people on this list. Similarly Lara 2003 version would rank > Most on this list.

It's not about nitpicking certain moments

Highlights and live aren't same.

You can watch highlights but you wouldn't understand the vibes from those periods.

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion. But, for me, ABD shouldn't be among top 10. What did he win in ODI? Absolutely nothing. He always choked when it mattered.

Comparing Aravinda to Smith is laughable. Smith was ordinary in ODI.

 

[shaz619]

The ones I have seen play:

1. Ricky Ponting
2. Sanath Jaysuriya
3. Ab Devilliers
4. Inzimam ul Haq
5. Yuvraj Singh
6. Jos Butler
7. Martin Guptil
8. Fakhar Zaman
9. Chris Gayle
10. Virender Sehwag

I thought only I’d have Jayasuriya that high due to the COVID outbreak in cricket; the real ones know forget being a Paul Heyman guy, am a Sanath Jayasuriya guy, anybody who picks him is on the A team

 

[mominsaigol]

Highlights and live aren't same.

You can watch highlights but you wouldn't understand the vibes from those periods.

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion. But, for me, ABD shouldn't be among top 10. What did he win in ODI? Absolutely nothing. He always choked when it mattered.

Comparing Aravinda to Smith is laughable. Smith was ordinary in ODI.

Read what I said again FULL MATCHES EXIST ON THE NET.

Not talking about highlights. You can watch full 8 hr games on the net lol. Highlights wise people would think Razzaqs 100 against sa was a fluke bash since highlights only show him blindly hitting 4's and 6's.

only watching a full game will one understand how great that innings was with him soaking up pressure, Carefully manipulating the field so that he gets strike and tail enders don't have to deal with the brunt of the bowling, Managing RR brilliantly, and soaking up the insane pressure etc

 

[sweep_shot]

What did Ab De Villiers win in ODI? No trophy. Always choked in knockout matches. SA never reached any final while he played.

Aravinda won 1996 WC. Inzi won 1992 WC. Aravinda and Inzi weren't just freeloaders; they contributed.

Lara won 2004 CT.

ABD was a bilateral and group stage specialist.

 

[sweep_shot]

Read what I said again FULL MATCHES EXIST ON THE NET.

Not talking about highlights. You can watch full 8 hr games on the net lol. Highlights wise people would think Razzaqs 100 against sa was a fluke bash since highlights only show jim blindly hitting 4's and 6's.

only watching a full game will one understand how great that innings was with him soaking up pressure, Carefully manipulating the field so that he gets strike and tail enders don't have to deal with the brunt of the bowling, Managing RR brilliantly, and soaking up the insane pressure etc

I am aware full matches exist on the internet but you can't understand vibes of those periods just by watching full matches.

It is like me watching a game from 1952 and trying to understand that period. It will not be same as watching live in that period.

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion.

 

[mominsaigol]

I am aware full matches exist on the internet but you can't understand vibes of those periods just by watching full matches.

It is like me watching a game from 1952 and trying to understand that period. It will not be same as watching live in that period.

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion.

What does Vibe have anything to do with play style?

If you watch a game from 1952, you can instantly understand how players from that era use to play and what the conditions and rules were for that time period and how they'd theoretically rank based of the impact they achieved during that time period.

Inzi's impact of being unbeatable againat pacers in his prime doesn't detract that his longevity did not last 2003 and onwards, Nor does his impact against India aka the vibe of Pakistan dominating India during that period thanks to Inzi overshadow the outright butchering of Sides that Abd was able to accomplish, Play across the park, Score the fastest century and fastest 150 and hold the 2nd highest record of most sixes hit in a single game.

Only pakistani and Indian fans will hold Inzi higher due to the vibe of Pakistan vs India games whereas in the current era it's extremely one sided and bi laterals aren't even played.

 

[mominsaigol]

I thought only I’d have Jayasuriya that high due to the COVID outbreak in cricket; the real ones know forget being a Paul Heyman guy, am a Sanath Jayasuriya guy, anybody who picks him is on the A team

Most people tend to include Sanath in their atg 11 teams as an opener.

Pretty sure he's well rated by most.

 

[Rana]

Most people tend to include Sanath in their atg 11 teams as an opener.

Pretty sure he's well rated by most.

Some people would pick Rizwan over him @Major

 

[shaz619]

Some people would pick Rizwan over him @Major

Misbah Ul Haq, would have picked him ahead of Sanath in 96 and finished Lankan cricket for good

 

[Ab Fan]

Inzamam has over 11000 ODI runs. He used to be an elite chaser.

It is possible you didn't see him live.

Definitely a bigger ODI legend than ABD.

Inzamam with his fitness and World Cup record is not fit enough to tie the shoelace of ABD. ABD has legendary record in World Cup. 1200+ runs, 60+ average and 120 strike rate. Help me find out Inzy in this list.

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

In World Cup semi final, ABD scored 65*(45) vs New Zealand in their backyard. He has all boxes ticked as far as individual performance is concerned in ODIs.

Against Australia in 2007, he scored 92 of 70 vs ATG Australian attack, and could only get out through a freakish throw from Watson in the boundary line.

 

[mominsaigol]

Some people would pick Rizwan over him @Major

No way does he actually put Rizwan over Jaysuria?

Although I did read the Misbah vs Inzi thread lol.

 

[Ab Fan]

Aravinda de Silva should definitely be higher than Sangakkara though. He is the best SL ODI bat.

Inzy, I am not sure, is the best Pakistani batsman. Anwar has a strong case.

 

[Ab Fan]

Best ODI batters from each nation:-

Aus - Ponting
Ind - Kohli
SA - de Villiers
WI - Viv
Pak - Anwar
SL - Aravinda
NZ - Williamson
Eng - Root

 

[Rana]

Best ODI batters from each nation:-

Aus - Ponting
Ind - Kohli
SA - de Villiers
WI - Viv
Pak - Anwar
SL - Aravinda
NZ - Williamson
Eng - Root

Erm

Yeah no.

 

[mominsaigol]

He can clarify

I assume his line of thinking is to put Rizwan over Jaysuriya. He can come out and say otherwise. Like I care

He thinks Rizwan is better than Fakhar as a batsmen and is the best wk batter for pakistan all time due to statistics (His own comments not mine)

And that Misbah was one of the best Limited over batsmen pakistan ever had due to having the 2nd highest odi avg behind babar

And that Misbah's era is the greatest pakistani era of all time.

So idk or understand his viewpoints one bit.

Daytrader also stated Babar is the best pakistani batsmen of all time, I asked him to clarify if he meant statistically or actually, and he said actually.

And Major got mad at me when I claimed Saeed Anwar is a classier batsmen then Babar?

So God knows what his cricketing viewpoints are.

 

[Ab Fan]

Erm

Yeah no.

About whom?

 

[mominsaigol]

Best ODI batters from each nation:-

Aus - Ponting
Ind - Kohli
SA - de Villiers
WI - Viv
Pak - Anwar
SL - Aravinda
NZ - Williamson
Eng - Root

Aravinda, Williamson and root best for their nation? HAHAHA

The rest is fine, I disagree on some parts but it's a fine opinion.

But the bottom 3 is goofy as heck.

 

[Rana]

About whom?

Pretty much all of them besides Ponting and Viv (although I never saw him play live so I can’t say but a sr of 90 in his era is phenomenal)

 

[Ab Fan]

Aravinda, Williamson and root best for their nation? HAHAHA

The rest is fine, I disagree on some parts but it's a fine opinion.

But the bottom 3 is goofy as heck.

Aravinda is definitely the best ODI batsman to come from SL. That shouldn't even be a debate.

For Eng and New Zealand, it's hard to pick one name. Ultimately depends on what you want. Are you looking at a technically correct 50 over batsman capable of batting all the way or any aggressive game changing player who might be inconsistent.

 

[ChennaiFan]

My top 10 considering all the conditions across the world:
Virat Kohli
Sachin Tendulkar
Ricky Ponting
Vivian Richards
Aravinda De Silva
Lance Klusener
Dean Jones
Rohit Sharma
Graham Gooch
Michael Bevan

 

[mominsaigol]

Aravinda is definitely the best ODI batsman to come from SL. That shouldn't even be a debate.

For Eng and New Zealand, it's hard to pick one name. Ultimately depends on what you want. Are you looking at a technically correct 50 over batsman capable of batting all the way or any aggressive game changing player who might be inconsistent.

How is Aravinda the best odi batsmen to come from SL? Please explain?

Just saying that shouldn't be a debate doesn't mean anything.

I can easily say Muhammad Rizwan is the best batsmen to come out of Pakistan, that shouldn't be a debate as well. See how flawed your argument is?

As for eng and NZ I'm looking for the best batter from that country plain and simple. So it's better to justify how root and Williamson are the best odi batsmen?

For Test I will agree for root. As Jack hobbs and other 50's batsmen would be a bit tough for me to determine due to lack of footage.

 

[sweep_shot]

Best ODI batters from each nation:-

Aus - Ponting
Ind - Kohli
SA - de Villiers
WI - Viv
Pak - Anwar
SL - Aravinda
NZ - Williamson
Eng - Root

My all-time best ODI batter list from each nation:

Australia - Ponting
NZ - Brendon McCullum
South Africa - Gibbs or Kallis (I pick Kallis)
WI - Viv Richards
Pakistan - Inzamam
SL - Jayasuriya
England - Stokes
India - Kohli
Bangladesh - Tamim Iqbal
Afghanistan - Gurbaz
Ireland - Kevin O'Brien
Zimbabwe - Andy Flower
Kenya - Steve Tikolo
Canada - Rizwan Cheema.

 

[Ab Fan]

How is Aravinda the best odi batsmen to come from SL? Please explain?

Just saying that shouldn't be a debate doesn't mean anything.

I can easily say Muhammad Rizwan is the best batsmen to come out of Pakistan, that shouldn't be a debate as well. See how flawed your argument is?

As for eng and NZ I'm looking for the best batter from that country plain and simple. So it's better to justify how root and Williamson are the best odi batsmen?

For Test I will agree for root. As Jack hobbs and other 50's batsmen would be a bit tough for me to determine due to lack of footage.

Aravinda is rated highly because that hundreds he got in WC Final transformed SL from underdogs to World Champions. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene considered Aravinda as better batsman.

 

[sweep_shot]

Aravinda is rated highly because that hundreds he got in WC Final transformed SL from underdogs to World Champions. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene considered Aravinda as better batsman.

I say Aravinda is the 2nd best SL batter of all time (he is behind Jayasuriya).

Someone like Aravinda can't be understood just by stats or highlights. He was an impact player during those days. His biggest impact was in 1996 WC final. Underdog SL defeated a strong Aussie side that had McGrath, Warne, Ponting etc.

 

[Ab Fan]

My all-time best ODI batter list from each nation:

Australia - Ponting
NZ - Williamson
South Africa - Gibbs or Kallis (I pick Kallis)
WI - Viv Richards
Pakistan - Inzamam
SL - Jayasuriya
England - Stokes
India - Kohli
Bangladesh - Tamim
Afghanistan - Gurbaz
Ireland - Kevin O'Brien
Zimbabwe - Andy Flower
Kenya - Steve Tikolo
Canada - Rizwan Cheema.

How about you first answer this? It's funny you avoided that list after getting owned, which you did earlier today in the other thread too on @Buffet 's response.

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

 

[sweep_shot]

How about you first answer this? It's funny you avoided that list after getting owned, which you did earlier today in the other thread too on @Buffet 's response.

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

That discussion is finished. Sanga won in terms of impact. Tendulkar won in terms of stats.

Anyway, let's stick to topic.

 

[Ab Fan]

That discussion is finished. Sanga won in terms of impact. Tendulkar won in terms of stats.

Anyway, let's stick to topic.

No, it wasn't. You finished it because you had nothing to respond.

Same as you have no response to the World Cup record of all the top players that I showed you. Can't find your favourites in this list though.

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

 

[mominsaigol]

Aravinda is rated highly because that hundreds he got in WC Final transformed SL from underdogs to World Champions. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene considered Aravinda as better batsman.

He played a very good innings especially in a wc.

That doesn't put him as an objectively superior batsmen.

Travis head got a world cup 137 against India and to top it all off he's far superior to Warner in knockout stages, However Travis has not surpassed Warner in his prime.

Aravinda is not superior to Jaysuria or Sanga as a batsmen or even Dilshan for that matter. As for what legends claim, it doesn't matter, Anil Kumble claimed rizwan is top 3 batsmen in the world currently. Doesn't make it true.

 

[sweep_shot]

He played a very good innings especially in a wc.

That doesn't put him as an objectively superior batsmen.

Travis head got a world cup 137 against India and to top it all off he's far superior to Warner in knockout stages, However Travis has not surpassed Warner in his prime.

Aravinda is not superior to Jaysuria or Sanga as a batsmen or even Dilshan for that matter. As for what legends claim, it doesn't matter, Anil Kumble claimed rizwan is top 3 batsmen in the world currently. Doesn't make it true.

It was not just WC 1996 final.

There was a reason why Sanga and Mahela rated Aravinda higher than themselves. Those who watched cricket in that period would likely consider Aravinda to be a legend.

You are writing based on highlights and stats.

 

[Rana]

It was not just WC 1996 final.

There was a reason why Sanga and Mahela rated Aravinda higher than themselves. Those who watched cricket in that period would likely consider Aravinda to be a legend.

You are writing based on highlights and stats.

No one is saying Arvinda isn’t a legend.

But he wasn’t SL’s greatest ODI bat. It has to be Jaysuriya, that guy was another level!

 

[sweep_shot]

No one is saying Arvinda isn’t a legend.

But he wasn’t SL’s greatest ODI bat. It has to be Jaysuriya, that guy was another level!

I agree that Jayasuriya was better than Aravinda.

I think Jayasuriya is the greatest SL player of all time. He also has 300+ ODI wickets.

 

[mominsaigol]

It was not just WC 1996 final.

There was a reason why Sanga and Mahela rated Aravinda higher than themselves. Those who watched cricket in that period would likely consider Aravinda to be a legend.

You are writing based on highlights and stats.

I never once mentioned his stats, I'm fully aware that neither of aravinda stats or Jaysuria's stats aren't reflective of their actual capabilities,

However Jaysuria remains as Sri Lanka's greatest odi batsmen while sanga gets the test privilege.

Legends compliment each other all the time and have respect for one another.

Messi thinks Ronaldo is superior to him and Ronaldo thinks Messi is superior to him. That's how sports interviews and respect works. A player will sound like an ego maniac if they say the words " NO I AM THE BEST"

Cough Chacha cough.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I agree that Jayasuriya was better than Aravinda.

I think Jayasuriya is the greatest SL player of all time. He also has 300+ ODI wickets.

Aravinda was also the best at his time.. specially against Pakistan!

 

[Rana]

Viv Richards
Sanath Jayasuriya
Michael Bevan
King Brian Charles Lara
Lance Klusner
Saeed Anwar
Inzimam Ul Haq
Adam Gilchrist
Jos Butler
Fakhar Zaman

I so wish I had seen Klusenar play

Do you recon Klaasen is the same breed or more vicious?

 

[Ab Fan]

This proves why AB de Villiers is one of the greatest ODI batsman to have played the game. He has got absolutely legendary record in ODIs, nobody in the history of the game to match that and his career stats are also phenomenal, only player in the history of the game to average 50+ and strike over 100. Undoubtedly one of the greatest to have graced the game.

 

[big_gamer007]

Easy list:

Top 6 are Guaranteed:
Sachin
Kohli
Rohit
Viv
ABD
Ponting

7-10
Kris Srikanth - Was ahead of his time and was playing T20 before T20 was even a thought.
Dhoni - GOAT Chaser.
Shikhar Dhawan - Beast in ICC tournaments.
Gautam Gambhir - Clutch player in finals.

Can’t get a better top 10 list than this

 

[mominsaigol]

People highly underrate Dean Jones as the dude is literally the father of Modern Cricjet.

Even in this day and age where 400 is common place many of his ways on how to structure an innings is extremely applicable and we see virat kohli apply this all the time.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sachin
ABD
virat
Rohit
VIV
In no particular order.

 

[mominsaigol]

The ones I have seen play:

1. Ricky Ponting
2. Sanath Jaysuriya
3. Ab Devilliers
4. Inzimam ul Haq
5. Yuvraj Singh
6. Jos Butler
7. Martin Guptil
8. Fakhar Zaman
9. Chris Gayle
10. Virender Sehwag

Have you seen Saeed Anwar play?

I would rank him much much higher then Inzi. Inzi is better at playing Pace and in prime also better at playing in overseas, But saeed Anwar was a prime time beast in asia conditions and he's played in an exteremly difficult era + his childs death made him lose interest in cricket so his end impacted him.

But in his prime I generally rate him above many left handed openers including the likes of Warner and Gilchrist.

Truly unbelievably rare to see such an opener from a country like Pakistan.

I also rate him as a superior version to Fakhar Zaman, Fakhar in song is unbeatable but for me an In song Fakhar Zaman is the 2nd greatest pakistani batsmen ever however he's still a touch below An insong Saeed Anwar.

 

[harshjoshi87]

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Vivian Richards
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Virat Kohli
5. Inzamam-ul-Haq
6. MS Dhoni
7. Rohit Sharma
8. Michael Bevan
9. Brian Lara
10. Sanath Jayasuriya

 

[Rana]

Have you seen Saeed Anwar play?

I would rank him much much higher then Inzi. Inzi is better at playing Pace and in prime also better at playing in overseas, But saeed Anwar was a prime time beast in asia conditions and he's played in an exteremly difficult era + his childs death made him lose interest in cricket so his end impacted him.

But in his prime I generally rate him above many left handed openers including the likes of Warner and Gilchrist.

Truly unbelievably rare to see such an opener from a country like Pakistan.

I also rate him as a superior version to Fakhar Zaman, Fakhar in song is unbeatable but for me an In song Fakhar Zaman is the 2nd greatest pakistani batsmen ever however he's still a touch below An insong Saeed Anwar.

My blurred memories of Anwar were the 99 World Cup, some random series against NZ and England (didn’t watch much ODI cricket then especially Pakistan) and the 2003 World Cup, especially the hundred v India.

I watched Inzimam extensively throughout 2003-2007. I understood why he had an excellent record, second player to make 10k ODI runs after Tendulkar with 80+ 50s. You just knew as a fan that the game isn’t over as long as Inzimam is at the crease. Pakistan’s greatest player of pressure.

 

[mominsaigol]

My blurred memories of Anwar were the 99 World Cup, some random series against NZ and England (didn’t watch much ODI cricket then especially Pakistan) and the 2003 World Cup, especially the hundred v India.

I watched Inzimam extensively throughout 2003-2007. I understood why he had an excellent record, second player to make 10k ODI runs after Tendulkar with 80+ 50s. You just knew as a fan that the game isn’t over as long as Inzimam is at the crease. Pakistan’s greatest player of pressure.

Inzi is a fantastic player no doubt and pakistan's greatest Middle order batsmen of all time.

 

[Rana]

Inzi is a fantastic player no doubt and pakistan's greatest Middle order batsmen of all time.

Sehwag rates him as the greatest south Asian middle order player of all time. Sehwag is pretty blunt and accurate with his views. India had big guns like Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, later Yuvraj…SL with Da Silva, Ranatunga, Attapatu…later Sanga and Jayawardane.

 

[mominsaigol]

Sehwag rates him as the greatest south Asian middle order player of all time. Sehwag is pretty blunt and accurate with his views. India had big guns like Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, later Yuvraj…SL with Da Silva, Ranatunga, Attapatu…later Sanga and Jayawardane.

Ik I've seen Inzi play on multiple full matches.

I rate Inzi as the 2nd best Odi player pakistan has ever had after Saeed Anwar. And defo the best MO batter.

Fakhar is too inconsistent and Zaheer has too much of a small sample size to judge although zaheer in test was defo a great batter.

Inzi walks into any team on the planet. He'll easily walk in over sheryas iyer at no 4, Or Steve Smith(odi) at 4 or Harry brook for England at 4 etc etc.

He's a genuine gun batter and clutch batter.

Ofcourse he doesn't walk in over Misbah, In the same vein as Fakhar doesn't walk in over Rizwan.

 

[sweep_shot]

I so wish I had seen Klusenar play

Do you recon Klaasen is the same breed or more vicious?

I have seen Klusener at his peak.

He was the Player of the Series in 1999 WC. He was a crazy hitter.

But, I think Klaasen is more vicious.

 

[Bhaijaan]

1. Tendulkar
2. Kohli
3. MS Dhoni
4. Richards
5. Hitman
6. Ponting
7. Bevan

The above 7 are in a different league.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Batters with the highest ODI averages in the No.3 spot

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Batters with the highest ODI averages in the No.3 spot

Imressive by Steve smith...

 

[mominsaigol]

Imressive by Steve smith...

Steve Smith in 2015 was the best batter on the world, By 2016 to 2020 he declined but overall he was still gun in odi and a test ATG.

Afterwards he fizzled out on whiteball. He's still good on red ball but he's no longer the Test monster he once was.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Steve Smith in 2015 was the best batter on the world, By 2016 to 2020 he declined but overall he was still gun in odi and a test ATG.

Afterwards he fizzled out on whiteball. He's still good on red ball but he's no longer the Test monster he once was.

yeah he is on the decline now! but for me it was surprising that he has an average of 50+ in ODI cricket

i never found him doing something extra ordinary in shorter format of cricket.

 

[Buffet]

What did Ab De Villiers win in ODI? No trophy. Always choked in knockout matches. SA never reached any final while he played.

Aravinda won 1996 WC. Inzi won 1992 WC. Aravinda and Inzi weren't just freeloaders; they contributed.

Lara won 2004 CT.

ABD was a bilateral and group stage specialist.

Inzzy was WC and final specialist, lol.

World cup:
Inzy avg 23 ( 35 matches ) - absolute minnow level performance

All finals:
Inzy avg 29 ( 35 finals games ) - Again minnow level performance.

For a batsman averaging in 20s in WC and finals with a such a large sample size, it's amzing how some posters hype a minnow level performance that too when comparing against a genuine ATG in ODI. AB > Day light > Inzzy

 

[Buffet]

Viv
SRT
Kohli
AB
Dhoni
Jones
Bevan
Sharma
Anwar/Jaya
Ponting

 

[sweep_shot]

Inzzy was WC and final specialist, lol.

World cup:
Inzy avg 23 ( 35 matches ) - absolute minnow level performance

All finals:
Inzy avg 29 ( 35 finals games ) - Again minnow level performance.

For a batsman averaging in 20s in WC and finals with a such a large sample size, it's amzing how some posters hype a minnow level performance that too when comparing against a genuine ATG in ODI. AB > Day light > Inzzy

1 final is probably worth 50 bilateral/group stage games.

Bilateral games are pretty meaningless.

 

[Buffet]

1 final is worth 100 bilateral/group stage games.

One knock can be rated high but player averaging 20 in 35 games in WC will be rated as a tailendar who played one good knock. Nothing more and nothing less. One knock was top class but Inzzy was extremely poor in WC.

 

[sweep_shot]

One knock can be rated high but player averaging 20 in 35 games in WC will be rated as a tailendar who played one good knock. Nothing more and nothing less. One kncok wasd top class but Inzzy was extremely poor in WC.

I think it is not fair to compare averages from that era with current era.

I say average of 30 from that era is like average of 40 in modern day cricket. There has been an inflation in average. I blame shorter boundaries, 2 new balls, and better bats for this inflation.

Also, averages don't always give us the full picture. It is about impact. Inzi was an impact player.

 

[Buffet]

I think it is not fair to compare averages from that era with current era.

I say average of 30 from that era is like average of 40 in modern day cricket. There has been an inflation in average. I blame shorter boundaries, 2 new balls, and better bats for this inflation.

Also, averages don't always give us the full picture. It is about impact. Inzi was an impact player.

Nah, performacne was minnow level in WC irrespecrtive of era.

Here is entire list of batsmen with 500 plus runs in WC from 1992 to 2007 ( Inzzy career )

 

[dravidthewall]

I started watching cricket from 1996.Didnt see viv bat,but still include him as he seems greatest ODI player.

Sachin tendulkar
Viv richards
Virat Kohli
Sanat Jayasuriya
Ricky pointing
Adam Gilchrist
MS dhoni
Rohit sharma
Brian Lara
Aravinda desilva

For me ABD is quite over rated...guy only performed in meaning less bilateral ODI.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saeed Anwar has to be on the list. He was a gun player.

Virat, sachin, VIV will also be on that list definitely.

 

[mominsaigol]

I started watching cricket from 1996.Didnt see viv bat,but still include him as he seems greatest ODI player.

Sachin tendulkar
Viv richards
Virat Kohli
Sanat Jayasuriya
Ricky pointing
Adam Gilchrist
MS dhoni
Rohit sharma
Brian Lara
Aravinda desilva

For me ABD is quite over rated...guy only performed in meaning less bilateral ODI.

De villers was a proper Aussie basher and was playing atg aussie bowling.

He made his debut in 2004 and since then till the end of his career he maintained an avg of 53 and sr of 101, that is no easy feat.

Even if it is bi laterals, no one can do what he did. 100 of 31 is an achievement at any stage, so is 166 of 66 lol

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

De villers was a proper Aussie basher and was playing atg aussie bowling.

He made his debut in 2004 and since then till the end of his career he maintained an avg of 53 and sr of 101, that is no easy feat.

Even if it is bi laterals, no one can do what he did. 100 of 31 is an achievement at any stage, so is 166 of 66 lol

How many of AB’s iconic knocks do you remember ?

He is an ATG for sure but lower than the likes of Richards, Kohli,Tendulkar.

Ab is above Ponting though who is highly overrated as an Odi batsman.

 

[mominsaigol]

How many of AB’s iconic knocks do you remember ?

He is an ATG for sure but lower than the likes of Richards, Kohli,Tendulkar.

Ab is above Ponting though who is highly overrated as an Odi batsman.

Wth? Heck no.

He is lower then the likes of Richards, Tendulkar, Kohli, But no way in hell is he > the likes of Ricky Pointing. What do you mean pointing is overrated as an odi bat?

Pointing is a superior no 3 to Kohli lol. If anything out of all the people you have mentioned Kohli is the most overrated, Since he only compares to Tendulkar and Viv in regards to chasing in Odi. He's no where close to them when batting first in Limited overs amd he for sure as heck isn't close to them in test cricket.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Wth? Heck no.

He is lower then the likes of Richards, Tendulkar, Kohli, But no way in hell is he > the likes of Ricky Pointing. What do you mean pointing is overrated as an odi bat?

Pointing is a superior no 3 to Kohli lol. If anything out of all the people you have mentioned Kohli is the most overrated, Since he only compares to Tendulkar and Viv in regards to chasing in Odi. He's no where close to them when batting first in Limited overs amd he for sure as heck isn't close to them in test cricket.

Heck,lol, wth,, do you have anything apart from these?

Post Kohlis stats batting first and you will get to know if they are better or worse.

Kohli has literally smashed the world cup record, is one of the greatest performers in Champions trophy and in Asia cup.

Compare Ponting stats to his contemporaries and you will get to know why he is overrated. I know that you and others around here will use that simpleton WC final century argument as your only retort but believe me stats paint the real picture. Kohli is miles ahead of Ponting who is on the same level as Saeed Anwar and Aravinda De Silva type players.

I will post a graph of their ratings and then you can decided.

 

[RidiculousMan]

1. Viv
2. Ab
3. Kohli

These are my top 3.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Viv
SRT
Kohli
AB
Dhoni
Jones
Bevan
Sharma
Anwar/Jaya
Ponting

I was comparing Mark Waughs career graph with Ponting in odis, his rating graph is better than Ponting.

Ponting in tests was great and number three after Tendulkar and Lara, but in Odis there are several players above him.

 

[TheSultan]

1. Viv Richards

Daylight

10. The rest

 

[Ab Fan]

Viv
Kohli
SRT
Ponting/ABD
ABD/Ponting

That's my top 5.

Viv's average and strike rate, even in today's time, looks top notch and he has a WC Final match winning hundred to his name.

Kohli's stats are unreal too and has a WC player of series but lacks a WC match winning hundred. He does have a 50 of note and a vital 35 in 2011 WC Final.

SRT is no.3, he will probably have better adjusted strike rate than Kohli in this era but he was a failure in WC Finals, which is why he is behind Viv and Kohli. Like those two, his stats are also unreal.

Ponting has a great ODI record and a match winning World Cup Final performance worth note and is a three times World Cup winner. He also played a good knock in 2011 WC QF vs India in losing cause. Like Tendulkar, he was top player of his era.

ABD is the only batsman to average 50+ and have strike rate of 100+. His stats are unreal and closest to Viv in terms of consistency+ destruction. He also has one of the best ever World Cup records with 1200+ runs, avg 60+ and SR 117. He doesn't have a World Cup Final representation which is why he is at no.5. He does have an excellent knock in World Cup knockout, i.e. 2015 Semi Final.

Rest all batsman may have some performance or other but they don't have unreal stats or weren't the #1 rated player during their era, hence can't be put in top 5.