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All-rounders are always a vital part of any cricket team, providing balance by contributing with both the bat and the ball. Over the years, several exceptional cricketers have emerged as game-changers, performing brilliantly in both departments.
These players have the rare ability to dominate games single-handedly, making them valuable assets to their respective teams.
Whether changing the game with a blistering knock or breaking crucial partnerships with the ball, all-rounders are known to come up with exceptional performances.
On that note, let us take a look at the top 10 greatest men's ODI all-rounders of all time.
Top 10 greatest men's ODI all-rounders of all time
#10 Hansie Cronje (South Africa)
Hansie Cronje's captaincy and cricketing brilliance made him a key figure in South Africa's resurgence in international cricket during the 1990s. Known for his tactical acumen and consistency, Cronje was as much a threat with the ball as he was with the bat.
In 188 ODIs, Cronje amassed 5,565 runs at a solid average of 38.64, including 39 half-centuries and two centuries. As a bowler, his 114 wickets came at an average of 34.78, with his ability to provide breakthroughs proving invaluable to the Proteas.
However, his career ended in controversy due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, tarnishing his otherwise brilliant legacy.
#9 Andrew Flintoff (England)
Fondly known as "Freddie," Andrew Flintoff was a fan favorite due to his aggressive bowling and powerful lower-order batting. Flintoff’s numbers - 3,394 runs at an average of 32.01, and 169 wickets at a stellar bowling average of 24.38 show how vital he was to England's success in the early 2000s.
His highest ODI score of 123 coupled with his ability to bowl fast and deliver key wickets made him one of England’s most dependable all-rounders. Despite injuries cutting his career short, Flintoff left a lasting mark on the game with his heroic performances, particularly during the 2005 Ashes series.
#8 Shane Watson (Australia)
Australia's Shane Watson was a powerhouse with both the bat and the ball, often rescuing his team from tricky situations. Watson initially started as a bowling all-rounder but grew into one of the most devastating openers in limited-overs cricket.
In 190 ODIs, Watson scored 5,757 runs at an average of 40.54 with nine centuries and 33 fifties. His stunning 185* off 96 balls against Bangladesh remains one of the most explosive knocks in ODI history. As a bowler, Watson took 168 wickets at an average of 31.79, often delivering crucial overs in tight situations. His hard-hitting ability and swing bowling earned him the tag of a complete all-rounder.
#7 Kapil Dev (India)
Kapil Dev is an icon of Indian cricket and undoubtedly the greatest all-rounder the country has produced. His leadership and all-round capabilities famously took India to their first World Cup title in 1983, a moment forever etched in cricket history.
In 225 ODIs, Kapil amassed 3,783 runs at an average of 23.79, with one century and 14 fifties. Known for his ability to change the course of a game, his strike rate of over 95 was considered remarkable for that era. As a fast bowler, Kapil claimed 253 wickets at an average of 27.45, often carrying India's bowling attack on his shoulders, especially on unhelpful Indian pitches.
#6 Imran Khan (Pakistan)
Imran Khan, the man who led Pakistan to World Cup glory in 1992, was a master tactician and a highly skilled all-rounder. With the ball, Imran was a fearsome fast bowler, claiming 182 wickets at a respectable average of 26.61.
His finest moments often came with the bat, especially during Pakistan's World Cup-winning campaign where he scored 72 in the final, leading his team from the front.
In total, Imran tallied 3,709 runs at an average of 33.41, including one century and 19 half-centuries. His leadership qualities, coupled with his prowess as both a batter and bowler, make him one of cricket's all-time greats.
#5 Lance Klusener (South Africa)
Lance Klusener was known for his powerful hitting and match-winning ability in the lower order, especially during the 1999 World Cup. With a strike rate of 89.91, Klusener's 3,576 ODI runs came at an impressive average of 41.10, which is exceptional for a lower-order batter.
He also picked up 192 wickets at an average of 29.95, proving his value as a bowler in addition to his incredible batting skills. His performances in the 1999 World Cup, where he nearly carried South Africa to the final, earned him the Player of the Tournament award and sealed his reputation as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.
#4 Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Few cricketers have managed to capture the imagination of fans worldwide quite like Shahid Afridi. His explosive batting and lethal leg-spin earned him the nickname "Boom Boom" Afridi. In his 398 ODIs, Afridi scored 8,064 runs with a strike rate of 117, including six centuries and 39 fifties. However, his ODI batting average of 23.57 reflects his high-risk batting style.
Afridi also shone with the ball, taking 395 wickets at an average of 34.51 with an economy rate of 4.62. His record of 351 sixes in ODIs remains the highest in the format, a testament to his unmatched power-hitting.
#3 Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Shakib Al Hasan has been the torchbearer for Bangladesh cricket and is undoubtedly one of the most influential all-rounders of his generation. A true one-man army, Shakib has single-handedly carried Bangladesh to many of their famous wins.
In 247 ODIs, Shakib has scored 7,570 runs at an impressive average of 37.29, with nine centuries and 56 half-centuries. As a bowler, Shakib's left-arm spin has earned him 317 wickets at an average of 29.79 with an economy rate of 4.46. His ability to dominate both with the bat and the ball, while consistently performing across formats, makes him one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.
#2 Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis is regarded by many as the greatest all-rounder since Sir Garfield Sobers. He was a pillar of South African cricket for over a decade, scoring 11,579 runs in 328 ODIs at a remarkable average of 44.36, with 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries.
Kallis was also a formidable seam bowler, picking up 273 wickets at an average of 31.79, often breaking key partnerships. His ability to seamlessly switch between roles as a top-order batter and a reliable bowler made him indispensable for the Proteas. Kallis’ remarkable consistency in both disciplines earned him widespread recognition as one of the finest all-rounders in history.
#1 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized the role of an opener in ODIs, particularly during Sri Lanka's World Cup triumph in 1996. With his aggressive batting style, Jayasuriya set the tone for modern-day openers, smashing boundaries from the first ball.
He scored 13,430 runs in 445 ODIs at a strike rate of 91.20, with 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. Jayasuriya was also a highly effective left-arm spinner, taking 323 wickets at an average of 36.75. He remains the only cricketer in ODI history to score over 13,000 runs and take more than 300 wickets, establishing himself as probably the greatest ODI all-rounder.
