Discover the most famous cricketer in the world ever and his remarkable achievements in international cricket. Also, explore the top 10 most popular cricketers globally.
Top 5 Most Famous Cricketers in the World
| Serial No. | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India |
| 2 | MS Dhoni | India |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India |
| 4 | AB de Villiers | South Africa |
| 5 | Chris Gayle | West Indies |
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Widely regarded as the greatest cricketer of all time, Sachin Tendulkar carried the hopes of a cricket-loving nation that both worshipped and criticized its players intensely. From his Test debut in 1989 to his final match in 2013, he shouldered the expectations of millions, establishing himself as the leading batsman for nearly three decades.
One of Tendulkar’s greatest accomplishments was managing the immense expectations of Indian fans while delivering memorable performances. Two of his iconic innings include an unbeaten double century against South Africa in 2010 and his sensational knocks during the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy in Sharjah in 1998, famously known as the “Desert Storm” innings.
In Test matches, Tendulkar amassed an astonishing 15,921 runs, while in One Day Internationals (ODIs) he scored 18,426 runs. With 51 Test centuries and 49 ODI centuries, he is the only player to achieve a total of 100 centuries across formats. Additionally, he was the first player to reach 10,000 ODI runs and the first to score a double century in ODIs.
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2. MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, affectionately known as “Captain Cool,” is the only Indian captain to have won all ICC trophies. His composed leadership in high-pressure situations made him a role model for aspiring cricketers. Dhoni, an unconventional wicketkeeper-batsman, led India from 2004 to 2019.
Dhoni’s leadership peaked in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup when he guided India to their first ODI World Cup title in 28 years. His smart decisions played a key role in helping players like Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Yuvraj retire with a World Cup victory.
Dhoni scored 10,773 runs in ODIs and 4,876 runs in Tests. One of his best innings was the iconic 91-run knock in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka. He also showcased his brilliance as captain during the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, which India won. Dhoni holds a unique record of winning the World Cup, World Twenty20, and Champions Trophy as captain and has the most not-outs in ODIs, many of which ended in victories for India.
3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, known as the “Chase Master” and “King of Cricket,” is one of today’s most popular cricketers with a huge fan base. Though not the sole batting hope like Tendulkar, Kohli has delivered iconic performances, such as his 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, an unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in 2011, and his unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Kohli’s hunger for runs is unmatched, with 8,676 runs in Test matches, 13,848 in ODIs, and 4,008 in T20Is. He is the highest run-scorer in T20Is and has surpassed Tendulkar with 50 ODI centuries. Kohli also has 29 centuries in Test cricket.
Kohli’s consistency reached its peak in 2018 when he scored over 2,500 runs across all formats. As captain, India spent 42 months as the number one Test team. He holds several unique records, including being the fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in ODIs.
4. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, also known as “Mr. 360” for his all-around shot-making, is one of the few cricketers admired worldwide. He combined explosive batting with an inventive approach to hit shots in all areas of the field.
De Villiers scored 8,765 runs in Tests, 9,577 runs in ODIs, and 1,672 runs in T20Is. He played all batting positions, from an opener to number eight. De Villiers made 22 Test centuries and 25 ODI centuries, proving his impact was more than just runs.
Two of his most memorable innings are an unbeaten 278 against Pakistan in 2010, which remains the highest individual score by a South African, and his 66-ball 162 not out against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup. He holds the record for the fastest ODI century (31 balls), the fastest fifty, and the fastest 150 in ODIs.
5. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle, known as the “Universe Boss,” gained worldwide popularity for his powerful hitting and flamboyant style. Gayle has scored 7,214 runs in Tests, 10,480 in ODIs, and 1,899 in T20Is.
With 15 centuries in Tests and 25 in ODIs, Gayle was an ideal fit for the shorter formats but also demonstrated his ability in Test cricket. Notable innings include his 333 runs against Sri Lanka in 2010, the highest individual score by a West Indian, and his match-saving 165 against Australia in 2009.
Gayle is particularly renowned for his performances in T20s, where he holds the record for the highest individual score (175 not out) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His 117 off 57 balls in the 2016 T20 World Cup was among the best performances in T20 World Cup history. He is also the only player to score a triple century in Tests, a double century in ODIs, and a century in T20Is.
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