Top 10 World Best All Rounder Cricket Players In History

We are confident that you will have at least one of the few exceptional world best all-rounder in cricket in your favorites. In the history of cricket, there have been only a few players who have dominated the field with their overall performance throughout their careers. It is rare to find players who excel in both batting and bowling skills.

These exceptional players have not only made a name for themselves by being the best all rounder in cricket history but also brought glory to their respective countries. Hence, we present to you the top ten world best all rounder in cricket. Check out who is India’s best all rounder in this blog. Stay tuned till the end. 

Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers was a true all-rounder, with a boon of skills with both the bat and the ball, The fact that Sobers was virtually three players in one, made him the world’s best all rounder in cricket. He was proficient at both fast-medium and spin bowling. The West Indies team initially selected Sobers as a spin bowler and frequently placed him in a lower batting order. He eventually amassed 235 releases at a 34.03 average.

The West Indies team initially selected Sobers as a spin bowler and frequently placed him in a lower batting order. His batting average of 57.78 ranks as the 10th highest of all time and is comparable to all other batsmen, with the exception of the famous Sir Donald Bradman.

 He recorded 30 half-centuries and 26 centuries. His most notable achievement in all-rounder cricket is still his 365-not-out score against Pakistan in 1958.

Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis has become the world’s best all-rounder in cricket due to his exceptional scores of highest runs for more than 10,000, 250 wickets, and 338 catches. Similarly, he has also scored the most Man of the Match honors in Test Cricket. He raised the bar so high for all-rounders that their batting and bowling statistics are comparable to those of full-fledged batsmen and bowlers.

In his long 19-year career, which spanned from 1995 to 2014, he surpassed all other all-rounders that have played the game. Kallis had several outstanding IPL seasons in addition to a very successful T20I career. Specifically, in all rounder cricket, his impressive record speaks for itself.

Kapil Dev

When it comes to identifying best all rounder in cricket history in India. There is no other name that pops in the mind than Kapil Dev. His outstanding performances with both the bat and the ball are impressive, especially his contribution to India’s 1983 World Cup victory.

Kapil Dev is the only player in Test history to have scored 5000 runs and taken 400 wickets. Considered the best ODI innings ever played by an Indian, his remarkable performance against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup rescued India from a risky score of 17 for 5, scoring 175 runs from just 138 balls. Even today, players worldwide consider Kapil Dev as India’s best all rounder.

Imran Khan

Imran Khan is considered the best all rounder of all time hailing from Pakistan. The list of all-time great all-rounders ranks him third. Sobers was an exceptional cricketer who excelled as both a bowler and a batsman. With 362 test wickets at 22.81 and an average of 37.69 with the bat, he achieved the all-rounder’s triple, a feat only accomplished by eight players, including himself. Sobers’ versatility and talent make him one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

See Also: most wickets in international cricket

However, after retiring from cricket at the age of 39, Khan was involved in various high-profile political and social service organizations. In 1992, he led Pakistan to their first-ever World Cup victory, a significant achievement in the nation’s sporting history.

Sir Lan Botham

Lan Botham is considered a true England all rounder cricket player among cricket fans. Sir Ian Botham made a remarkable comeback in 1981, leading England to victory almost single-handedly. He scored an unbeaten 149* in the second innings and took 6 wickets for 50 runs in the first after losing at Lord’s and resigning as captain before transferring to Headingley.

Botham was a right-arm all-rounder who amassed more than 7000 runs and 500 wickets in international play. He always filled his performances with passion and energy and motivated the crowd with his sheer determination and skill. He was an exceptional player who could change the course of a game with his performance, both with the bat and the ball. Botham is a legend in cricket, and his legacy is an inspiration for cricket players around the world.

Richard Hadlee

Richard Hadlee is one of New Zealand’s best all rounder in cricket history. He was awarded a knighthood in 1990 for his contributions to the sport. He set a world record of 431 wickets at an average of 22.29, which stood for almost two decades, making him primarily known for his bowling.

Hadlee, a renowned bowler, is still considered among the greatest of all time. He improved his game by shortening his run-up and focusing on ball movement. He also had an impressive batting record, with an average of 27.16 and two centuries, and 15 half-centuries. His exceptional skills earned him a spot in the national team, where he established himself as a top performer.

Keith Miller

Keith Miller is a legendary Australian all rounder and arguably the best cricket player from the post-World War II era.  Miller is most famous for his quick opening bowler along with his partner Ray Lindwall. It was one of the greatest test-match opening bowling partnerships. He finished with 170 total wickets, with an average of 22.97.

Keith Miller was not only a formidable batsman, scoring 2958 runs at an average of 36.97, including seven centuries and 13 half-centuries, but he was also a skilled bowler. Known for his range of shots, Miller was a traditional batsman who could outplay the opposition to win a match. Furthermore, people considered him an all-rounder in both batting and bowling. However, his relationship with the ball and the bat made him a true all-rounder which is truly commendable.

Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounder, with an unparalleled legacy. He’s been among the most reliable all-rounders globally, topping the ICC rankings for ODI all-rounders and consistently moving up in Test and T20I rankings.

Since his international debut in 2006, Shakib has gathered more than 11,000 runs and more than 500 wickets for Bangladesh. He has also led Bangladesh as captain in all three formats and has made a vital contribution to the growth of Bangladesh cricket. Moreover, his IPL victory with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014 has raised his career to new heights.

At the young age of 35, Shakib is still recognized as one of the best all-rounders in the world, with his left-arm spin and batting prowess making him a key player for any team he represents.

Andrew Flintoff

The 2000s’ living legend of all rounder cricket from England was Andrew Flintoff, commonly known as Freddy Flintoff. He’s famous for his bravery in the 2005 Ashes series, where he helped England beat the world’s best team and win the trophy after almost two decades.

Flintoff was a fast bowler who could reach speeds of over 140 kph and claimed 226 wickets at an average of 32.78. He was also a competent batsman who could score runs quickly, averaging 31.07, with five hundred and 26 half-centuries. However, his true worth to the team cannot be expressed in numbers alone.

See Also: Highest runs in test cricket

Shaun Pollock

The title of the best all-rounder in the world belongs to Shaun Pollock, from South Africa. This country has delivered several top all-rounders over the years. Pollock, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, was more fierce with the ball than with the bat. Despite coming from a family of great cricketers, Shaun stood out the most among the Pollock siblings. His international batting record of 7,386 runs may not be outstanding, but it is worth noting that he mostly batted in positions 7 and 8.

Pollock was a master of explosive swing, excellent line, and length, and he could easily demolish the opposition’s batting. With a total of 829 wickets, he is ranked sixth among all-time leading wicket-takers in international cricket. Post the Hansie Cronje scandal, he captained the national team and showcased his leadership. Pollock briefly played IPL for Mumbai Indians before coaching the team.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to understand that this is a subjective list of the best all rounder in cricket history and that there have been many more world best all rounder in cricket over the years. No doubt these players have given their blood, sweat, and tears to be inspirational and prominent in all rounder cricket. We definitely value their hard work and sporting spirit.

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