Who is the Best Cricketer in the History of Cricket?

Widely regarded as the best cricketer of all-time, the late Sir Donald achieved legendary status in Australia with his ‘century of centuries’ and a near-perfect Test batting average of 99.94.

In more than 70 years since his retirement, no other batsman has come close.

In Tests, Sir Don still holds the record for the highest career batting average (99.94%), the highest ratio of innings to centuries (36.25%) and the most double 100s (12).

He was also rated the Cricketer of the Year by Wisden in 1931.

To put Sir Donald Bradman’s performances into context, the next-highest career Test batting average is retired Australian batsman Adam Voges with 61.87.

• Holds the best rate for converting 50s to 100s (29 centuries from 42 innings of 50-plus)
• Took the fewest Test innings to reach 2,000 runs (22 innings), 3,000 runs (33 innings), 4,000 runs (48 innings), 5,000 runs (56 innings) and 6,000 runs (68 innings).

Australian cricketer Sir Don Bradman//Getty Images

Former Indian international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar was nicknamed the Little Master and his statistics are proof of his mastery with a bat in his hands.

His records and accolades are also a testament to his legacy and influence in cricket.

In addition to national honours, Tendulkar was part of India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup victory and was listed in the ICC’s World Test XI for three years running (2009, 2010 and 2011).

The Indian icon earned his place in the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.

Tendulkar was also the first batter to surpass 15,000 Test cricket runs, the first player to reach 10,000 runs in ODIs, and top-scored in the 1996 and 2003 Cricket World Cups.

• Has received the most Player of the Match awards in international cricket
• Is the only batsman to have scored 100 international centuries.

The imposing South African entered a class of his own as the only cricketer to score more than 10,000 runs and also take more than 250 wickets in both Tests and ODIs.

Kallis, a right-handed all-rounder, was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2020.

Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in South Africa winning the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy win and was also declared the Player of the Tournament.

The ICC also declared Jacques Kallis as the 2005 Player of the Year.

The South African’s consistency as a middle order batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler is reflected in his respectable averages and total wickets.

Has the most Player of the Match awards in Test cricket history (23)

• Scored his 45th Test century in his retirement game against India in 2013.

West Indian legend Brian Lara is probably best known for his mammoth scoring records, scoring an unbeaten 400 against England in 2004 during a Test match.

He also set a record for first-class cricket with 501* for Warwickshire in 1994.

The Trinidadian boasted excellent hand control and timing, with a wide stance at the crease and his characteristic backlift creating more power for his shots.

At the crease, Lara was rated among the most fearsome batsmen to play against.

He was also part of the West Indies squad that claimed the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy and was inducted into the cricket body’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

• Has the highest runs in first-class cricket (501 for Warwickshire against Durham)
• Held the record for the most runs in a single Test match over for 19 years after hitting South Africa’s Robin Peterson for 28.

While many recognise AB de Villiers from his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his starring role for the Proteas made him a South African legend.

The right-hander is among his country’s most decorated cricketers.

De Villiers was the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times, was named in Wisden’s cricketers of the decade in 2019, and has topped the Test and ODI rankings.

His innovative and unorthodox style made ABD tricky to bowl and set fields to.

Notably able to play the ball in 360 degrees, de Villiers is among the elite list of players to have averaged above 50 in Tests and ODIs and holds multiple records.

• Earned the nickname ‘Mr 360’ for his ability to score in any direction
• Scored the fastest ODI 50 (16 balls), fastest ODI century (31 balls) and fastest ODI 150 (62 balls).

The late Australian legend is often hailed as reigniting the art of leg spin, able to turn the ball like he did for the ‘Ball of the Century’ which pitched outside leg but cut back almost impossibly to hit Mike Gatting’s off stump.

It has been claimed that Shane Warne’s strong wrists were the secret to his success.

Whichever way, The King of Spin recorded some vital performances in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, including figures of 4/33 in the final victory over Pakistan.

Up until 2007, Warne also held the record for the most Test wickets (708).

Following his death in 2022 at 52 years old, the Australian icon was mourned by his former teammates and his former opposition alike.

• In addition to his bowling, Warne also scored over 3,000 Test runs
• Made 125 catches as a slip fielder - among the most in Test cricket history.

There is a reason Chris Gayle is among the most fearsome batsmen - when the West Indies icon strikes the ball, it stays struck and goes a long, long way.

His ability to hit boundaries helped coin the fan term ‘Gayle Storm’.

As the most capped player in West Indies cricket, Gayle is the only player to achieve a triple hundred in Tests, a double hundred in ODIs, and a hundred in T20s.

As his reputation suggests, the big man has also hit more than 1,000 T20 sixes.

Gayle was also pivotal for the West Indies in claiming the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2012 and 2016 editions of the T20 World Cup.

He played his last international match in 2021 but is yet to formally retire from cricket.

• Is the leading run scorer for West Indies in ODIs and T20s
• Scored 215 in an ODI against Zimbabwe, the highest by a left-handed batsman.

The Indian top-order batsman was once described by Wisden as the most exciting opener in the world, with iconic coach Bob Woolmer hailing him as a ‘sophisticated slugger’.

No matter the situation, Virender Sehwag always brought the fight to bowlers.

He represented India in their wins in the 2002 Champions Trophy, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2010 Asia Cup.

Sehwag is also one of four batsmen to surpass 300 in Test cricket twice.

He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023 but has continued to serve the sport as a member of India’s National Anti Doping Agency.

• Was the first Indian recognised by Wisden as the Leading Cricketer in the World
• One of only four batsmen in the world to have scored above 300 in Tests twice.

Boasting 270-million followers on Instagram and legions of fans watching him at stadiums, Virat Kohli is ranked as the most popular cricketer in the world.

However, his social media presence does not eclipse his batting pedigree.

Among stats validating Kohli’s presence among cricket’s greatest players, he has the most centuries in ODIs and was named as the ICC men’s player of the decade.

The Indian legend announced his retirement from T20Is in 2024.

He would look back with pride at being part of the squads that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

• Holds third place for the top run-scorer in T20 and ODI internationals
• Has the most ODI centuries and the second-most international centuries in history.

Virat Kohli of India celebrates with the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup//Getty Images