Who Is the Best All-rounder in Cricket History? Stats and Achievements of the Top Picks

Best Cricket All-Rounders

So, who is the best all-rounder in cricket history? It’s a challenging call, right? Imagine trying to compare the modern  Bangladeshi talent Mehidy Hasan against the all-time legend, Sir Garfield Sobers. Just as crazy-time-game-bd.com offers to players is redefining the casinos space, this text will explain why these dual-skilled players are crucial for their teams and the role they played in redefining the game. You’ll also learn about the greatest all-rounders of all time, and we’ll spotlight the new “Genz” cricketers making the mark this year.

Why All-rounders Rule Cricket

Many Bangladeshis have asked us who exactly an all-rounder is in cricket and why they’re highly valued. Now, you can see for yourself. An all-rounder is a cricketer who improves the team’s chances of scoring runs by batting (attacking) and preventing the opposition from scoring by bowling and grabbing the wicket (defending). In turn, all-rounders lessen the pressure on teammates who are only good at bowling or batting.

They also strengthen the lineup (the list of players in a cricket team and the order in which they’ll bat) and secure crucial runs with batting. Likewise, their bowling skills help acquire key wickets and impact the game’s momentum. For context, a wicket is a set of three vertical sticks with two pieces of wood balanced at each end of the pitch.

Attributes of Successful All-rounders

By now, you’ve already figured out who an all-rounder is. It’s time to learn those traits that make them just as efficient:

Excellent batting skills

Good all-rounders don’t just know how to bat; they score runs consistently. We’ve seen them apply numerous batting strategies, like attacking upfront and building an innings. Building an innings might appear slow and impractical initially, but it’s one of the most strategic approaches an all-rounder has exhibited.

Let’s see how “building an innings” works. Assuming you’re an all-rounder,  you’ll study the ball’s movement and play safe shots to stay in the game for a long time. This technique allows you to accumulate many runs over time and ultimately increase your team’s scores. This contrasts with an aggressive approach where you attack the bowling from the outset.

Effective bowling skills

Most top all-rounders don’t just pick up bowling. They master the art of keeping the batsmen guessing by bowling at dynamic speeds. By doing so, these athletes take wickets consistently, stopping the other team from scoring.

Physical fitness

If you’ve ever watched a cricket match, you’ll find that all-rounders bat and bowl for extended hours on the field. That’s why they build their endurance and cardiovascular fitness through various drills like long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and rowing.

Adaptability

One thing we’ve noticed that also helps all-rounders is their flexibility. They adjust their batting and bowling strategies based on their team, the opposition, and the current condition of the game. These athletes are very thorough and practical about when to attack, defend, or help their teammates.

Emotional intelligence

All-rounders bowl and bat during the game’s tensest moments, requiring much self-awareness and social awareness. The pressure to outrank the specialist batters and bowlers on the opposition team, adapt to dual roles, and help the team score runs deep. More than other teammates, it takes a robust mental fortitude and focus to handle them. However, no matter what the situation demands, you’ll most likely see the all-rounders perform at their best.

Top 6 Criteria for Evaluating the Best All-rounders

Who is the best all-rounder in the cricket history? Our team of experts usually check these top 6 criteria to evaluate it:

Batting average should be higher than bowling average: Excellent all-rounders consistently score more runs (higher batting average) for the team than they concede per wicket (lower bowling average). In short, the batting average should be higher, while the bowling average must be lower.

Top all-rounders record a high number of runs scored and wickets taken: We also look at the number of runs scored and wickets taken throughout an all-rounder’s career. It shows optimum progress.

Top all-rounders contribute to team balance: Great all-rounders balance the team’s lineup. How’s that? Since they can bat and bowl, the coach doesn’t always need to pick as many specialist batters or bowlers as possible.

Great all-rounders often record successes in different match formats: Success in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) cricket also counts. Achieving a strategic middle ground between these match formats demonstrates their versatility and adaptability skills.

Best all-rounders have match-winning abilities: We pay close attention to how often cricketers have single-handedly won a game with their batting and bowling skills. Sometimes, it goes beyond stats. Do they step forward when their teams need them the most?

Finest all-rounders have long career in cricket: How long these players have stayed on the pitch matters, too. A long and successful career shows high sustained fitness, dexterity, and adaptability.

A Look at Cricket’s Greatest All-Rounders

Have you ever wondered who the most celebrated all-rounders in cricket are? We’ll explore them based on their stats, key strengths, milestones, etc.

Sir Garfield Sobers: The Greatest All-Rounder

We found that Sir Garfield Sobers was born in Barbados in 1936 (career spanning from 1954 to 1974. This top-notch player mesmerized audiences with diverse bowling styles, fielding, and batting techniques.

Sobers’ Career Statistics: Batting And Bowling Records

Here’s a look at Sobers’ bowling and batting records:

Key Performances And Milestones

The following table outlines Sobers’ watershed performances and milestones as an all-rounder:

Sobers’ Influence On The Game And Legacy In Cricket History

Sobers set the standard for what it meant to be a complete cricketer, excelling in every facet of the game. This cricket talent was a key figure in the dominant West Indies teams of the 1960s and early 1970s. In 2000, he was awarded the Wisden Cricketer of the Century award, cementing his place as one of the most influential players in cricket history. Interestingly, the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award is named after Sobers.

Jacques Kallis: The Modern All-Rounder

Jacques Kallis, born in South Africa in 1975, is considered the greatest all-rounder of the modern era. His career, which spanned 1995 to 2014, showcases his consistency and longevity.

Kallis’ Career Achievements In Both Formats

Kallis participated in both Test and ODI matches. Here’s a highlight of the historic moments:

A Statistical Breakdown Of Kallis’ Batting And Bowling Performances

The breakdown of Kallis’ performances as a skilled all-rounder are as follows:

Kallis’ Consistency And Longevity In International Cricket

Kallis’ international career lasted nearly two decades. He’s known for being consistent across all formats, often delivering crucial performances under pressure. Moreover, this legend was a team player. He constantly stabilised the South African team.

Kapil Dev: The Hero of Indian Cricket

Kapil Dev is by far the finest all-round cricketer India has ever produced. He played for nearly 16 years (1978 -1994), doubling as a strong right-handed bowler and batter. Dev’s leadership laid the groundwork for India’s victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. 27 years later, he was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame.

Statistical Highlights of Dev’s All-Rounder Performances

Do you know that Dev was the only player in test cricket history to have taken over 400 wickets and scored over 5000 runs? He also had the highest number of test wickets at the time of his retirement. Good luck with finding out more in the chart below:

Shakib Al Hasan: The Best All-Rounder Of The 21st Century

Shakib Al Hasan is the greatest cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced. His career spanned 17 years (2006-2024). He’s an aggressive left-handed batter who utilizes the slow left-arm unorthodox bowling style. Shakib has also held the number one all-rounder ranking from the ICC multiple times throughout his career.

Comparative Statistics Of Shakib’s All-Round Performances

Notably, Shakib’s batting averages are consistently higher than his bowling averages, showcasing his exceptional all-round ability:

Shakib’s Impact On Bangladesh Cricket And His Global Standing

Based on our checks, Shakib has consistently performed against top-tier cricketing nations from around the world, including Australia, England, India, South Africa, and others, in major ICC tournaments and bilateral series. His performances in the World Cup and against the best teams in the world have solidified his standing as one of the best all-rounders of the 21st century.

Did you know that Shakib has 700 wickets and 14,000 runs to his name in international cricket? He first achieved double the 2000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs, becoming the only Bangladeshi all-rounder to have secured more than 300 wickets. Shakib also has the most runs and wickets for the side in T20Is, a record unlikely to be surpassed by any Bangladesh cricketer shortly.

Ian Botham: England’s Iconic All-Rounder

Ian Terence Botham, also known as “Beefy,” was a renowned English all-rounder in the late 1970s and 1980s. His swashbuckling batting, aggressive bowling, and charismatic personality distinguished him as one of the most exceptional cricketers.

Botham’s Contributions In Both Batting And Bowling

Botham was an assertive and aggressive right-handed batter. He could change the course of a match with his attacking stroke play. Botham scored quick runs, often putting pressure on opposition bowlers. On the other hand, he’s a right-arm fast-medium bowler. Botham can swing the ball both ways and take wickets at crucial times.

Key moments in Botham’s career: Tests, ODIs, and Ashes series

Here are key moments in this top-tier player’s career:

Botham’s Leadership And Personality On And Off The Field

Botham’s leadership style and personality on and off the pitch are pretty similar:

After retiring from professional cricket, Botham transitioned into a successful career as a cricket commentator, where his insightful opinions continued to captivate audiences.

Other Notable All-Rounders in Cricket

Beyond the primary comparisons, other incredible all-rounders in cricket history deserve some plaudits:

Richard Hadlee

Let’s not forget that New Zealand legend Adele could also bowl with his right arm and bat using his left hand. However, he’s better at bowling, which explains why he’s deemed one of the fastest bowlers of all time. Hadlee was the first to add 400 Test tickets to his collection, with an impressive average of 22.29 (more details later). He had a long and successful career from 1971 to 1990, which is 19 years. Hadlee was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

Imran Khan

Just so you know, the Pakistani all-rounder was a charismatic leader and a brilliant cricketer. Like Hadlee, he’s also a fast bowler and a capable batter. Khan led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup. His leadership and dedication to the sport and his country are spot-on.

How Each Player Shaped Cricket And Their Lasting Legacies

Seeing how each all-rounder has molded the cricket we love today is fantastic. Here’s a couple of key ways they left their mark:

• These sports icons inspired generations of cricketers and fans with incredible batting and bowling records.
• They also exhibited exemplary charismatic and leadership qualities through their influence on team dynamics.

Head-To-Head Comparison Of The Top All-Rounders’ Stats: The Quest For The Greatest All-Rounder Of All Time

If you’ve been following, you’ll notice that numbers highlight the achievements of these cricketers. We’ll also do that here, focusing on how they performed in crucial formats.

Batting Averages, Bowling Averages, Centuries, And Wickets Taken

Here’s a breakdown of their stats across Test Wickets, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20ls):

Test Cricket

ODI

T20Is

Who Stands out in Various Formats (Tests, ODIs, T20s)?

Who is the best all-rounder in the world in cricket history? This is a subjective one. However, we’ll try to check the facts based on the various formats in which they’ve participated:

• Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis shone with the bat in the Tests.
• Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, and Ian Botham dominated the ball in Tests.
• Jacques Kallis showcased remarkable batting consistency in ODIs.
• Shakib Al Hasan has the most wickets in ODIs among this group and stood out as an all-rounder in T20Is.
• Kapil Dev was a significant wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs and had an aggressive batting approach in ODIs.
• Shakib was the only player in T20IS, establishing his value as a solid all-rounder.

In this case, there isn’t an undisputed candidate for the best all-rounder in cricket history. It’s because each player showcased their unique strengths in both formats.

Impact of All-Rounders on Modern Cricket at a Glance

The role of all-rounders has changed compared to the past. They used to specialize either as bowlers or batters. However, modern cricket demands that both skills be used. The growth of shorter formats drove this change, which has made all-rounders even more crucial.

Why All-rounders are Important in  Short Formats

All-rounders inject balance and flexibility into their teams, so they’re must-haves. Here’s why how this works:

• Strategic Arsenal: All-rounders give the captain more options to attack and defend due to their versatility, and they’re also good at stopping the opposition team from working together to score more runs.
• Resource Management: These players provide vital cover when a specialist bowler or batter falters.

Future Prospects for the Next Generation of All-rounders

From what we’ve gathered, the future of all-rounders in cricket looks bright, with promising prospects like Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Jaker Ali (Bangladesh), Hardik Pandya (India), and Glenn Maxwell (Australia) ruling modern cricket. It’s easy to understand why. Technological trends like speed guns and ball trackers might be driving the development of multi-skilled cricketers.

Assuming you’re a budding all-rounder, you can use the speed guns to measure your bowling speed during rehearsals. Likewise, ball trackers help you analyze the ball’s movements. This way, you can identify and work on your weaknesses.

Who Is The Best Cricket All-Rounder In 2025?

As of April 8, 2025, Azmatullah Omarzai currently leads the pack, followed by Mohammed Nabi Sikandar Raza, and  Mehidy Hasan based on ICC world rankings for Men’s All-Rounder One Day Internationals (ODI). Here’s a table highlighting the 10 all-rounder toppers:

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacies of the Global Cricket Legends

Jacques Kallis has remarkable stats as the most superb all-rounder in cricket history due to his double of 10,000+ runs and 250+ wickets in both Tests and ODIs. Sir Garfield Sobers dominated all facets of the game with unique batting and bowling styles. Imran Khan and Kapil Dev’s leadership and World Cup-winning contributions also place them in strong contention. According to the ICC rankings for  Men’s All-Rounder One Day Internationals,  Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammed Nabi,  Sikandar Raza, and Mehidy Hasan currently stand out.

Ultimately, the “best” remains a question of individual preference. What matters is that these cricketers will continue to inspire contemporary generations.