The current scenario concerning ODI cricket is that matches are happening far and few. But it was one of the most sought-after formats not so long ago.
Many cricket legends made their name by excelling in the longest form of white-ball cricket. While the popularity of ODIs may have taken a hit, the 50-overs World Cup is still the most prestigious tournament in all of cricket.
So who are the players that made the format what it is? We will find out in this article featuring the players with the most number of ODI games. Unsurprisingly, this list features players who were active in bygone eras, as currently, T20s have taken center stage.
Most Capped Players in ODI Cricket
| Player | Mat | Runs | Wickets Taken | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 463 | 18426 | 154 | 1989-2012 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 448 | 12650 | 8 | 1998-2015 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 445 | 13430 | 323 | 1989-2011 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 404 | 14234 | – | 2000-2015 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 398 | 8064 | 395 | 1996-2015 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) | 378 | 11739 | 3 | 1991-2007 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 375 | 13704 | 3 | 1995-2012 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | 356 | 3717 | 502 | 1984-2003 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 350 | 10773 | 1 | 2004-2019 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 350 | 674 | 534 | 1993-2011 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | 344 | 10889 | 4 | 1996-2011 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin (IND) | 334 | 9378 | 12 | 1985-2000 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) | 330 | 10290 | 106 | 1999-2016 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | 328 | 11579 | 273 | 1996-2014 |
| Steve Waugh (AUS) | 325 | 7569 | 195 | 1986-2002 |
Key Insights on Most Capped Players in ODI Cricket
Most Appearances in ODIs
Sachin Tendulkar has played the most matches in ODI cricket, turning up for India in 463 fixtures.
There are three more players who have played more than 400 ODIs and they are Mahela Jayawardene (448), Sanath Jayasuriya (445) and Kumar Sangakkara (404), all from Sri Lanka.
In all, 22 players have featured in 300 or more ODIs. India’s Rohit Sharma is next in line to join this exclusive club.
Of the 22, only five players are non-Asians. Australia’s Ricky Ponting (375) leads the pack, followed by South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (328), Australia’s Steve Waugh (325), South Africa’s Shaun Pollock (303) and West Indies’ Chris Gayle (301).
Most ODI Matches by Venue and Home/Away Conditions
Allan Border played 177 matches in Australia, the most by a player at home in ODIs.
Jayawardene played 164 of his 448 games in away conditions, the most by a player in ODIs.
Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim has played the most matches at a single venue in ODIs, with 96 appearances at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Most ODI Appearances by Opponent and Year
Jayasuriya made 89 appearances against India, the most by a player against a team in ODIs.
Jayasuriya is the only player to play 80-plus matches against two teams in ODIs, with his other instance coming against Pakistan (82 matches).
India’s Rahul Dravid has played the most matches in a calendar year in ODIs, with 43 appearances in 1999.
India’s Sourav Ganguly (1999), South Africa’s Lance Klusener (2000) and Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf (2000), 41 each, are the other players to feature in more than 40 ODIs in a year.
Batting and Bowling Milestones in ODIs
Tendulkar’s 18426 runs are the most by a batter in ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, meanwhile, has taken the most wickets in ODIs, with 534 scalps in 350 appearances.
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